Prehistoric Guards

Located on scenic Skyline Drive, which runs along hogback ridge dividing Rapid City east from west, is Dinosaur Park. This park is home to four life sized historic dinosaur figures each facing a different directions. Built in the 1930's these concrete dinosaurs stand guard over the city. 

 Even on a somewhat hazy August day the view was amazing.

The park is also home to a seasonal gift shop full of fun and interesting gifts, souvenirs and treats. Dinosaur park makes for a nice outing as long as you are not afraid of heights and don't mind climbing stairs.

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Canyon Lake Park

With the busy summer season upon us, I thought it would be nice to share a bit of Canyon Lake Park, which is just one of our many parks here in Rapid City.

Not only is Canyon Lake Park's picturesque setting perfect for your outdoor gatherings and events, it is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon relaxing.

You can:

 Enjoy some fishing.

Spend time on the lake.

Escape from the summer heat.

Do a little homework or maybe just find a nice spot in the shade to nap.

The park also has a number of playgrounds and picnic shelters.

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Falls Park

During my recent visit to Sioux Falls I headed to my favorite photo spot, Falls Park. 

After all the snow the area got last winter I was rather surprised to see the river so low. Although I was reminded that there had been a drought the previous year.

 The Queen Bee Mill ruins make the perfect setting for a bit of theater. Here the Bare Bodkins Theater Company is wrapping up a performance of Romeo & Juliet.

Mc Kennan Park: Part 1

The Four Pillars, photo taken in the Fall of 2002

Boasting 20 acres of tranquil beauty in the heart of Sioux Falls is Mc Kennan Park. Nestled in this lush park setting are horse shoe pits; picnic tables; tennis courts; flower gardens a wading pool and even an outdoor theater.
While running a ton of last minute errands on Tuesday in preparation for my trip Wednesday morning I drove past this fabulous park and decided the rest of my errands could wait. With so much hectic activity a peaceful walk in the park was just what I needed.

The outdoor theater  is home to many different types of performances during the summer months. Free stage productions, musical performances and even movies are shown at the theater. The theater sits on the southern end of the park among rolling green lawns with paths that wind through the shade of the beautiful trees.

Near the center of the park just beyond the wading pool the paths wind through artfully styled flower gardens. In addition to the many picnic tables that can be found throughout the park there are many places such as this where a person can sit in the shade of the trees and soak up the soothing aura of the park.

To the west of the main flower gardens sits this intimate sunken courtyard. Just beyond the small rock wall you see at the back of this photo sits a smaller courtyard with several benches surrounded by bright cheerful flowers. By mid July the center piece of this courtyard will be overflowing with brightly colored flowers.

This miniature bronze replica of the Statue of Liberty stands at the head of the steps overlooking the sunken courtyard. Another beautiful shot of this statue can be seen here.

To end this mini tour of Mc Kennan park we go back to the southwest corner of the park not far from the outdoor theater. Where this statue titled 'The Potato Man' can be seen. I call this a mini tour as there really is so much more to see. Throughout the park you will find plaques and statues all paying tribute to different historical people or groups. 'The Potato Man' stands vigil over engraved cobble stones honoring Sioux Falls early Irish immigrants. If you click on the photo below you will be able to view some of the inscriptions on the stones.

I hope you have enjoyed this mini tour as much as I enjoyed stopping to relax and take these photographs.

Sacred Buffalo

Located on the west side of our city is Sherman Park with it's five ancient Indian burial mounds. The history of this park is a very rich one dating back to the early years of Sioux Falls. Yet the history of the land the park sits on goes back much further with bones from the burial mounds dating back as far as 500 B.C.

At the entrance to this park sits this fantastic rock wall. The scene built into the wall shows an Indian on horseback with a spear in his hand chasing five buffalo.

I have seen many murals, some painted some constructed out of mosaic tiles but never before have I seen such a work of art as this. The vision, time and detail that went into creating this beautiful wall leaves me in awe.

close up of the Indian

close detail of one of the five buffalo

With so many big beautiful parks in our city I believe this small but beautiful and historically rich park is often overlooked.

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