City signs joint-powers agreement with Game, Fish and Parks to replace Crown Park fishing dock

The Huron City Commission authorized a joint-powers agreement with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks on May 21 to replace the wooden fishing dock at Crown Park with a rock-based "rock pod" fishing feature.

Chad Schroeder, parks and recreation superintendent, told the commission Game, Fish and Parks will handle permitting, design and construction and will cover the construction costs. "Game, Fish and Parks is going to take care of all the permitting and all the construction and all the costs of the new rock pod," Schroeder said. The city will remove the existing wooden structure and assume maintenance responsibilities after installation under the agreement.

Commissioners asked whether the new feature would sit at the same grade as the existing sidewalk and whether the top surface would provide a level, stable area for anglers. Schroeder said Game, Fish and Parks will use their engineers to design the feature; the top surface will be a level finish—likely crushed gravel or concrete substrate—matching the existing path grade so the user surface is similar to the current wooden platform.

Schroeder said the rock pod design has been used elsewhere as a more natural-looking fishing access point and that Huron's installation would be among the early full implementations on an inland body of water in the region. The commission voted in favor; roll call recorded Smith, Weinrais, Craig, Harvey and Mayor Robich voting "aye." The city will transfer the wooden structure and take on routine maintenance after installation by Game, Fish and Parks.