RAPID CITY, SD—Long-needed upgrades at the playgrounds at Robbinsdale Park have been completed and City Parks officials unveiled the new features at a brief dedication ceremony Thursday.

The playgrounds were closed in January so crews could begin the months-long process to replace the aging equipment with new features. The old playground equipment was approximately three decades old and Parks officials indicate it had been increasingly difficult to find parts and pieces for repairs and upkeep.

The old equipment at the Robbinsdale playgrounds got a lot of use over thirty years,” said Rapid City Parks and Recreation Project Manager Darin Sabers.  “We put a lot of thought into the upgrades and we think the kids are really going to like the new features.

“The new equipment was thoughtfully planned with accessibility, inclusivity and sensory elements in mind.”

Sabers said the new equipment includes a popular ‘Zipkrooz’ zip line, similar to the one installed at the Sioux Park playground in 2023. The Robbinsdale playground zip line also includes a dedicated ADA-accessible bay. The playgrounds will also include accessible swings, platforms and other features to cover all age ranges and abilities.

Crews also installed new concrete perimeter edging for attaching safety surfacing turf and a sub-surface drainage system. The playground areas also offer new access sidewalks. The Robbinsdale Park playground upgrades are also part of an ongoing effort to upgrade playground areas in the Rapid City parks system. 

Sabers indicates the project would not have been possible without additional funding provided by the City’s Community Enrichment Division and Community Development Block Grants as well as countless hours of labor provided by various city departments, including the City’s public works engineering and streets departments and parks crews.

Mayor Jason Salamun joined Parks Director Jeff Biegler, City parks staff and members of the City’s Disability Awareness and Accessibility Committeeat the ceremony Thursday at thePark’s lower playground area of Robbinsdale Park.