Park improvements bring improved trails, other updates

Construction season isn’t just for roads.

Several park projects are in various stages of completion citywide. Take a look:

Cherry Creek Trail

The west side of Sioux Falls will have easier access to the bike trail with this 1.5-mile trail project from Legacy Park on the south to Songbird Avenue on the north. The project will create a direct connection for residents of the Hayward neighborhood into the bike trail system and Family Park.

Asphalt paving is taking place and should be completed by the end of the week. The contractor also is working to place topsoil and shape the site for seeding.

The trail segment includes two bridges that are scheduled to be delivered and installed early this winter. The new trail segment is planned to be open for use early next year.

Falls Park

Old asphalt trail between Sixth Street and Falls Park Drive has been replaced with new concrete trail ranging from 8 to 10 feet wide, with a smoother connection for pedestrians passing through or accessing park features like the Queen Bee Mill ruins or Overlook Cafe.

Roads and parking lots at Falls Park also were improved this season.

In addition, there’s a new accessible pedestrian connection to access the park from Phillips Avenue.

The new sidewalk will start at the main entrance of the park and meander east to the Falls Park Visitor Information Center. The project should be done and open by the end of the month.

Yankton Trail Park

The two far west parking lots saw pavement improvements this year, including new pavement markings.

Sea Dream relocation

Remember Sea Dream? The sculpture had to be removed from downtown’s Fort Sod Park for construction of the Kirby Dog Park.

The parks department worked with the original artist, Steve Thomas, on potential relocation sites for the sculpture and identified a spot along 69th street in front of Prairie Green Golf Course as the best location.

When the city removed the sculpture during the dog park construction, the parks department realized it required significant restoration to the base structure as well as the surfacing. The artist and Scott Rysdon, CEO of Sioux Steel, helped the city restore the artwork for free as a gift to the city.

You’ll now find it at Prairie Green Golf Course, and landscaping is being done to re-create Sea Dream’s original design, including a quartzite ring around the base, surrounded by flowers.

Ready to ride: With new chairlift, Great Bear readies for season