RAPID CITY, SD — How can communities better share and steward the resources they all depend on?

That question will be at the center of a community discussion led by Richard Burgess, Ph.D., assistant professor of industrial engineering at South Dakota Mines, during Philosophy in the Park at Trinity Eco Park, at the corner of 4^th and St. Joseph streets, at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27.

Burgess will give a brief presentation before leading participants in a small-group discussion on how communities can live together and share common resources in sustainable, beneficial ways.

The discussion will explore the concept known as the “tragedy of the commons”, common resource systems that can be overused to the point of depletion, and the unique challenges facing shared resources, such as parks, which can be vulnerable to overuse and abuse.

“We hope the community takes away a lesson about how we can better steward our shared resources together,” said Erica Haugtvedt, Ph.D., associate professor of English at Mines, and Trinity Eco Prayer Park board member. “Trinity Eco Prayer Park filters stormwater from the urban neighborhood surrounding it in a way that features native plants of our local biomass here in the Black Hills.”

Philosophy in the Park wraps up Trinity Eco Prayer Park’s summer 2026 events, which also included weekly yoga in the park and a concert by local musician Rowan Grace.

Community members are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and enjoy a wonderful evening of discussion.