Simplified: Jeff and Tammie Broin this week announced a donation of 20 acres of land they own to the City of Sioux falls, which will expand Great Bear Recreation Park to the south. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- This isn't the first time the Broins have donated to the city. Jeff – the founder and CEO of Poet – and his wife, Tammie, also donated a total of $1.3 million to the city through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. That money, gifted in partnership with the Ashby family, helped construct an additional mile of recreation trail from Lien Park to Bahnson Avenue.
- Great Bear currently has more than 220 acres and has been a recreational destination for 60 years with winter sports and summer trails for hiking and mountain biking.
- There's no immediate plan for the additional 20 acres, according to a news release from the city, but it'll give the city more flexibility in future master planning. It'll also serve as natural conservation space in the meantime.
“Our family truly enjoys Sioux Falls and being members of this great community,” said Jeff Broin in a news release. “We think South Dakota is a unique and amazing state and Sioux Falls is a great place to live and work. It’s our hope that this land will help the city create a new recreational area that will be enjoyed for generations to come.”
What happens next?
The donation moves to the parks board and ultimately to the City Council for final approval.
