Newsletter

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Storybook Enabling Garden Receives $4,700 Grant

The first official Enabling Garden in the state of South Dakota is taking shape at Storybook Island.  The new venue received a large boost to its fund raising campaign from the Ronald McDonald Charities foundation.  The grant which was awarded in July to the free children’s park will be used to build an ADA accessible bridge from the main walkway to the island which is located in the center of the park.  The new walkway will allow handicap children and adults easy access to the popular location.  Gardeners and maintenance works at the park have constructed several raised beds for the new gardening program.  The raised beds produced loads of cherry tomatoes, Mohican egg plant, peppers, beans and squash during the 2007 season.  More beds will be added over the winter months in preparation for the 2008 children’s gardening program. 

The Storybook Island Junior Gardening program is open to children of all ages and all abilities.  The program emphasizes healthy eating, organic growing, and teaches critical thinking and team work.  The classes, which are taught by members of the Pennington County Master Gardeners, begin in June and run through August.  The unique setting provides a wonderful hands-on learning opportunity. 

If you would like more information on the program, or would like to volunteer to teach or donate financially to the project, please contact the park at 342-6357 or call Vic Moore at 342-7010.

What will be new in 2008?

Many new and exciting surprises are being planned for the 2008 season.  New fairytale sets are planned and will be constructed over the winter months.  New to the park for 2008 will be Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, Little Jack Horner, and Pocahontas Island.  The park is also working to raise the funds to add a pirate ship, and pink princess castle which will feature a slide. 

Reconditioning of walkway areas is also a priority for the park.  With an estimated cost of $109,000 to repair all of the aging walkway surfaces, this monumental project will be done in phases as funding allows.    The hope is to have all of the walkways repaired before the park’s 50th Anniversary.  

Smile, You’re on Camera

Due to a rash of vandalism to the park, a new video security system has been installed and is fully operational.  The cameras located throughout the park record 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  The system will help catch vandals who have nothing better to do than destroy a FREE children’s park. 

The system is only a part of the park’s safety upgrades.  A weather radio, donated to the park by the National Weather Service, will interrupt park music and announce a warning in the park any time sever weather is of concern.  A detailed emergency plan was also developed by Nellie Isaacs, a certified emergency manager.

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