City, Donors Support the Latest Recreation Trail System Expansion

Published on May 29, 2026

Thanks in part to private donations, the City of Sioux Falls’ Recreation Trail is one mile longer with the completion of the Big Sioux River Trail Corridor project.

The Big Sioux River Trail Corridor project expanded the recreation trail at Lien Park, located on North Cliff Avenue, to Bahnson Avenue in northeast Sioux Falls. The one-mile expansion added a multi-use trail along the north side of the Big Sioux River and included an elevated boardwalk, the first of its kind in the city’s recreation trail system. Of the $2.7 million project, $1.3 million was given through private donations from the Jeff and Tammie Broin family and the Ashby family.

“Access to and expansion of the recreation trail system is a top priority identified by the community,” said Brett Kollars, assistant director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “The Big Sioux River Trail Corridor project is an excellent example of the public/private partnerships we’ve been grateful to have across the city's parks and recreation system. These quality-of-life investments would not be possible without the generosity of our philanthropic community. Thank you, on behalf of Sioux Falls, to the Broins and Ashbys.”

Donations from the Broin and Ashby families were gifted through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, a local nonprofit that, in partnership with donors, seeks to enrich the quality of life in the area through philanthropy.

“The new section of the recreation trail is truly amazing,” said Mary Kolsrud, chief philanthropy officer with the Community Foundation. “This is a beautiful example of how philanthropy can help improve our community and offer more opportunities for all of us.”

The Ashby family’s gift honors their loved ones and their deep connection to cycling.

“Our family has been cycling for more than 50 years, for pleasure and health reasons,” Gene Ashby said. “After Chris died, we did a memorial ride from Luverne to Sioux Falls and added the Luverne trail in his honor. Now, we have added to the Sioux Falls trail in honor of my late wife, Barb. We hope this section will be enjoyed by many Sioux Falls residents.”

The Broins have invested in many quality-of-life projects across Sioux Falls.

“We were excited to help extend the recreation trail, opening up more beautiful places for people to enjoy and experience all that Sioux Falls has to offer for generations to come,” Jeff Broin said. “The Ashby family and the Community Foundation also helped bring this vision to life.”

The Big Sioux River Trail Corridor is open for public use and is accessible from Bahnson Avenue from the east, just north of East Rice Street, and Lien Park from the west.

The project expands the city’s recreation trail system to more than 45 miles. The recreation trail is open year-round and daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., except for Falls Park and the Downtown River Greenway, which close at midnight. The recreation trail is accessible from 11 main park access points. To learn more about safety rules and tips while using the recreation trail, visit siouxfalls.gov/trailsafety.

For more information on the recreation trail, visit siouxfalls.gov/activities-recreation/parks-trails/trails/recreation-trail.