Park priorities: Sioux Falls residents push for recreation options, neighborhood parks

Sioux Falls residents largely are happy with the city’s parks system — but have plenty on their wish list for improvements.

More than 1,500 people participated in some kind of survey or input as the city’s Parks & Recreation Department put together its new five-year comprehensive plan.

That includes 483 people who responded to a statistically valid survey, meaning it represents the demographics of the community and reflects the input of people who use the parks as well as those who don’t.

“The satisfaction levels were very high for both programs and for quality of parks and trails in the city,” said Will Younger, principal at Indianapolis-based Pros Consulting, which is facilitating the plan.

In Sioux Falls, 92 percent of respondents said they were very satisfied, satisfied or neutral in their opinion of the parks system, versus 8 percent who are dissatisfied. Of those who had visited a park facility, 91 percent said it was good or excellent, versus 82 percent nationally. Half of respondents said they had participated in a park program, with 91 percent rating it good or excellent, versus 85 percent nationally.

When asked to rank their household’s need for programs, two-thirds said they needed adult fitness and wellness programs, followed by nature programs and special events.

Those priorities continued when asked to name four programs most important to their household.

Respondents also were asked about the need for facilities and amenities, with more than 80 percent asking for walking and hiking trails, small neighborhood parks and large community parks.

Based on that data, the consultants put together a priority ranking for new investments in this order:

• Small neighborhood parks
• Walking/hiking trails
• Natural areas/wildlife habitats
• Indoor swimming/leisure pool
• Indoor playground
• Indoor running/walking track
• Paved bike trails
• Indoor fitness and exercise facilities
• Outdoor swimming pools and water parks
• Large community parks

“We’re excited to get a new chapter laid out for the next five years,” director of parks and recreation Don Kearney said. “With the survey results, people continue to say indoor recreation, indoor health and wellness, continues to be a top priority for the community. The results reinforced what we’ve been doing is exactly what they want us to continue to do.”

The last five-year plan was done in 2019 and resulted in some changes and new priorities for the Parks & Recreation Department as it shifted away from community centers in elementary schools and focused on multigenerational indoor recreation.

In the past five years, the city has opened the Westside Recreation Center, put plans in place for a multigenerational recreation center at Frank Olson Park, opened the multifaceted year-round Jacobson Plaza downtown and added overall to its health and wellness programming.

“I can’t remember a time where we’ve developed a plan that we’ve been able to actually check the box on so many of the recommendations and strategies,” Kearney said.

The public response to the new Westside Recreation Center in the former Sanford Wellness Center near Ellis Road and 32nd Street has been swift, according to usage data. Despite not retaining 44 percent of former Sanford Wellness members, overall usage is above projections and drawing more than 700 daily visitors.

“We believe we’re reaching a different demographic,” Kearney said. “Diversity has increased significantly, household income has dropped significantly from what used to be the membership base.”

The city “continues to invest in small neighborhood parks and trails,” he added, while noting the demand for indoor space is a trend that’s being reinforced.

“Year-round recreation is still a major theme, whether that’s indoor activities or outdoor space, keeping up with the growth,” Younger agreed. “The population increases in the last five years have been significant. And continuing to allow accessibility, whether that be for neighborhood parks or other parks of all age groups.”

The consultants plan to come back in September with preliminary recommendations for the five-year plan, including program, funding and revenue strategies. The goal is to have a new plan approved by the city’s Parks and Recreation Board and the City Council this fall.