A new $1.4 million walking path project between the Big East parking lot and 22nd Avenue is set to be completed in 2026.
The new ‘recreation corridor’ project would create a path connecting the Big East lot to Walmart, cutting through the arboretum, said Tanner Aiken, project manager and SDSU horticulturist. Aiken addressed the Students’ Association Monday night to tell them about the project.
“We saw an opportunity here, ‘how can we give this obvious traffic from the campus residential over to the amenities on the east side of 22nd, Walmart?’ Aiken said.
Nearly $600,000 will be funded through a transportation alternative program grant, with the other $813,000 and change being funded through the university.
University funding sources will include private donations, higher education facility maintenance & repair, higher education facility planning and intercollegiate athletics funds, according to Jonathan Meendering, director of planning and design.
Meendering said they are also working with the City of Brookings on a partnership to help retain storm water in the area and reduce flooding potential around campus.
The project would make a 7 ft wide paved path through the South Dakota Arboretum, totaling about 9,000 feet. The path would be an accessible multi-modal outdoor recreation trail for South Dakota State University and the surrounding community. The project will include low areas for storm water retention and habitat for a variety of plants and wildlife.
Included in the plan is the expansion of the existing 9-hole disc golf course to a full 18-hole competitive course.
Lisa Marotz, director of McCrory Gardens was also at the SA meeting to present the plan. Marotz is excited about expanding the SDSU disc golf course.
“I dream of having disc golf tournaments in the arboretum, and that’s going to bring people to Brookings to eat in our restaurants, to sleep in our hotels, to have individuals who maybe have never been to Brookings before, and that they’re thinking, ‘This South Dakota State University? I want to learn more.’
In other news:
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Extended Studies Victor Taylor told the Students’ Association about Coursera, a program that SDSU has partnered with to provide free no-credit courses to students.
Students can complete classes to get professional certificates. SDSU is the only university in the region that has Coursera, Taylor said.
Coursera costs the University $100,000 a year, Taylor said. 700 faculty staff and students combined have opened an account, and Taylor hopes to see that number increase as more students learn about it.
“You see people running all over campus, recreating on the sidewalks. I’ve thought for the longest time would have been great to have a place to do that, where your feet aren’t constantly just hitting pavement. .
SA recognized Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 by passing Commemoration 25-1-C.
“What a great way to commemorate a month and contributions of Hispanic-Americans and Hispanics in general,” Sen. Carter Howell said.
SA will vote on a new budgeting philosophy next week. Next week there will be no SA meeting, but will pick back up Monday, Oct. 20.
