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
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
Park advocates demand city honor commitment to 1972 flood victims
Land in the greenway along Rapid Creek is not ‘free.’ It came at a very high price. We are asking the city to keep its commitment to the memory of those who paid for it with their lives.
How many excuses can we find to pave Sacred Ground?
Friends of Rapid City Parks asks city council to keep its promise to honor victims of 1972 flood by preserving the greenway as a memorial.
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
“Pave Paradise, Put up a Parking Lot”
In the immortal words of Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” song, FRCP has some concerns about paving more of Rapid City’s green ribbon to accommodate parking. When the greenway is so popular that we have to cover it with parking spaces in order to enjoy it, we are in danger of loving our town’s most precious feature to death. Friends … Read More
Comments on Founders Park Project
Click to download a copy of our comments and concerns about the project. FoundersFRCP