Recreation

Recreation. . While the Big Sioux River was primarily of industrial importance to the settlement of Sioux Falls, it also has an equally important history for recreation. , The First Public Report of the Board of Parks Supervisors of 1915-1920 called for improving the riverfront from Seventh to Tenth Streets and the creation of a river parkway. The river woodlands were an important natural recreational resource, but most were privately owned in the 1920s. If a public parkway could be formed, it would provide public access to river trails and places for camping, picnicking, boating, canoeing, and fishing. , The industrial dams across the river just upstream from the falls, especially the Cascade Mill Dam north of Eight Street, had an important effect on recreation. Dams caused water to pond as far south as 26th Street. Several boats had docks at the river and patrons could take excursions for pleasure. In the winter, the mill pond behind the dam was wide and provided an ideal place for ice skaters. , With community growth and increased interest in active recreation such as biking, planning efforts picked up in the 1960s. The 1969 Sioux Falls Waterfront Plan addressed the entire length of the river. The Big Sioux River Greenway Plan was adopted in 1975 and focused on the creation of several parks connected by a trail system on floodplain land. The bike trail was first opened to the public in 1977 and has continued to grow throughout the years. Current planning is under way to shape the trail system over the next several years, including connections to neighboring communities. , In 2004, the City of Sioux Falls and Forward Sioux Falls commissioned the Sioux Falls Greenway and Riverfront Master Plan. Public input was gathered to guide the future development of the trail system. One of the four zones identified for improvement was the downtown riverfront between Falls Park and Cliff Avenue. Opportunities identified by the public included a downtown river walk, urban river edge, riverside dining, pedestrian river crossings, and an amphitheater. , Implementation began in 2006 with detailed planning and permitting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Construction of the first phase between Sixth and Eighth Streets was completed in 2011. Future phases could include a complete trail loop on both sides of the river from Falls Park to Fawick Park, new pedestrian river crossings, and improved access to adjacent development both downtown and on the east bank of the Big Sioux River.