Construction Begins on Youth Exploration Area

Date: March 19, 2015
Contact: Maureen McGee-Ballinger, 605-574-3115

KEYSTONE, SD: Monday, March 23, construction will begin on a new Youth Exploration Area at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. During construction a section of the Presidential Trail will be closed to the public. If weather conditions permit, the project is anticipated to be completed and trail reopened by the end of May.

Rangel Construction Company of Rapid City was selected as the contractor for the YouthExploration Area. They will be working daily throughout the construction period. In addition to thenew youth area, construction will include a wider sidewalk and new handrails meeting Architectural Barriers Act standards.

"Our apologies for any inconvenience with Presidential Trail route limitations we anticipate they will be of relatively short duration," Superintendent Cheryl Schreier stated. The Youth Exploration Area will open up new opportunities for young people to connect with their park.

Funding for the construction of the Youth Exploration Area was raised by the Mount Rushmore Society through a wide variety of donors both local and national.

For more information about the park, please visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial's official website at www.nps.gov/moru or call [phone].