S.D. Searchlight- A foundation that helps fund outdoor recreation projects in South Dakota has launched a $10 million fundraising campaign.
The five-year effort aims to support 28 projects across the state that would otherwise face delays due to budget constraints.
Representatives of the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation discussed the campaign at the Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club’s Monday meeting at the Holiday Inn Sioux Falls City Centre. The foundation works with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks to fund projects that improve outdoor recreational facilities and conserve wildlife habitats.
The campaign is titled “Great Places Don’t Just Happen.”
“Without the foundation’s help, these projects are going to take years and years to happen,” said Jeff VanMeeteren, GF&P director of parks and recreation.
The projects range from amphitheaters, hiking trail bridges and playgrounds to a proposed $1 million west-side welcome center for Custer State Park.
Kevin Nyberg, foundation board member and president of the South Dakota Retailers Association, highlighted the economic impact of outdoor recreation in the state, which he said amounts to $1.3 billion annually. He said that includes $638 million from hunting, $271 million from fishing and $212 million from parks.
“Those businesses that benefit off the system, in my opinion, need to realize the system helped make them, and give back to the system,” Nyberg said.
In addition to the campaign, the foundation is raising $3 million for an expansion of the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls. The project will feature new indoor and outdoor archery ranges, a game processing space with a walk-in cooler, a meat smoking and grilling space, and an improved bird viewing area.
Past foundation projects include funding the new visitor center and renovation of the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center at Custer State Park. The foundation has also supported the development of Good Earth State Park, and the expansions of Rapid City’s Outdoor Campus and Palisades State Park near Garretson.
The foundation took in $1.38 million in revenue in 2023 and spent $4.5 million, leaving it with $12.4 million in total assets. Kristina Coby, the foundation’s executive development director, said those assets include land the foundation owns and makes money on through leasing agreements, and endowment principal that the foundation cannot touch.
Projects that would benefit from the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s $10 million campaign:
Mickelson Trail: Kaubisch Bridge replacement; Signage
Palisades State Park: Split Rock Creek bridge; Amphitheater; Playground surfacing
Fort Sisseton State Park: Displays; Playground; Visitor center; Amphitheater/Event stage
Hartford Beach State Park: Indoor fish cleaning station
Oakwood Lakes State Park: Education center
Lake Herman State Park: Education center
Lake Poinsett Recreation Area: Indoor fish cleaning station
Custer State Park: Welcome Center West
Good Earth State Park: Playground; Observation deck
Walkers Point Recreation Area: Picnic shelter
Lake Thompson Recreation Area: Picnic shelter
Pickerel Lake Recreation Area: Picnic shelter
Big Sioux Recreation Area: Picnic shelter; Amphitheater
Adams Homestead: Playground additions
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area: Playground
Springfield Recreation Area: One to five-acre land acquisition
Wall Lake Lakeside Use Area: Island access bridge
Newton Hills State Park: Sargent Creek overlook platform
Cow Creek Recreation Area: Playground
Spring Creek Golf Course: Trail