Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: Freezin' (at least overnight)
This week, you'll get the latest on the parks department's five-year plan. Plus, remember the neighborhood building a ballpark? It's even cooler than expected. And don't miss some Super Simplified Stories and a whole bunch of spooky season events to keep the Halloween vibes going into next week.
And now, news:
CITY
Why the city is looking for more leeway to up park fees
Simplified: As the parks department completes its master plan for the next five years, the city is looking for more authority to increase park fees without City Council approval – as well as a more strategic approach citywide to what costs money to use, and what doesn't.
Why it matters
- Parks department fee discussions came up Tuesday afternoon when department leadership briefed the council on its new five-year master plan. One key goal of the plan is long-term sustainability, which includes a goal to "modernize the pricing policy."
- Sioux Falls doesn't currently have a pricing policy – essentially a tiered system for looking at when the goal of the city is to recoup costs versus providing free amenities, but as many as 95% of park systems do, according to Assistant Parks Director Brett Kollars.
- The lack of a set policy here means many fees haven't been adjusted in 20 to 25 years, Kollars added. It doesn't mean the public will have to start paying more to use all park amenities, though, Director Don Kearney said, adding that it'll be a priority to make sure those most in need still have access.
"We don’t want to create barriers," Kearney said. "But we also want to make sure that what we’re offering is sustainable so that we can continue to support operations, because they are expensive to operate."
What else is in the master plan?
COMMUNITY
How a neighborhood ballpark exceeded expectations
Simplified: What started the year as an empty green space has been transformed into a baseball diamond thanks to an idea and a group of neighbors committed to making it all happen.
Why it matters
- Folks in the south-central Heather Ridge neighborhood started fundraising this spring after receiving a $12,000 grant from the city to help fund a baseball diamond in Prairie Meadows Park, located next to Harrisburg's Journey Elementary School.
- They started with a goal of $150,000, and they ended up raising $175,000, according to neighbor Emily Fink, including a five-figure donation from Sammons Financial and grassroots efforts to knock on doors in the neighborhood and solicit donations from local businesses.
- The new field – which officially opens this weekend – shows what can happen when the community rallies around a cause.
"When you have groups like this that want to be engaged, that want to partner with the city, it just allows us to accomplish so much more than we could do on tax dollars alone," Parks Planning and Project Manager Mike Patten said.
Tell me more
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- Share your arts & culture priorities. The city's long-range arts and culture planning process is underway after an initial public meeting last week. Now, there's an opportunity to share your input via online survey. Share your thoughts here.
- Councilor resigns. Councilor Sarah Cole announced her resignation late last week. Cole, a local physician, was elected in 2022, and will serve her last day on the council Dec. 3. In a statement, Cole said she's accepted a professional opportunity out-of-state.
- "It has been an honor to serve the residents of Sioux Falls," Cole stated. "I am grateful for the trust, support, and collaboration I have experienced during my time on council."
- Get rid of pesky pests.* Fox Pest Control, one of the top pest control companies in the country, is now open in Sioux Falls. They offer same-day service and can help you deal with rodents, spiders, ants, termites, bed bugs and more. Learn more here.
- Baby snow leopard has a name. The new baby snow leopard at the Great Plains Zoo officially has a name: Asha. The name, pronounced "AH-shah" was chosen by the public through a naming contest. Here's a recent photo of the cub that was born on the zoo campus earlier this year:
*Denotes a paid partnership
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Oct. 22-28
- Eat pork.* You've got just over a week to check out the most creative, savory, and mouthwatering pork creations downtown has to offer. The DTSF Pork Showdown runs through Oct. 31, and with more than two dozen participating restaurants, there's something for everyone. See the full lineup here.
- Get spooky. It's Spooky Science at the Washington Pavilion this weekend. Swing by Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for science experiments, crafts, face painting and, of course, treats. Details here.
- Trick or treat. Downtown Sioux Falls is also hosting a trick or treat event this weekend, where kids can go from business to business and even snag a free ice cream cone at Falls Overlook Cafe. Details here.
- Trick or treat (inclusive version). Teachwell Solutions is hosting an adaptive and inclusive trunk-or-treat event for children, teens and adults with special needs. It'll take place starting at 5 p.m. Friday and will also include live music from Phil Baker. Details here.
- Trick or treat (underwater version). The Butterfly House and Aquarium is hosting "Spooky Seas" Saturday with activities including a haunted shipwreck exploration, a photo scavenger hunt, a chance to meet The Little Mermaid and a free treat bag while supplies last. Learn more and get tickets here.
- Go to (zombie) prom. There's no zombie walk this year, but don't let that stop you from dressing up and channeling your inner undead. Remedy Brewing is hosting Zombie Prom kicking off Saturday at noon. Details here.
*Denotes a paid partnership
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Get a look inside the new juvenile justice center
Minnehaha County is nearly ready to open its new, $42 million juvenile justice center, and before the kids in custody move to their new digs, the county invited media to tour the facility Thursday morning.
Megan Raposa
How Sioux Falls is serving its homeless population
Collaboration between the city and various social service providers is showing promising results, Homelessness Services Coordinator Michelle Treasure told the City Council earlier this week.
Megan Raposa
Meet the storyteller documenting homelessness in Sioux Falls
When people talk about homelessness in Sioux Falls, it’s often seen or described as one big homogeneous issue. Jackie Barr is trying to change that narrative with a storytelling project to shine a light on the individual people who make up the unhoused community.
Megan Raposa
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