Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Warm and windy
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📝A programming note: Friday will be the last issue of 2025. Enjoy some time off from news, connect with your loved ones, support local businesses and then buckle up because 2026 is gonna be BIG.
This week, you know that thing where you have to kinda do a little extra work before you can take a vacation? This week's newsletter is like that. There's a TON of information in here, but if you read through it, you'll get a break next week and the week after.
- That said, today you'll learn about the Falls Park master plan, what's new at the zoo and a bus that'll help kids' mental health. Plus, I've stuffed 2.5 weeks worth of events into this event guide, so you can plan fun from now to the new year!
And now, news:
CITY
How the city is envisioning the future of Falls Park
Simplified: The Sioux Falls City Council on Tuesday got an updated look at the long-range master plan for Falls Park – including plans to make the park even more of a destination for both tourists and locals. Here's the status of the plan so far.
Why it matters
- The master planning process has been going on for several years now – and it's been decades since city has done master planning for its namesake park. Back in 2021, the city held a competition asking designers to think big about what the future of the park could look like in the coming decades. Since winning that competition, Confluence has been working on the master plan design.
- Principal Designer Jon Jacobson shared an update on that design with councilors Tuesday, including a look at a future Falls Park with more green space, better vehicle circulation, and a bigger pedestrian bridge for viewing across the falls themselves.
- The plan was met with some skepticism from councilors who questioned why no aspects of the master plan were included in the city's five-year capital spending plan, why no cost estimates were included in the overall vision for the park and what will happen if the city's idea of recreation changes over the years.
"This plan is an idea on paper, and it's not chiseled into stone," Park Development Manager Mike Patten said. "It's a living document, so as things evolve, as the community grows, as it changes, I would expect this vision to adapt to those changes over time."
What's in the plan?
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
What a mobile therapy office would mean for Sioux Falls kids
This is a paid piece from Encompass Mental Health, LLC.
Simplified: Encompass Mental Health is looking to extend its mission to meet kids where they are with the help of a mobile play therapy bus to create a safe, secure space for kids and therapists to interact. And if nonprofit partner Finding Better Tomorrows meets its fundraising goal, Sioux Falls could be one of the first cities in the nation to have this service available.
Why it matters
- The logistics of getting kids to therapy can be a major barrier for families – especially if it means taking time off work or time away from school. Encompass Mental Health (EMH) is already bridging this gap for families by offering the option for therapists to meet kids where they are in school or childcare.
- It's a great way to ensure kids get the care they need – and it results in a 10% decrease in cancellations, according to Director of Outreach Madison Kyle. But EMH is increasingly facing challenges of finding a safe, private, appropriate space for kids to engage in play therapy. Often, classrooms are full, and therapists in some cases are making due by holding sessions in supply closets.
- The biggest obstacle to making the bus a reality is cost. Kyle estimates it'd cost $180,000 to get the bus fitted out as a therapy space – not counting ongoing operational costs. To help make it happen, Finding Better Tomorrows is seeking donations as well as exploring grant opportunities.
"This bus would be a game-changer because it would further break down all of those barriers that prevent a kid from getting services," Kyle said.
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- More money for pools. The city this week announced a $1 million donation from Jennifer and Joe Kirby to support construction of the new Frank Olson Recreation Center. Part of the donation includes naming "The Kirby Pool" pending City Council approval. Pigeon 605 has the details.
- More money for motor graders. The Sioux Falls City Council unanimously approved an additional $2.4 million to purchase motor graders for snow removal rather than leasing them. The hope is it'll save as much as $7 million over the next 15 years as lease prices increase. The additional money will supplement the $8 million already approved during the budget process to buy the motor graders.
- Finance Director Shawn Pritchett told councilors Tuesday evening that buying new rather than used would ultimately save money for the city, but it'll cost a little more up-front to buy new – thus the $2.4 million supplement.
- Cat adoptions paused. Just a month after dealing with canine distemper, the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society is facing another illness – this time, in cats. Until the shelter can get to the bottom of what that feline illness is, cat adoptions are on pause. Dog adoptions will remain open, and owner surrenders are also paused. Find more details here.
- City moves services to City Center. Some key city offices have moved from City Hall to City Center. As of Monday, you'll find utility billing, public parking and fire prevention services at City Center (231 N. Dakota Ave) one block north of where they previously were at City Hall. Other departments located at City Center include parks and recreation, planning and development, and public works.
