By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
If you’ve crossed the bridge into Flandreau lately, you may be wondering about the dirt carved out along the south side of Pipestone Avenue. Crews have been working through this latest stretch of summer heat to construct a new section of the city’s bike path.
City Administrator Cohl Turnquist said the work will be completed in three phases to avoid disrupting homeowners and businesses along any one portion of the route for any extended period of time.
The new trail will begin at the west entrance to town and continue east along Pipestone Avenue to the former Flandreau Motors building. From there, it will head south for a block near the water tower before continuing east along Veterans Street and connecting with the existing bike path through tribal land. The route will ultimately connect with other trails throughout town.
The project has been years in the making, with local biking enthusiasts and city, county and tribal leaders working alongside the Flandreau Development Corporation, which has served as the principal lead. It is being funded largely through a State of South Dakota grant.
Another extension the group hopes to pursue in the future would carry the path across the planned new bridge over the Big Sioux River on Crescent Street, connecting downtown with Flandreau Indian School and the north side of the river, with the longer-term goal of reaching the powwow grounds and beyond.