SRF Landscape Architect Project Director Ken Grieshaber, along with Jamie Wark and Stacy Johnson from SRF’s Fargo office, were on hand for the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area campground groundbreaking ceremony near Walhalla, ND, on May 31. Several state and local officials, along with more than 150 guests, commemorated the long-awaited construction of the new amenities and facilities, which will become North Dakota’s 14th state park.
Ken and Landscape Architecture Design Lead Jonathan Fillmore worked with North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department to lead the design of a new campground, trailhead, and visitor center specifically tailored to off-highway vehicles (OHVs). The campground facilities will include individual and group campsites, camper cabins, restroom and shower facilities, and a practice area for OHV riders. The new visitor center will also function as a day-use trailhead facility and provide a trail connection to the existing trailhead located north of the site.
Future planned amenities near the campground include a natural play area, a small performance amphitheater, and perimeter trail circulation, which will offer panoramic views of the surrounding gorge area. Additional planned facilities include a park maintenance facility, park manager residence, and a dorm facility to house seasonal workers.
The planning of these additional facilities and amenities and the development Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area into a state park have been in the works for more than 10 years.
