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 Project. Approved last year, the project is the final chapter in the long story of the Omaha Street Corridor Enhancement Project Master Plan, adopted in 2005, and carried out over a five-year period that saw beautification at Founders Park, Memorial Park, Roosevelt Park, and Pressler Junction. West Memorial was the last piece to be completed, but did not win funding in the competitive Vision 2012 proposal process.
And languished until last year, when the city approved a multi-purpose project to finish the job.
Not only will the project improve the view from one of the major entry points into the city, it will reconfigure two large drainage basins to manage storm water, debris, and silt that previously flowed into Rapid Creek during heavy rains. The project will contribute to storm water management and water quality. In addition, plans call for improvements to the bike path, landscaping and irrigation system in West Memorial Park. Read more here.
Friends of Rapid City Parks has supported the completion of West Memorial Park, while standing against a proposal to turn it into a parking lot.