City Council considers donation that would expand Falls Park

An offer of land adjacent to Falls Park is getting a second look before the Sioux Falls City Council agrees to accept it.

Greg and Sheri Carmon, owners of Midwest Railcar Repair, would like to donate 1.3 acres valued at $1 million to the city for incorporation into Falls Park.

The area and the city-owned quarry just south of it are envisioned to be incorporated into the park as part of the city’s approved Falls Park master plan.

“As soon as that became a reality, we began acquiring some of the property around that area,” said Mike Patten, park development manager.

The Carmons “were super-supportive of the idea and loved the idea of it becoming a park, so that came to fruition, and now that the Falls Park master plan is wrapped up, we’re looking to move forward on that donation,” he said.

A vision for the area includes native plants, exposed quartzite and a cantilevered boardwalk and overlook for a pond.

It also could allow fishing access and a potential welcome building or office for activity at the nearby quarry.

The property would be known as the Carmon Family Glen at Falls Park.

When the City Council was presented with the donation, councilors asked for information about the environmental state of the land.

Patten said there had not been a formal assessment done and that the assumption is remediation would be needed similar to other former industrial property in the area.

The council will consider the donation at its May 4 meeting but could defer a vote to request a more formal environmental study.

The city would level the building on the property shortly after taking ownership and likely convert it to green space until future park development is planned, Patten said.

“It will be natural area and sit as is,” he said. “In the Falls Park master plan, we show that as a place for people to get up close to the water, experience nature … kind of an escape form the urban environment. If you live in the Whittier neighborhood … you’ll be able to get out into nature in your own neighborhood.”

Eventually, the entire area around the quarry could be redeveloped, including “some form of active recreation,” but that would involved more detailed meetings for public input about what features are incorporated, he added.

The city also purchased land just to the south from the Meierhenry family and has been using a building there for park-related storage.