SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO0– It’s nearly 20 miles worth of city pride, but the Sioux Falls bike trail has had a tough road this spring. Last month’s flood put a lot of it under water. It’s open again, and one piece of it is getting an upgrade.
Two legs, or four, or perhaps a pair of wheels. You’ll see all of the above on the Sioux Falls bike trail. People are running, walking, walking their pets, and riding their bikes. That includes John Demme and his dog, Elaine.
“She’s just getting used to bikes,” Demme said.
Not that it needs to be warm for these two to put their best feed forward.
“Every day. Even when it was 20 below zero, we were out here walking,” Demme said.
That seems to be a common trend for people who use the trail.
“Every day that we could,” Shelly Leither said.
Recently, there have been many days Demme and Leither couldn’t venture out, thanks to floodwaters. Leither says it’s nice to see the all of the trails open again.
“Everything is so devastated. I’m looking for some green,” Leither said.
That isn’t the only change spring and summer will bring. Park Development Specialist Mike Patten says the City is going to update the part of the trail from Cherry Rock Park to Fawick Park, also known as the Beadle Greenway.
“We’re going to be removing and replacing the trail. We’re going to update it to a 12-foot wide section. We’re going to be smoothing out some curves, making a smoother surface,” Patten said.
Patten says the reconstruction project has nothing to do with flood damage. The City replaces parts of the trail annually. Crews are set to begin work on the $450,00 project next week and finish by the end of the summer.
Even though this part will close for summer construction, Leither, Demme, and Elaine are just happy to have most of the trail back.
“We’ve been walking out at the Western Mall and nothing’s wrong with that. I love walking around the Western Mall, but it doesn’t compare to walking outside,” Leither said.
“Really glad we can get back to our routine again,” Demme said.
