Simplified: The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday got an update on the city's recreation trail system, including updates on expansions underway as well as improvements to come in the next couple of years.

Why it matters

  • Sioux Falls has more than 44 miles of trails, and there are plans to continue expanding and creating more connectivity across town as the city grows.
  • Many of the plans for future expansion align with the city's Bicycle Plan, which was approved by the City Council in 2023. That plan, in conjunction with a 2022 ordinance requiring developers to account for the future bike trail plans, gives "teeth" to the parks department's work in expanding trails, Park Development Manager Mike Patten said.
  • Right now, there are three main priorities for expansion: the Cherry Creek corridor on the northwest side of town, the Big Sioux River corridor connecting Lien Park to Bahnson Avenue, and the Eastside corridor north of Arrowhead Parkway out to the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum.
    • And, in the long-term, there's a chance the east-side trail could go even farther east and connect to trails in Brandon, Patten said.
"I think we all want to see it happen," Patten said, explaining the jurisdictional and logistical challenges. "It's just something that's going to take some time."

Tell me more about the work going on right now

The west-side trail over by Cherry Creek will eventually connect folks from Family Park up to University Center in the northwest side of town.

The Big Sioux River corridor will run along the river from Lien Park to Bahnson Avenue.

  • That stretch of trail is particularly cool, Patten said, because it'll be the city's only elevated boardwalk (pictured above).
"It allows us to continue a path at an ADA accessible grade while still traversing some pretty challenging terrain," Patten said.

Over on the east side, the trail will connect from Arrowhead Parkway near 10th Street out to the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum.

What about maintenance projects?

The biggest one coming up is a replacement of the trail along Southeastern Avenue – one of the most popular spots of the city's bike trails, Patten noted.

That stretch of trail will be designed next year with plans for replacement in 2027.