Improvements to the causeway that stretches between Steamboat Park and LaFramboise Island are on the way.
The City of Pierre has a received a grant from the South Dakota Department of Transportation to add a designated walking path next to the causeway road. According to Tom Farnsworth, City Parks and Recreation Director, the new path will be a boon for both safety and walkability.
“This new path will be a 1,500 foot connector between our walking path in Steamboat Park and the state trails on the island,” said Farnsworth. “Currently, there’s no assigned area for people on foot or on bike to get to LaFramboise; people have to share the full roadway with vehicles.”
Once complete, the designated walking path will be a 10 foot wide concrete path. Additionally, ADA access to fishing piers and designated parking spots will be added on the causeway.
The state grant will pay up to $364,715 for the project and requires an 18% match from Pierre. The city plans to budget the project in 2022.
“We’re very thankful for this partnership grant with the state. This funding opportunity makes it much more feasible for the city to continue improvements to its trail system,” said Farnsworth.
The Parks Dept. maintains approximately eight miles of trails. The city’s trails connect to trail systems owned by the State of South Dakota and the City of Fort Pierre. Through these connecting trail systems, people can travel from the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area located near the Oahe Dam, through Fort Pierre and Pierre, to the Farm Island Recreation Area located east of Pierre.