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| Project Name: |
Upgrading the Spearfish Trail System
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| Project Purpose (Include city and state): |
The Spearfish Recreation Trail system was established in 1985 after the death of two young bicyclists. After this tragic accident the Spearfish Pathways Association (SPA) was formed with a goal of establishing a path safe mode of transportation for bikes, walkers, and runners through town to help maximize safety by minimizing contact with motorized traffic.
In 1990, the City of Spearfish was successful in obtaining its first of several grant funding opportunities to further advance the Recreation Path System. The priority route first established by the City was to run the route north and south through the City and adjacent to Spearfish Creek. This section would also link the city parks and the City Campground that border Spearfish Creek. Sections of path through the City Campground and out to the mouth of Spearfish Canyon are on the original railroad grade that ran trains from Spearfish up Spearfish Canyon.
The newest sections are providing access to housing and commercial areas on the east side of Spearfish. To date approximately 5.3 miles of Recreation Path have been completed.
This grant is needed to help enhance our outdoor recreational opportunities in Spearfish.
We have a need for funding assistance to place a limestone gravel surface on our recreation path located at what is called the Meier Property just east of Evans Park in Spearfish. This property was donated to the City and is currently utilized by bicyclists, walkers and runners as well as the Spearfish High School and Black Hills State University Cross-Country teams for training and races. The property is left in an open undeveloped state with the exception of a path that is mowed around its perimeter. The path also follows adjacent to Spearfish Creek over half of its length making it a beautiful and popular section of our Rec Path System.
This funding would help us to place a limestone gravel product on the path to reduce muddy conditions, inhibit weed and grass encroachment, and provide a level and stable surface to bike, walk, and run on. |
| City: |
Spearfish
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| Project Location: |
Spearfish, SD
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| Project Website: |
www.cityofspearfish.com
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| Target population and how they will benefit: |
This trail is used by the Spearfish High School and Black Hills State University cross-country teams for training and races and by biyclists, walkers, and runners at large. It is located adjacent to our Creekside Elementary School and a residential neighborhood. |
| Why your project deserves the funds: |
Our project deserves funds, because the City of Spearfish and its trail system are dedicated to the philosophy of enjoying the outdoors and making it easy to do so. The beautiful Spearfish Creek passes through the center of town, and the City has maintained and extended the paved trail system for decades to the delight of locals and visitors alike. This trail system hosts innumerable charity walk and runs which benefit dozens of community nonprofits and causes. A local attraction along this route, the DC Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives, reports hosting over 140,000 visitors annually.
In the case of this extension of the trail system, the property has been generously donated to the City, but it is still in need up surface upgrading. |
| Project Timing: |
Surfacing the trail with limestone gravel to provide a stable and level path could be started within 30 days of award and be completed in 90 days. Start and completion timing is flexible. |
| State: |
South Dakota
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| Organization Name: |
City of Spearfish
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