June 15, 2013
Free or Low-Cost Activities Abound in Rapid City This Summer

Rapid City is a great destination for family vacations, because of the many free or low-cost activities in the city. Storybook Island, Summer Nights, and of course, the Rapid City Public Libraries, are popular destinations for people of all ages.

June 8, 2013
Custer Bans Campers

The Custer City Council approved the final reading of its ordinance prohibiting campers.

The Custer City Council has approved Ordinance No. 731, which prohibits the use of recreational vehicles, such as: travel trailers, motor homes or converted cars and buses used for dwelling, reports the Custer County Chronicle.

However, commercial campgrounds are excluded from the ordinance.

Follow the Custer County Chronicle on its Facebook page.

 

June 7, 2013
Rapid City's Summer Nights Festival Returns to Original Location

Feedback of 'too crowded' addressed by expansion for Summer Nights.

Rapid City's Summer Nights has grown by 30% and returned to its original location of Seventh and St. Joseph Street.

May 30, 2013
65th Anniversary of the Start of the Mountain Carving

This year will mark the 65th Anniversary of the start of the Crazy Horse carving.

This year will mark the 65th Anniversary of the start of the Crazy Horse carving. The 28th annual Volksmarch, a 6.2 mile hike up onto the arm of the carving, will take place this Saturday and Sunday according to a myTown post. Read more about the largest stone carving in progress in the world on the Crazy Horse Memorial website.

May 28, 2013
Improved Weather Brings Increased Park Usage

With spring snowstorms in the past, Memorial Day Weekend came with almost all state park campsites filled.

With spring snowstorms in the past, Memorial Day Weekend came with almost all state park campsites filled. According to the Rapid City Journal, 270,000 camping units were filled in 2012, and parks director Doug Hofer believed they would hit that level or higher in 2013.

The Black Hills region is home to four state parks and recreation areas.

May 28, 2013
Summer Reading Programs, Not Just for Kids

Rapid City Library offers reading incentives for children, teens, and adults.

Summer reading programs are a tradition at most public libraries.  'Dig Into Reading' is the children's theme this summer at the Rapid City Public Library.  The teen theme is 'Beneath the Surface' and the adult summer theme (yes, adults may participate in summer reading!) "Groundbreaking Reads'. 

May 17, 2013
Lead to Improve Park at Mickelson Trail Head

Walt Green Park will be made handicapped accessible.

A grant from the South Dakota Game Fish & Parks Department and fundraising by local schoolchildren will help the city of Lead upgrade Walt Green Park, reports the Black Hills Pioneer.

A new drinking fountain, hand rails and accessible bathrooms will be among the improvements.

April 28, 2013
Rapid City Owned Golf Course Getting a Facelift

Meadowbrook Golf Course will get facelift this summer.

Rapid City's west side municipal golf course will undergo significant changes and improvements this summer.  Read the list of upcoming changes in the Rapid City Journal and follow Meadowbrook Golf Course items in the archives. 

Visit the Meadowbrook Golf Course homepage.

April 26, 2013
Soccer Rapid City To Begin Construction This Fall

Soccer Rapid City is looking to begin the construction of a new soccer complex this fall. Plans are to begin with just 12 fields, with the possibility to expand in the future. 

Soccer Rapid City is planning to break ground this fall on a soccer complex with 12 fields this fall. Once additional money is allocated the complex will build additional fields.

April 16, 2013
Piedmont Runners Enter and Survive Boston Marathon

Local runners view of marathon is changed.

Holly Kopplin and Kelli Wilson of Piedmont qualified to run the Boston Marathon according to an article in the Rapid City Journal which can be seen here. They were fortunate to finish the race ahead of the explosion that took place minutes later as stated in this article from the Journal.

March 29, 2013
Rails-to-Trails Project Envisioned from Rapid City to Kadoka

Fly-bike tourism envisioned for trail that could connect to the Rapid City bike path and that would be open to non-motorized activity such as hiking and horseback riding.

The West River Trail Coalition wants to convert 97 miles of old railbed to a multi-use trail from Rapid City to Kadoka, KOTA's MyTown website reports.

The trail would pass near Rapid City Regional Airport and would include four trailheads at Caputa, Scenic, Interior and Kadoka. The group has commissioned a feasibility study and says much work remains to be done to identify funding sources.

March 17, 2013
Hot Springs Voters to Decide City Ownership of Evans Plunge

As a March 26 election looms, a private developer says he has a group that also wants to purchase the Black Hills' oldest tourist attraction.

After the Hot Springs City Council tabled a motion to purchase the privately-owned Evans Plunge water attraction, citizens referred the matter to a vote, the Hot Springs Star reports.

City officials estimate they could put more than $50,000 per year into city coffers after expenses are paid. That money could go towards further improvements at the facility or to property tax reduction.

February 17, 2013
Art Alley Faces Challenges

A task force has been established to address issues regarding Art Alley in Rapid City.

After the Business Improvement District board declined to pursue a project in Art Alley, a task force was created to address issues regarding the alley in Rapid City. The task force was established by the Legal & Finance Committee at their February 13th meeting.

February 13, 2013
Deadwood to Get New City Park

A highway project will reduce the size of Gordon Park, and the city must develop a comparable piece of property.