- Single? Wanna date on TV? The casting team of "Love Island USA" is looking for singles (and, for some reason, reaching out to Sioux Falls' hyperlocal news media to find them). Anyway, if you want to apply, you can do so here. Or, if you want to nominate someone, you can email LoveIslandUSACasting@ITV.com.
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
Get a look at what's new and what's in the works at the zoo
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.
Simplified: The Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium has a big, big vision for a combined campus that expands the organization's mission, connects guests with animals and promotes conservation. Here's a look at what's new, what's under construction and what's on the horizon.
Why it matters
- The Great Plains Zoo and the Butterfly House and Aquarium combined to form the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium (SFZA) back in 2023 with the long-term goal of bringing all exhibits onto the zoo campus. That goal is one step closer to reality with construction now underway on a new butterfly garden.
- The zoo also recently opened a brand new American Red Wolf habitat with more room for the critically endangered species, as well as species-specific features to mimic what they'd encounter in the wild.
- It's all part of SFZA's master plan to create a destination for both residents and visitors to Sioux Falls. Fundraising is still underway, and when completed, the Butterfly Garden, Education Center and Aquarium will mark the largest-ever investment of private capital into a city-owned facility, CEO Becky Dewitz said.
"What we're creating is truly a jewel," Dewitz said.
Tell me more about what's new, what's in the works and what's in the future plan
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Dec. 17-Jan. 1
- Dream of a White Christmas.* The Good Night Theatre Collective is bringing to life the classic Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" this weekend. Grab your devoted sisters, count your blessings and get ready for nothing but blue skies. Oh, and you'll want to snag tickets as soon as possible because they're selling out faster than the train to Vermont.
- Soak up the holiday sound. The Premiere Playhouse is hosting a "Holiday in Blue Cabaret" this weekend with performances Friday and Saturday. For only $15, you can snag a ticket and hear the holiday musical stylings of eight of your favorite local singers. Get your tickets here.
- See the luminaries. It's one of Sioux Falls' oldest holiday traditions: Luminary Lane. Neighbors in central Sioux Falls line the streets with luminaries (brown paper bags with candles inside) to create a magical vibe. It's worth a drive-by or walk-through if you've never seen it – check it out starting at 5:30 until about 9:30 p.m. Sunday evening on Park Avenue and Glendale Avenue between 22nd and 26th Streets.
- Sing carols and drink beer. Yup, that's pretty much the gist of it. Happening from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 at Woodgrain.
- Celebrate with a festive meal. There are a number of festive holiday dinners happening at local restaurants in the next couple weeks. Check out the Grinch-themed Who Feast & Roast Beast dinner at DaDa Gastropub, the Feast of the Seven Fishes at Harvester Kitchen, and the Nutcracker dinner at Fernson.
- Get a head start on your resolution to run more. 605 Running Co. is hosting a Falls Park Holiday Light Run Thursday evening starting at 6:05 p.m. at the downtown shop and following a route through the Falls Park lights. Details here.
- Ring in the New Year. There's also a ton of events happening on New Year's Eve – enough to make a little sub-category of events:
- For the partier: Check out PAve.
- For the partier who isn't in their 20s anymore: Check out Top Hats & Tiaras at Harvester Kitchen or party at Hello Hi or Dahlia's.
- For the music-lover: Check out Dueling Duos at The District.
- For the sporty-ish person: Get an hour of free bowling at Union Social from 8 p.m. to midnight,
- For the parents: Wings Gymnastics is hosting a "Noon Year's Eve" event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 31. (Note: In the past, the Washington Pavilion has also done this event each year, but I cannot for the life of me find it on their event calendar, so perhaps it's off for 2025?? – Someone tell me if it's on because my kids love it).
- Ring in the New Year (Jan. 1 edition). Want to start off your year with some meaningful movement? Join friends at Good Earth State Park for a First Day Hike at 2 p.m. on Jan. 1. The hike will be about one mile long, and it's free to attend, but you need a parks pass to visit the park.
*Denotes a paid partnership.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
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Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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Thank you
Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., Live on Stage, SafeSplash Swim School, Dakota State University, Redmond Prime Cuts, Great Bear Ski Valley, Encompass Mental Health, the Sioux Falls YMCA, EmBe, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium, the Washington Pavilion and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.
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