An interpretive garden between the parking lot and the Tower of the Four Winds features a bronze plaque mounted on a 7000-pound boulder that explains the symbolism in the Tower mosaic. Four new signs explain the symbolism of the mosaics of the four quarters of the world located along the paved hoop trail.

Funding for this new garden has been provided by individuals who sponsored the engraving and laying of paving bricks from old Blair streets. The bricks form several concentric circles around the boulder and also line some of the sidewalks leading to the Tower. Many bricks are engraved in memory of, or in honor of, a special person or in commemoration of a special event, while others are engraved with names selected by the sponsors.

When completed, the garden will contain benches and native grasses and plants. Future plans call for lighting the Tower at night.

The park was established by the city of Blair as “Black Elk-Neihardt Park” in 1974. The picnic pavilion was dedicated in 1976, this country’s bicentennial year, and the Tower of the Four Winds was dedicated in 1987. The interpretive garden was dedicated in October 2007.