City Crews Tackle Flood Protection Area Behind Baken Park

City crews are busy working to remove trees and overgrowth behind Baken Park along the east side of Rapid Creek.

                The project started earlier this month and is expected to be completed around Labor Day.  The area is part of the Corps of Engineers' Rapid City Flood Protection Project, which was constructed following the impacts of the 1972 Rapid City Flood.  The Flood Protection Project area includes Rapid Creek between Sheridan Lake Road and West Omaha Street.

                "It's been a number of years since this area has received some good attention," said Andy Bernard, City forester.  "We're clearing out the trees and brush and restoring the area.  Some of the slope area is not supposed to have any vegetation."

                Using the original landscaping plan from the Flood Protection Project, the current work removes much of the trees, brush and vegetation primarily between Canyon Lake Drive and West Main Street with additional cleanup work in other areas of the flood protection project area.  Pending Corps approval of locations, the City plans to plant new trees next spring.