South
Dakota Mines students who are designing and building a mountain bike trail
on the grassland hills directly behind campus have been awarded a grant of
$48,913 from the South Dakota Game, Fish &
Parks Recreational Trails Program.
“South Dakota Mines and the
surrounding Black Hills have some world class mountain biking trails within 10
minutes of campus,” says Fernando Vazquez who recently graduated from Mines
with a degree in metallurgical engineering. “This project will add more miles
of trails to those already in the area.”
The project was first
conceptualized about 12 years ago as the “Turbine Trail.” Its name refers to the
wind turbine that is perched above campus. Emeritus professor of civil
engineering, M.R. Hansen, Ph.D., was one of those behind the idea. “This
promotes well-being and physical activity on campus. The American Society of
Civil Engineering student chapter did a great deal of work on the original
project and I’m happy to see the effort is continuing.” says Hansen.
Jon Kellar, Ph.D., a professor of
metallurgy and materials science carried the idea forward along with faculty in
the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at South Dakota Mines. The first phase of the renewed effort
involved a senior design project by a group of civil engineering students who
did survey work. South Dakota Mines student volunteers then began work on building
the trails by hand.
“This grant allows us to cut down
the timeline for construction,” says Vazquez. “This will allow us to get some
better GPS equipment and rent a mini-excavator. Plus, we will be able to
purchase slope stabilization materials for the trail that will make the project
sustainable and durable for the long term.” The Recreational Trails Program run
by Game, Fish & Parks has also funded other trails in the Rapid City area
including those on Skyline Drive and at Buzzards Roost just outside of town. This
year the fund is also helping build new trails at the Hansen Larsen Park
adjacent to the university owned M Hill.
To date South Dakota Mines students
have completed a trail from the University Loop Road about halfway up the hill just
west of Connolly and Palmerton Halls. Once this initial section is completed,
the path will continue across the slopes behind the Wellness Center and then
around the grassy hills above O’Harra Stadium to loop back on itself.
The trail project is not only about
enhancing recreation opportunities near campus, the effort also includes an
education component. Professors in the civil engineering department are planning
a land reclamation study along the trail to add an extra educational component
to the project. The area also has potential for archeology studies around the “Smelter
Hill” area above O’Harra Stadium. In the early history of the school, gold and
other metals were processed on this site.
Vazquez graduated this spring and
is now employed in Rapid City with Endlas,
a company that provides laser cladding and other high precision metal
manufacturing and engineering services. He will remain involved in the trail
building project as an alumni advisor so he will be able to assist future
student teams in the on-going project. Kyle Caudle, Ph.D., an associate
professor of math at South Dakota Mines, is an advisor to the mountain bike
club on campus who also brings continuity to the project.
“Mountain biking has always been a
passion of mine, and I’m excited to be a steward for the sport and get more
people excited about cycling,” says Vazquez. But he is reluctant to take too
much credit for this project. “This is really about the student body and the
many volunteers. The ultimate goal is to leave this as a legacy for future
students and to inspire new projects like this. It’s wonderful to see the
support from the university and our community partners like the South Dakota
Game, Fish & Parks.”
The grant funding from the South Dakota Game Fish &
Parks will come as an 80% reimbursement after the work is complete. Jerilyn Roberts,
the associate vice president for facilities, risk, and services is overseeing
the project at South Dakota Mines. State and university officials are now
working through the clearance process and draft a grant agreement that will
allow the project to begin. It’s expected that the work on the trail associated
with this grant will begin within the coming year.
Dean of Students, Patricia Mahon,
Ph.D., has been a part of the project from its earliest inception. “This is a wonderful
enhancement for the university. It ties our campus with the bike path along the
length of Rapid Creek,” says Mahon. “I am also pleased that this bike path,
right outside our back door, connects South Dakota Mines students to
recreational opportunities that are found across the beautiful Black Hills and
Badlands.”