Jacobson Plaza adding bumper cars, curling, more events at new ice ribbon

It’s looking like the ice at Jacobson Plaza is as popular as the rest of the new downtown park’s attractions.

Since the park’s ice ribbon opened in late November, more than 18,000 visitors have come to Jacobson Plaza — on pace to reach 20,000 by the end of this month.

“It’s been going great,” said Eric Saathoff, recreation program coordinator at Jacobson Plaza. “The ice ribbon has been going really well since we introduced it.”

Photo courtesy Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation Department

During schools’ holiday break, the ice ribbon was averaging about 740 visitors per day, hitting more than 1,000 on three consecutive Saturdays.

“On Friday night, we get a lot of people out on a date night, and that’s been really fun to see,” Saathoff said.

The ice ribbon also is rolling out several new additions this month.

On Thursday nights beginning this week and going through February, Jacobson Plaza will host six bumper cars from 6 to 8 p.m. Book a 45-minute skate like usual and you can use the bumper cars for free. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall. It’s $5 to use the bumper cars or if bring your own skates and $8 if you’re also renting skates.

Each ride on the bumper cars is three minutes, and rides are unlimited during the skate time you’ve reserved.

Here’s the full schedule:

Ice time is reserved online or by walking up as available.

“For most people, 45 minutes is a good chunk of time to be outside,” Saathoff said. “Some people do choose to purchase additional blocks, and we’re glad to provide that for them.”

Curling equipment also can be used now at Jacobson Plaza.

It’s available during warming house hours on a first come, first served basis.

There are multiple special events coming up at Jacobson Plaza too.

On Jan. 24 -25, the warming house will be “decked out with Hawaiian vibes” for an Aloha Night event, bringing a taste of the tropics to a cold January night.

There will be free leis to the first 200 guests each day, “and a bunch of different contests going on throughout the ribbon and green space and warming house,” Saathoff said. “It’s a great opportunity for families if they haven’t come out yet and don’t know how the kids will like skating because there are other opportunities to partake in.”

To register, click here.

Beginning in February, Mondays will be Mascot Monday, offering guests the chance to visit with mascots from the Sioux Falls Stampede and Sioux Falls Canaries, as well as skate with members of the Augustana University men’s hockey team. All events will be from 6 to 8 p.m. The dates are Feb. 2, 9 and 23 with no event Feb. 16.

“It’s a chance for the community to interact with those teams and skate,” Saathoff said. “Just a little something extra on Monday nights.”

The Jacobson Plaza Pawsible Dog Park is still seeing use through winter and will host a Doggie Date Night on Feb. 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Expect photo-ops, a doggie treat bar, DIY artist pup canvas, a Yappy Hour lounge with “mockTAILS” and paw prize raffles.

Other February events include a Valentine’s Day Date Skate on Feb. 14 and a Family Fun Skate on Feb. 22.

The warming house also can be reserved for parties and special events.

“It’s a great value — you get ice time along with the party room,” Saathoff said. “Every weekend, we’re hosting birthday parties, family gatherings, and also during the week two or three times. It’s been very well received, but there’s always capacity for more people to take part in the reservations there.”

Reservations are done through Washington Pavilion Management Inc., which operates The Lodge. Click here to learn more.

The hope is to keep the ice available through St. Patrick’s Day events.

“It’s a very weather-dependent activity, so after St. Patrick’s Day, we’ll look at the ice, and as it melts, we’ll be ready to announce when roller-skating returns,” Saathoff said.