Department of Parks & Recreation

Spring has finally arrived in Rapid City, summer is just around the corner and the Parks and Recreation Department is ready to jump into summer activities. The 2008 Program Guide is available in many locations around the community as well as on our web site at www.rcparksandrec.org. Check it out for a description of all the classes, programs and activities happening in Rapid City this summer.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has developed a survey to gather input from the public on the parks and recreation programs and facilities the City provides. Please take a moment to fill out the survey on our web site and tell us what you think; you could be a lucky winner!! On June 1, 2008 we will "draw" one lucky winner from the list of everyone who filled out the survey. This person will receive a season pass to the recreation facility of their choice.

The 2nd Annual Black Hills Fat Tire Festival is scheduled for May 23-25, 2008 and many exciting events are taking place. To get the festivities started the Walk & Bike for Life Summit and Rally will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2008. The Rally will feature speaker Gil Penalosa who is passionate about using walking and bicycling to improve quality of life. Mark Wiley, who was a finalist on Season 3 of The Biggest Loser, will also be attending. Everyone is welcome to join Mark on a walk at 4:30 PM near the fish in Founders Park.

The City's new Dirt Jump Park, located behind Abourezk Law Office, will officially open on Friday, May 23rd. The Black Hills Mountain Bike Association has contributed funding and countless volunteer hours to make this park a reality. It seems only fitting that the grand opening will kick off the 2008 Fat Tire Festival. The Department would like to extend kudos to all the volunteers who made this project a reality.

The 2008 Annual Black Hills Fat Tire Festival gets underway on Friday, May 23rd. Event organizers are expecting to more than double the 300 riders, spectators and volunteers that helped make the event so successful in 2007. Come to race; come to explore. Check out their web site at www.bhfattirefestival.com

Design work will begin soon on the new Vickie Powers Memorial Park which is located approximately one mile north of Lowe's on Haines Avenue, then west on Kathryn Avenue. The Parks Division erected a sign at the park showing the proposed design and a consultant has been hired for the project. Construction will begin later this fall and Phase 1 of the park should be complete in 2009. The Department of Parks and Recreation would like to thank the Qwest Foundation for their generous donation of $50,000 which will be used for construction of the playground component in this park. It is sincerely appreciated. The City also received a SD Land and Water Conservation Grant in the amount of $50,000 to assist with construction of the playground. Be sure to take a drive and check out the new park area.

From all of us here at Parks and Recreation, enjoy the spring and summer and get out and PLAY!

Jerry W. Cole, Director
Department of Parks and Recreation
125 Waterloo Street
Rapid City, SD 57701