Park gets $24,500 grant to enhance research and drainage

West Dakota Water Development District and a group of Rapid City area businesses are funding the upgrades recommended by Andrea Vargas and a team of South Dakota Mines students at Trinity Eco Prayer Park. The upgrades will increase the water flow capacity and provide easier maintenance at the park. This will enhance the original intent of the park to slow, spread, infiltrate, and naturally filter stormwater that runs off parking lots, alley and walks before it enters Rapid Creek. The project also creates opportunity for a living laboratory where future students can study urban runoff, associated water quality issues, and sustainable stormwater management practices. Public-private partnerships paved the way for this project with funding and donations from a number of entities. West Dakota Water Development District granted $24,500 for the $66,010 project. Other partners include $5,000 donation from TerraSite Design and $3,000 from RCS Construction with in-kind services donated by Doyle Concrete ($3,000), Hanson Mapping and Survey ($2,000), and Pike at Play Excavation, which is doing demo and dirt work at cost.