City's Health and Parks Departments Collaborate on Community Wellbeing

Published on June 24, 2026

The City of Sioux Falls is aligning its parks and recreation planning with public health data, using a Community Health Assessment (CHA) to guide future investments in parks, trails and recreation programs.

The collaboration between the city’s Parks and Recreation and Public Health departments is intended to ensure recreation investments align with residents’ needs and are informed by data from the CHA.

“Parks and recreation and public health are deeply connected,” said Brett Kollars, assistant director of Parks and Recreation for the city. "The places where people walk, play, exercise and connect with neighbors have a direct impact on physical health, mental health and overall wellbeing."

The department's commitment to serving residents is reflected through its accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, known as CAPRA. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has maintained CAPRA accreditation since 2010.

Considered the accreditation standard for parks and recreation agencies, CAPRA evaluates planning, operations, safety, community engagement and service delivery. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department earned a perfect score in 2025, placing it among the nation’s top agencies.

The accreditation process emphasizes data-driven planning, measurable outcomes and goals that align closely with the CHA.

Conducted every three years, the assessment is a collaborative effort involving the city’s Public Health Department, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sanford Health and the Sioux Falls Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

The CHA combines resident surveys, stakeholder focus groups, and local, state, and national health data to identify health needs in the community.

"The Community Health Assessment provides a comprehensive picture of the health challenges and opportunities facing Sioux Falls residents," said Jaimie Roggenbauer, public health program manager for the city. "The information helps us focus resources where we can make the greatest impact."

Findings from the CHA align with priorities identified through the city’s Park System Master Plan, where residents identify neighborhood parks, trails, natural areas and indoor recreation spaces as key needs. The combined data informs planning for parks, facilities and recreation programs across Sioux Falls.

Several major projects reflect these priorities, including the Frank Olson Recreation Center, scheduled to open in 2029; the Kuehn Park Family Aquatic Center, expected to open in summer 2028; continued expansion of the city’s trail system; and additional neighborhood parks in growing areas of Sioux Falls.

Recreation programs can also influence outcomes beyond physical and mental health. Access to safe, supervised recreational opportunities has been linked to positive youth development and reduced juvenile crime.

Community gathering spaces and recreation programming create opportunities for social connection and youth engagement, while parks and green spaces contribute to environmental health and neighborhood quality of life. The partnership between public health and parks and recreation extends to programming, with the Public Health Department hosting community events in city parks and collaborating with parks and recreation to connect residents with resources that support healthy living.

The CHA follows a three-year planning, assessment and publication process. The current cycle is underway and is expected to conclude with the publication of the next assessment in January 2028.

Parks and recreation and public health will continue using assessment findings, community feedback and long-range planning to guide future investments in parks, facilities, programs and services that address the evolving needs of Sioux Falls residents.

For more information on the city’s Health Department, visit siouxfalls.gov/health and for more information on the Parks and Recreation Department, visit siouxfalls.gov/parks.