Parks and Recreation Launches Public Engagement for Next Master Plan

Published on February 19, 2025

Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation announced the launch of public engagement for its 2030 Park System Master Plan update. This plan will guide the development of parks, trails, facilities, programs, events, and open spaces in Sioux Falls for the next five years.

“This is a crucial process, and the community’s input is invaluable,” said Don Kearney, Director of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation. “These five-year plans are created by the community for the community. We encourage everyone to share their vision for the future of parks and recreation in Sioux Falls.”

The public is invited to participate in the following ways during the public engagement phase starting in February:

Online: Visit the engagement website www.siouxfalls.gov/masterplan to complete the online survey, use the interactive feedback map, or contribute to the vision board. This will be open for the next six to eight weeks.

In-Person Open House: Attend the open house from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February 24 at the Westside Recreation Center (8701 West 32nd Street). This is a great opportunity to share ideas and connect with Parks and Recreation staff.

In addition to these opportunities, the department will gather feedback through a statistically valid survey, focus groups with stakeholders, and one-on-one interviews with the City Council and the Park Board.

“We want the community to flood the site with their input,” said Mike Patten, Park Development Manager. “This plan helps us understand where we are today, envision where we want to be tomorrow, and develop a concrete strategy to get there. Your feedback is absolutely essential to this process.”

The previous master plan led to successful projects the community noted they wanted through the process such as the transition from community centers, the development of indoor play solutions, updates to aquatics facilities, the expansion of adult health and wellness programs, and the creation of Jacobson Plaza. The 2030 plan will build upon these successes and address the evolving needs of the Sioux Falls community.

This regular five-year update is standard practice nationwide that takes approximately 12 months to complete. The master plan is also required to maintain accreditation from the National Recreation and Parks Association, which the department has held since 2010. PROS Consulting has been contracted as a neutral third party to assist with public engagement, data analysis, and plan presentation.

For more information about the 2030 Park System Master Plan update process and to get involved, please visit www.siouxfalls.gov/masterplan.