What’s happening at West Memorial Park?

     Friends have been getting a lot of questions about the earth-scaping along Omaha Street at the intersection with West Boulevard.      During a big SD DOT project improving Omaha Street surface, sewer and storm water connections, the area has been used to stage equipment and materials.      But the exciting work began in march: the West Memorial Park Improvements … Read More

Picture the Rapid Creek Greenway

Friends of Rapid City Parks are looking for great pictures from our park system. A high school photo contest last year produced some beautiful images of Rapid Creek and local parks. This year we are calling all photographers. The photo contest, open to the public, begins in conjunction with the walk and ends Sept. 8. There will be a public … Read More

Public Library and Journey Museum Observe 45th Flood Anniversary

Rapid City—The Rapid City Public Library and The Journey Museum will feature June events that tell the story of the 1972 Black Hills Flood. Sunday, June 4, Alexa White of Pennington County Emergency Management will talk about flood response in 1972 and today. Don Barnett, who was mayor of Rapid City in 1972, will describe the city’s actions during and … Read More

Meet Our 2017 Board Members

Steve McCarthy founded Friends of Rapid City Parks in 2004 to defend the greenway along Rapid Creek from development. He has led citizens in actions to stop proposed developments at Braeburn Park and other sites along Rapid Creek. He served on a citizens committee to revise floodplain development policy for Rapid City. A supporter of the arts, historic preservation and … Read More

High school photographers picture our parks

As a way to reach the next generation with our message of protecting Rapid City’s parks, our intern suggested we sponsor a photo contest with prizes. We did, and we share the results with you here. A weekly winner was chosen during May based on “Likes” on our Facebook page, and a grand prize winner was selected by a group … Read More

Give the parks a little love before Valentine’s Day

The Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking public comment on proposed improvements to Founders Park North. Comments must be received by Friday, February 13. This area north of Rapid Creek, across from Founders Park, is slated for development to enhance a variety of uses, interpretation, connectivity to bike paths and trails, and improvements to vegetation. Friends of Rapid City … Read More

Keep Your Word

That’s what we are telling the Rapid City Common Council. You can add your voice by signing this petition, by attending Monday’s meeting and speaking out during general comments, or by writing, calling, or emailing your member of the council. Council members John Roberts, Steve Laurenti, and Darla Drew Lerdahl believe the council should honor the agreement to take out … Read More

Death by incremental asphalt

Just a little here, a little there. It’s for a good cause, you know. And that is how Rapid City will destroy the Memorial Greenway. The latest incursion on the park that was designated to honor those who died in the 1972 Black Hils Flood, and to create green, natural boundaries along Rapid Creek that serve as flood prevention, public … Read More