Rapid City has a recreational greenway that's the envy of several other cities. The greenway has several opportunities for recreation and relaxation - a bike path winding along with the flow of Rapid Creek, volleyball courts, baseball fields, tennis and soccer fields and plenty of areas to just sit and relax and enjoy the Black Hills. It's a tourist draw and, for the residents of the city, clearly a benefit.

But it came at a high cost.

The devastating flood in 1972 - the worst natural disaster in South Dakota history - claimed 238 lives and at the same time it cemented the fate of the greenway area. No longer would what is now the greenway area be filled with housing and businesses, rather it would become a flood plain and would be developed into a recreational paradise to serve the people of Rapid City.

That vision, that leadership, came from Leonard Swanson, the city's former public works director. But it didn't come without a fight, and that's why the city is proposing to name the bike path system after Swanson.

Swanson passed away April 16 but his work remains behind. The most notable project he took the lead on was the greenway system. That system is five blocks wide and six miles long winding its way along Rapid Creek. After the flood, discussion began about the future of the land. The council was leaning towards rebuilding, and that's where Swanson stepped in and begged the council not to rebuild in the "suicidal flood plain."

Those emotional words changed the course of events and today thousands of people benefit from the results of that passion.

It's not official but the Rapid City park and recreation board has endorsed the idea of naming the bike path system after Swanson. After the city council's legal and finance committee holds a hearing on it July 30, the full council will take up the matter at its Aug. 4 meeting.

We couldn't think of a better person to name the path after. Most folks agree it might not even be there without Swanson's input.

The city will never forget the flood and the people who lost their lives in 1972 but recognizing one of the people who made something good come from that tragedy is a good step.