Due to a 1977 National Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, the loss of part of Deadwood's Gordon Park along Sherman Street will lead to the creation of another city park, the Black Hills Pioneer reports.

A 4,000-square-foot section along Whitewood Creek near the Mickelson Trail head will be developed.

February 13, 2013
Frustrated Landowners May Get Some Protection Against Hunters and Anglers

Black Hills trout streams would not be affected by restricted access bill.

House Bill #1135 would give landowners some protection against intrusions by hunters and anglers on water that spreads over their property.  Sportsmen argue that the bill is unclear and far-reaching.  Read the full article in the Rapid City Journal and follow legislative news

February 1, 2013
Civic Center Revenue Remains Stable

Thanks to revenue generators like the Rapid City Rush and Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo, the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City has maintained a stable revenue over the last year.

During the 2011-2012 year, the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center maintained a steady revenue. According to a Rapid City Journal article, the Civic Center's most profitable contributor is the Rapid City Rush hockey team followed by the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo.

January 26, 2013
New Vendor for Golf Course Restaurant [Updated]

Two proposals were submitted to Rapid City to manage the Meadowbrook Golf Course Restaurant.

Two proposals were submitted to Rapid City to manage the Meadowbrook Golf Course Restaurant. The restaurant had been managed by the city starting in January 2011, but suffered budget deficits. According to a Rapid City Journal article, both proposals were from Canyon Lake Chophouse. The Public Works Committee will discuss the proposals at their next meeting January 29th.

January 3, 2013
Snowshoe Hike Planned at Custer State Park Game Lodge

The two-mile hike is geared toward beginners, allowing participants the opportunity to try the recreational event and explore some of the park’s most beautiful winter scenery.

Reservations are required to join the guided hike, which is free and includes snowshoes, KOTA's MyTown reports.

Hikers will depart at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. from the Peter Norbeck Visitor's Center. A park entrance sticker is required, and hikers are reminded to dress appropriately for the weather. To reserve a spot, call (605) 255-4464.

December 18, 2012
Hookah Lounges - Misunderstood in Rapid City

Entrenched upper crust accused of trying to shut down misunderstood business.

Recently, the Rapid City Council has begun consideration of ordinances that would affect the hookah lounge business in Rapid City.  Under consideration are creating a licensing process for hookah lounges, setting minimum ages for hookah patrons, and posting health warnings outside hookah lounges.  Police Chief Steve Allender says the proposed regulations are necessary and denies they are an attempt to close  hookah lounges. 

December 18, 2012
Spearfish looks to sanction high school soccer

As officials phase out a state tournament for soccer clubs, Spearfish schools look at adding soccer.

Sanctioning soccer would cost Spearfish schools about $30,000, and officials said the school district would need outside interests to cover most of that cost, the Black Hills Pioner reports.

The South Dakota High School Activities Association began allowing schools to sanction soccer about a year ago, and the state tournaments for club teams will end in 2014.

December 6, 2012
SD Game, Fish and Parks to Hold Public Meetings in Rapid City and Sioux Falls

SD Game, Fish and Parks to discuss plan addressing needs of states' fish and wildlife species.

An open house meeting sponsored by the SD Game, Fish and Parks will be held in Rapid City December 12, 6:00-9:00 PM at the Outdoor Campus West in Rapid City.  A second meeting will be held in Sioux Falls on December 13.  GF&P staff will be presenting information on a wildlife action plan which addresses the needs of fish and wildlife species in South Dakota; there will be time for public comment and questions.  Read the full article in the

November 14, 2012
Solar Lights Illuminate Rapid City Bike Path

Solar-powered lights will now light up Rapid City's bike path.

More than 50 solar lights have been installed along the city bike path from Roosevelt Park to Memorial Park, KEVN TV reports.

Rapid City Police Chief Steve Allender says one goal is to encourage more people to use the bike path for commuting. The project combines public safety and green energy, according to the city's proposal for the project.

October 3, 2012
SD Game, Fish, And Parks Proposes Increase for Lion Hunting Limits

South Dakota wildlife biologists recommend increase in mountain lion limits.

Based on recommendations from wildlife biologists, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has proposed a mountain lion hunting season that will allow hunters to shoot more big cats next winter.  A final decision will be made at a public hearing in Deadwood on October 4, 2012.

Read full the article at KOTA.

September 17, 2012
Rapid City Council Will Meet Proposed Park and Recs Director

Mayor Sam Kooiker's candidate for Parks and Recreation Director will meet with the Rapid City Council for their approval Monday night, September 17.

Mayor Sam Kooiker's candidate for Parks and Recreation Director will meet with the Rapid City Council for their approval Monday night, September 17.

September 12, 2012
Aquatics Club Works to Open BHSU Pool Year-Round

The Spearfish Aquatics Club formed in 2011 and is seeking members.

Membership in the Spearifsh Aquatics Club provides access to the Donald Young Center pool at Black Hills State University. (Spearfish Aquatics Center)

The Spearfish Aquatics Club seeks more dues-paying members as a way to increase access to the pool at Black Hills State University's Donald E. Young Center, the Black Hills Pioneer reports.

Currently, club members have access to the pool for weekend family swim time and designated hours at mid-day on weekdays.