After nine months of documentation, background research, public meetings, drafts and revisions, the final product of the Rapid City Comprehensive Plan update is on its way to decision makers. An important guiding tool such as this would usually be kept up to date every five to 10 years, but aside from some subsections, our city’s plan has not been refreshed … Read More
Omaha Street Reconstruction Planned for 2016
The Rapid Creek greenway and the creek itself may gain some benefits from planned improvements to Omaha Street from Mountain View Road to 12th Street. The main purpose of the project, outlined Monday night at a public meeting in city hall, is to upgrade the road surface, which according to project engineers, “is at the end of its useful life.” … Read More
Rapid City’s Ribbon of Green: the Million Dollar View
The value of Nature works not just for tree huggers. In this recent post on Houzz, Mitchell Parker explains why green space enhances our health, well-being, and our pocketbooks. Those who attended talks by parks and economic development expert John Crompton in Rapid City in 2012 and 2013 may recall hearing about many of the same studies. We enjoyed reading … Read More
Bike Path interpretive signs to get tech update
When Friends of Rapid City parks hosts the second annual “Memory Walk” this Sunday to commemorate the 1972 flood, and celebrate the legacy of parks that city leaders built from its destruction, walkers will have a chance to look forward as well as back. During the stroll of about 2 miles from Sioux Park to the bridge at Omaha Street … Read More
Questions Submitted to Candidates by Friends of Rapid City Parks
Studies have shown that parkland increases values for adjacent property by 20 percent. Even more studies have shown that people will trade off income for quality of life, and that open space is the number one consideration for small, hi-tech companies looking to relocate. At a public forum last year, a panel of local and national experts on parks and … Read More
Go out and play!
Not every student is able to participate in school sports programs, but studies tell us that outdoor play and exercise help not only with physical health, but creativity, teamwork, and other skills. This is an argument made in support of team sports. But not all students get picked for organized sports, or even want to try out for teams. How … Read More
What value, green space?
Studies have shown that parks and open space increase values for adjacent property by 20 percent. Open space is the number one consideration for small, hi-tech companies looking to relocate, because their highly educated work force is willing to sacrifice high income for high quality of life. Can Rapid City tap the economic growth potential of its parks and open … Read More
Friends presses for park and trail connections in land trade
The Hon. Sam Kooiker Mayor City of Rapid City 300 Sixth Street Rapid City, SD 57702 2 November 2012 Dear Mayor Kooiker, Thank you for asking Friends of Rapid City Parks to comment on the proposed land trade between the city and Dream Design International, Inc. to exchange acreage in the Wally Byam Property for acreage near the airport. We … Read More
Memorial Park Promenade first step on the path, not the final destination
Statement of Friends of Rapid City Parks to Rapid City Council, May 7, 2012. Friends was founded in 2005 to advocate for our parks. We have more than 100 members and have mobilized up to 300 supporters on issues affecting the parks. Tonight we are speaking in support of the proposal by Destination Rapid City to create the Memorial Park … Read More
Be a Friend of Rapid City Parks
Dear Friend, I was riding my bike on the path that runs through the city last week, my mind reflecting on the wonderful revitalization of our downtown area and the preservation of our green spaces we have worked so hard to prioritize. I think you will agree with me that there is no place like Rapid City, and our outstanding … Read More