Don Kearney

Don was appointed director in July 2005. The areas he oversees are many, diverse, and extremely popular among those who live in, and visit, Sioux Falls. They include:

• The City’s 3,400-acre Parks & Recreation system, including 40 miles of recreation trails,
• Midco Aquatic Center, plus 8 additional outdoor aquatic facilities,
• Our urban forest and City trees,
• Oversight of third-party attractions including:
• • Great Bear Recreation Park,
  • Levitt at the Falls,
  • Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium,
  • Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum,
  • Prairie Green, Kuehn, and Elmwood golf courses,
  • Falls Park Visitors Center and Overlook Café,
• Hundreds of recreation programs for all ages.

Don’s 35 years’ experience in Parks and Recreation leadership began in South Sioux City, Nebraska, followed by Scottsbluff, Nebraska, then Billings, Montana, before moving to Sioux Falls.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa in Community Recreation with an emphasis in Aquatics. 

Professional passion: “My professional passion is to do what we do so well that people cannot help but to say good things about Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation.”

Best part of my job: “Seeing the joy people experience when they use our facilities.”

Personal interests: “Hunting, fishing, golf and spending time with family.”