Legacy Commons at Memorial Park is designed as a series of play pods within an interpretive garden setting. The renewal features in Legacy Commons include five separate play areas with adjacent themed gardens: Sensory Play Pod area, Accessible inclusive play area with an elevated accessible sensory garden, Nature climbing area with adjacent Black Hills, prairie and medicinal gardens, Age 2-5 play area with a children’s garden, Active play area with an adjacent sustainable landscape. The play areas and gardens surround a three-fourths acre Great Lawn for spontaneous and planned gatherings.
Discovery features within Legacy Commons include searchable plants, animals and fossils hidden throughout the park, and, for the parents, ample benches to relax, or five separate outdoor fitness features to work out at while the kids safely play nearby. The existing hillside amphitheater features a new at-grade concrete stage/platform for events as well as a contemplative area next to Rapid Creek. All bike path connections and through routes remain and have been expanded for safe bike and pedestrian travel.
The location is adjacent to the Memorial Park Promenade and serves an added attraction to draw people into and spend time in the urban park. The playgrounds (by Landscape Structures, Inc.) offer a wide variety of activities for children of all ages and abilities. The sensory playground is very accessible and has an adjacent elevated garden so wheelchair bound children can see, touch, smell and feel the plantings. Natural play areas blend in with the surrounding landscape while offering many climbing, sliding and exploring opportunities. The gardens include indigenous plantings, medicinal gardens, sustainable gardens and many more. The project is 100% private funded from Destination Rapid City, a private group formed to promote downtown Rapid City as a destination for community members and visitors alike. Park opened in Fall 2014.
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