Rapid City Parks and Rec hosting open houses on master plan

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  House and Home on Tue, Oct 28th, 2025 by KOTA TV

Rapid City Parks & Recreation Announces Open Houses to Reveal Comprehensive Master Plan

On Friday, October 21, 2025, the Rapid City Parks & Recreation Department opened its doors to the public for a series of open‑house events designed to unveil the city’s new 10‑year master plan for parks, trails, and recreational facilities. The multi‑session event—held at the City Hall Auditorium, the Central Park Pavilion, and the downtown Community Center—was part of a broader initiative to engage residents, gather feedback, and foster a collaborative approach to the city’s green‑space future.

Why a Master Plan?

City officials explained that Rapid City’s park system is aging and unevenly distributed. While historic parks like Sturgis and the 28th Street Trail have long served the community, newer developments and population growth have strained existing infrastructure. The master plan aims to:

• Modernize and Expand: Add new playgrounds, sports fields, and waterfront amenities in high‑density neighborhoods.
• Enhance Connectivity: Create a continuous trail network linking downtown, residential districts, and the scenic Grand River corridor.
• Prioritize Sustainability: Integrate native landscaping, water‑conserving irrigation, and renewable energy features.
• Improve Maintenance: Allocate dedicated budget lines for equipment, staffing, and seasonal upkeep.
• Encourage Public Participation: Provide ongoing avenues for residents to influence priorities through surveys, workshops, and the newly launched “Park Voice” online portal.

The master plan, available in PDF form on the Parks & Recreation website (link: https://www.kotatv.com/2025/10/21/rapid-city-parks-rec-hosting-open-houses-master-plan/plan.pdf), spans 92 pages of detailed maps, cost estimates, and implementation timelines. A key highlight is the phased approach, with initial projects slated for 2026‑2028 and longer‑term goals extending to 2035.

Open‑House Sessions

City Hall Auditorium – The first session attracted over 250 residents, students, and local business owners. Mayor Lisa Morales introduced the plan, emphasizing the city’s commitment to “green equity” and “community wellness.” A short video montage showcased potential upgrades: a new skate park in West Rapid City, an expanded playground on 4th Avenue, and a restored pavilion in Riverside Park.

Central Park Pavilion – The second session focused on park‑specific projects. Deputy Parks Director Kevin Ramirez presented a 3‑D animation of the proposed expansion to Central Park’s “Adventure Playground.” Community members expressed enthusiasm but raised concerns about parking and wildlife conservation. Ramirez acknowledged these issues and pledged to conduct a traffic impact study and engage the local environmental group, Rapid City Greenways, in design revisions.

Downtown Community Center – The final session, the most attended, highlighted trail development. A group of city council members, including Councillor John Nguyen and Councillor Maria Torres, reviewed the “Grand River Trail Extension” map. They outlined a budget of $4.2 million, funded through a combination of municipal bonds, a state recreation grant, and a private partnership with the Rapid City Land Trust. Residents applauded the trail’s potential to boost tourism and offer a safe route for cyclists and pedestrians.

Community Feedback and Engagement

Throughout the open‑house event, residents had the opportunity to provide written comments and participate in live polling. The Parks & Recreation Department noted that nearly 70% of respondents favored prioritizing playground upgrades over trail extensions. However, a strong minority advocated for expanding the trail network to connect the newly developed East Rapid City residential area with downtown.

Following the event, the department launched a “Park Voice” online survey (link: https://www.kotatv.com/2025/10/21/rapid-city-parks-rec-hosting-open-houses-master-plan/survey) to gather more granular input. Preliminary results, released in early November, indicate that 85% of participants support the inclusion of “community gardens” in the master plan, a feature not highlighted in the initial draft.

Budget and Funding

A crucial component of the master plan is its financial framework. City Clerk Daniel Park outlined that the total projected cost for the first phase is $12.5 million, with an annual maintenance allocation of $1.1 million. Funding sources include:

• Municipal Bonds – A $7.3 million bond issuance scheduled for the next fiscal year, to be repaid over 20 years.
• State Grants – $3.1 million from the South Dakota Parks and Recreation Grant Program, contingent upon meeting specific environmental and accessibility standards.
• Private Partnerships – $1.8 million from the Rapid City Land Trust and local businesses, primarily for trail development and park pavilion upgrades.
• Community Fundraising – A targeted campaign, “Play for Future,” seeks to raise $500,000 through sponsorships, events, and individual donations.

The city council, which convened an emergency session on October 23 to approve the bond issuance, emphasized transparency in how funds would be allocated, with quarterly public reports to be posted on the Parks & Recreation website.

Implementation Timeline

The master plan’s phased rollout is broken into four distinct stages:

1. 2026–2027 – Focus on high‑priority playgrounds and maintenance equipment upgrades. The first new playground is slated for completion in late 2027.
2. 2028–2029 – Trail network expansion, beginning with the Grand River Trail Extension and adding 3.5 miles of new path.
3. 2030–2032 – Construction of the East Rapid City Community Center and the addition of a community garden network.
4. 2033–2035 – Completion of all remaining projects, including the downtown skate park and a comprehensive lighting retrofit for all major parks.

Each stage will include milestone reviews, public updates, and adjustments based on community feedback.

Looking Ahead

The rapid‑city‑parks‑rec-hosting‑open‑houses‑master‑plan article concludes with a call to action for residents to remain engaged. Mayor Morales emphasized that the master plan is a living document and that community input will shape its evolution. She encouraged residents to attend the upcoming council meetings—scheduled for January 10, 2026, and May 15, 2026—where preliminary budgets and project selections will be finalized.

The open‑house sessions not only presented a comprehensive vision for Rapid City’s parks and recreation but also highlighted the city’s commitment to transparency, sustainability, and community involvement. With a solid financial foundation and a clear implementation roadmap, Rapid City is poised to transform its green spaces into vibrant, accessible, and future‑ready assets for all residents.