Anniversary offers chance to look forward as well as back

The 1972 Flood 40th Anniversary provides an opportunity to increase education and awareness of the source of Rapid City’s abundant park space and the need to be vigilant in preserving it. While Friends is participating with city government and other civic organizations to plan events to commemorate the flood, we also want to take the opportunity to educate citizens who … Read More

Remembering 1972

During the night of June 9, 1972 a stalled storm system dumped more than 10 inches of rain in the Rapid Creek basin—more than enough total rainfall to fill Pactola Lake 14 times before it was over. The crest of the flash flood and the debris it carried hit Canyon Lake around 10 p.m., tearing out the dam and adding … Read More

Assigning value to the priceless legacy of 1972

An internationally recognized expert on the economic value that parks bring to communities will speak at a public forum in Rapid City Thursday, April 26. The lecture begins at 7 p.m. in The Journey Museum Auditorium and is one of many public events leading up to the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the 1972 Flood in June. Friends of … Read More

Why do Friends care about billboards?

Fully one third of our municipal parks lie in the towering shadow or flickering lights of a billboard. From swings and sliding boards, from gazebos and flower gardens, the view exhorts us to eat, drink, buy, sell, visit and vote. Friends of Rapid City Parks thinks the view within a municipal park should be framed by trees, clouds and the … Read More

Come see us at the Fat Tire Festival

Ride your bike, bring the kids! Friends will have a booth at the Fat Tire Festival featuring games, giveaways, puzzles and more. We’ll be in Founders Park near the big fish from 1-4 on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 & 29.  Enter a free drawing and win a tote full of Friends of Rapid City Parks gear.

SDPB to produce television documentary on 1972 flood

South Dakota Public Broadcasting will begin taping this June for a documentary on the 1972 Flood to be aired on the 40th anniversary next year. If you lived in Rapid City during the flood and are willing to tell your story, SDPB wants to interview you. According to reporter Charles Michael Ray, the video documentary will also examine new USGS … Read More

Candidate Forum Time Rolls Around Again

Friends of Rapid City Parks will host two candidate forums this year in order to provide ample time for both city council and mayoral candidates to present their views and answer questions. The 2011 city council candidate forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31 at the Dahl Arts Center.  A second event to showcase candidates for Mayor will … Read More

Comments on Founders Projects Invited at Open House

The Rapid City Parks and Recreation Department has extended the following invitation: You are invited to an Open House to view and comment on proposed improvements to the Rapid City Greenway Trails and Park System Project. The improvements include bike path and pedestrian path improvements near the Central States Fairgrounds, SDSM&T, Founders Park and Executive Golf Course. The project also … Read More