New campaign aims to fund almost 30 projects in 19 state parks

From amphitheaters and bridges to playgrounds and picnic shelters, 19 state parks and recreation areas would see improvements as part of a major new fundraising effort.

Instead of launching a campaign to fund one major improvement — such as the development of Good Earth State Park or upgrades to the Outdoor Campus — the newest effort aims to fund almost 30 smaller projects across South Dakota.

All images are conceptual representations of projects subject to final design.

“This is a very different format from what we’ve done in the past, but … we don’t have that big project right now. We have all these projects that continue to be on our list but just never right to the top,” said Jeff VanMeeteren, director of the division of parks and recreation with the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Department.

“They’re all great projects. They’re in our five-year plan, but when you’re competing with fundamental park needs like bathrooms, roads, preventative maintenance and utilities … these projects won’t rise to the top.”

The hope is that they’re attractive to donors, who can choose to fund a specific project or give to the overall $10 million goal set to fund all of them.

“It’s an exciting one. It’s the biggest one we’ve ever committed to,” said Kristina Coby, executive director of the South Dakota Parks & Wildlife Foundation, whose board voted to approve the campaign. “It’s a great opportunity to make a huge impact and an unprecedented effort.”

The list of projects was developed by Game, Fish & Parks.

“We have projects all over the state, and that’s intentional,” VanMeeteren said.

“We can touch all areas of the state. None of these were time-sensitive. But I don’t think any of these would take more than a year to get going, some even sooner than that.”

The goal is to fund the entire amount in five years, but if a donor stepped forward for a specific project, that could come sooner.

Here’s a sampling of projects included in the Sioux Falls metro area.

Palisades State Park

The Garretson-area park would receive a bridge across Split Rock Creek, opening up access to the western portion of the park’s new property. Using historic bridge abutments, the area’s character would be preserved while connecting visitors to new areas to explore.

The amphitheater would be transformed into a vibrant hub with expanded parking overlooking the creek and accommodate everything from concerts to weddings.

Good Earth State Park

The Lincoln County park southeast of Sioux Falls would receive a new inclusive playground with full ADA-compliance for its youngest visitors, combined with a new observation deck. It would provide new views of the park’s historic village and intriguing pitted boulder, enhancing visitors’ understanding of the culturally significant area.

Big Sioux Recreation Area

The Brandon-area park would receive a new fully enclosed picnic shelter with sewer and water that could accommodate up to 100 people, along with an improved amphitheater to provide an inviting and functional space with improved ADA accessibility.

Wall Lake

The aging wooden bridge at Wall Lake west of Sioux Falls would be replaced with a wider steel bridge, making it more durable and functional. The area is popular for fishing, and the improvement is expected to enhance the experience for anglers.

Elsewhere around the state, there are multiple indoor fish cleaning stations planned in northeastern South Dakota at Hartford Beach State Park and Lake Poinsett Recreation Area, which would offer a fully equipped, comfortable place to clean fish.

“It’s the indoor aspect that’s going to extend the season,” Coby said. “A lot of people ice fish and might not use the fish clean station, but this adds to the amenities the state park system offers, so I’m really excited about that.”

A number of improvements are slated for Fort Sisseton State Park, including a visitor and education center, playground, interpretive displays and an amphitheater.

On the west side of the state, improvements include a welcome center and ADA-accessible amphitheater at Custer State Park and a bridge replacement and interpretive signage on the George Mickelson Trail.

Coby said she has seen early enthusiasm from donors.

“Just looking at our donor prospects and long-standing relationships with some very generous donors, we know this is the type of campaign that is going to build momentum,” she said.

“It’s been wonderful. I thought they’d be most interested in choosing their favorite park or what they’re really passionate about, but the message coming through is that they’re really enjoying the opportunity to improve the entire state park system instead of one park at a time. It feels like a bigger impact to them.”

For the full list of projects, click here: State Park Projects.

To learn more about donating to the campaign, visit here.