Compromise to Spare Stone Pathways in Historic Park Rejected

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Historic preservation advocates have rejected a compromise over the controversial removal of reddish stone pathways in Sioux Falls' Terrace Park.

The city this summer wants to upgrade the century-old park that's on the National Register of Historic Places, to make the grounds more accessible to people with disabilities. Part of the plan called for removing quartzite rock pathways and replacing them with concrete.

Sioux Falls' Board of Historic Preservation rejected the plan earlier this month. The city then reached a compromise with the Terrace Park Neighborhood Association that called for some pathways to be spared.

The historic preservation board on Wednesday unanimously rejected the deal, saying it would hurt the historic nature of the park.

The Argus Leader newspaper reports that the project's timeline is now uncertain.