BISMARCK, N.D. – The City of Bismarck will begin a collaborative street safety and park revitalization project made possible with an AARP Community Challenge grant award of $14,100, for a project designed to bring new vitality to a socially-diverse neighborhood through an adjacent park revitalization and temporary roadway demonstration project. The project’s goal is to improve street safety and revitalize an underused park.
The public is invited to visit the 16th Street Park located at 16th Street and Rosser Avenue to explore the enhancements and enjoy a Park Open House with activities for all ages, September 12, from 2-4 p.m. Activities include a chalk art exhibit, activity booth, interactive mural, music, public art and more. The temporary roundabout demonstration project begins September 13 at the intersection of 16th Street and Rosser Avenue, and will be active for about two weeks. The public is invited to provide input about their experience with the temporary roundabout as a pedestrian or a vehicle driver. Compete the brief public input survey here.
The City’s Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health and Engineering departments collaboratively identified the intersection of 16th Street and Rosser Avenue for the implementation of a roundabout for safety improvements that offer the most benefits. Design concepts like traffic calming allow pedestrians, bikes, and motorists to safely coexist and are critical to activating public spaces. Currently, the intersection has all way stop control, yet yields higher than expected crash rates. This location is ideal for a temporary demonstration that allows staff to gauge support prior to potential permanent implementation as more are considered in the future.
Bismarck Park and Recreation District (BPRD) values parks and recreational spaces as an important component for healthy living because they offer places to be active, increase the quality of neighborhoods, and enhance social connectedness. This project adds enhancements to the park that connect people and places, creating spaces for the community to get together, spend time outdoors and make accessible connections. Project enhancements include an art installation, additional seating with a corner bench along the newly updated perimeter path, and a new concrete patio area with picnic and game tables. The project is designed to enhance a destination that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.