Jacobson Plaza ready to roll with skate rental, special events ahead

Roller-skating has started at Jacobson Plaza, including skate rental.

Park namesake Garry Jacobson donated about 300 pairs of roller and in-line skates that children and adults will be able to use on the ice ribbon.

Since the plaza opened its playground, splash pad and dog park in July, “it’s been so busy and so good, and it’s going to get even busier, I have a feeling,” said Jackie Nelson, recreation manager for the city of Sioux Falls.

Before school started, Jacobson Plaza was drawing between 2,500 and 3,200 guests each day, “so it’s been absolutely just crazy,” she said.

Now, there’s one more reason to visit: Roller skates have arrived. Skates can be rented for $3 through an online system or in person at The Lodge, which includes event space and a restaurant. Skaters who rent must wear socks.

Rental hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 12 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The restaurant itself “is outperforming expectations,” said Mike McGreevey, general manager for food and beverage.

“It’s family-friendly, reasonable, and the smash burgers come out, so fast it’s great.”

The Lodge also is offering NFL Sunday Ticket.

Roller-skating will be offered on the ribbon through October. The goal is to begin offering ice skating on the refrigerated rink for Winter Wonderland on Nov. 21.

“But with this donation of roller skates and in-line skates, we’ll be able to function year-round on the ice ribbon as a skating ribbon, so that’s a big thing,” Nelson said.

She anticipates hosting skate parties with music and different themes.

Additionally, the Parks and Recreation Department is planning other activities in the area:

• Sept. 14: Science in the Park

This event is geared for age 8 to 18 with experiments and hands-on science stations from 1 to 3 p.m. Bring your own experiment or project to compete in a science fair. Participants must register before 5 p.m. Wednesday.

• Sept. 27: Chalk the Walk

Bring your creativity to Jacobson Plaza from 1 to 3 p.m. for an afternoon of creating vibrant designs with colorful chalk.

• Sept. 28: Pup-A-Thon

Bring your dog for a fun run and walk from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Register before 5 p.m. Tuesday and you’ll receive a T-shirt. This event is open to all ages and fitness levels.

• Oct. 11: Not-so-scary Trail or Treat

Put on your costume and visit the trick-or-treat trail as the skating ribbon transforms into a path for treats, games and photo opportunities from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. And bring your furry trick-or-treater for a separate Woof or Treat at Pawsible Dog Park. Plus, enjoy free apple cider and hot chocolate.

• Oct. 12: Plaza Play Day

Stop at Lloyd Landing from 1 to 3 p.m. for oversized yard games. Bring a picnic blanket, and pack a lunch or snacks if you’d like.

• Oct. 25: Plaza Pumpkin Trot, Pumpkin Glow Walk

Start this Halloween adventure at Lloyd Landing where you can run or walk to Jacobson Plaza, pick out a pumpkin and bring it back to Lloyd Landing to carve or paint. Then, you’ll leave it for the Glow Walk that evening. Registration is required with time slots designated by age. The Glow Walk will run from 5 to 8 p.m. with a trail of lit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaria bags.

Ongoing activities include the seniors’ SAIL program — Stay Active and Independent for Life — which is hosted at Jacobson Plaza, as well as the department’s junior park steward program, which teaches kids age 6 to 10 “how to be an explorer and take care of parks and discover wildlife,” Nelson said.

More amenities are coming to the area too. Beginning this fall, green space will be developed on the east side of the dog park  and around Levitt at the Falls to provide better overall connectivity within Falls Park and to The Steel District.

For a full fall guide to parks activities, visit here.