Jacobson Plaza to Officially Open June 30, 2025

Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation announced that the official opening of Jacobson Plaza will be Monday, June 30, 2025, marking the completion of a transformative project that will enhance Sioux Falls’ world-class parks system. 

The project broke ground in the fall of 2023 in Falls Park West. This park has transformed underutilized green space into a regional park that includes some of the biggest and most unique attractions in Sioux Falls and the region for all ages to enjoy in any season. Jacobson Plaza’s amenities include: 

The Ribbon: This 14,000-square-foot skating facility is built for year-round recreation with refrigerated ice in the winter months and concrete in the warm seasons. For ice skating season, the public can reserve skate times online and rent skates at the warming house. 

Largest Playground in Sioux Falls: Spanning over 26,000 square feet, this playground is more than just large—it’s also designed to be accessible for everyone to enjoy. The playground will include specialized equipment like wheelchair-accessible swings, sensory-rich play structures, and widened ramp access to equipment. 

Pawsible Dog Park: This off-leash dog park offers a downtown play space for canines. It features an artificial turf with a sanitizing system, seating, shade, a drinking fountain, and separate spaces for small and large dogs. 

T. Denny Sanford Splash Pad: This will be the largest splash pad in Sioux Falls. This state-of-the-art splash pad is free to use and includes a variety of water features. 

The Lodge and Warming House: This building features meeting space, skate rentals, and The Lodge Bar and Grill, which has a full menu of food, Parlour ice cream, and drink options available. The Lodge also manages the venue’s reservations for its meeting space for gatherings and celebrations. As of June 30, The Lodge will be open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Green Space and Connected Paths: Jacobson Plaza has paved sidewalks that connect to the rest of The Falls (Falls Park, Lloyd Landing, Big Sioux River Greenway and the Levitt) and downtown Sioux Falls. This project also created a new open-air shelter for gatherings. 

Jacobson Plaza has been named after the Garry and Dianne Jacobson Family, who gifted $5.5 million through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation to support the development of this signature park. This contribution is not just a financial one; it’s a profound expression of a family’s deep-rooted commitment to the community that’s shaped them. 

The Jacobson family’s gift served as a catalyst, sparking additional significant philanthropic support. T. Denny Sanford and the Lloyd Family contributed to the splash pad and dog park. The Downtown Rotary Club also raised $250,000 toward the project. 

The public is invited to celebrate the official opening with the Patriotic Kickoff to a week of Independence Day celebrations at 6 p.m. on June 30. Later, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will take place at 4:30 p.m. on July 23. The event will feature remarks from the Jacobson Family, Mayor Paul TenHaken, other key donors, and city officials, followed by activities at all of Jacobson Plaza’s amenities, including food at The Lodge. 

Jacobson Plaza is located at 810 North Phillips Avenue. Park hours are from 5 a.m. to midnight. The splash pad will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. To learn more about Jacobson Plaza and the rest of The Falls, visit explorethefalls.org.