Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

A Park Born in Controversy / McKennan Park Zoo

McKennan Park Historic District

A Park Born in Controversy Marker image. Click for full size.

November 22, 2021

1. A Park Born in Controversy Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A Park Born in Controversy Helen McKennan's will, gifting 20 acres of land for a new park, became the center of intense public debate after her death in 1906. She also gave her home, the former residence of Col. Melvin Grigsby, to be sold to fund park improvements.

Mayor Frank W. Pillsbury considered selling 10 park acres with the home. Public sentiment and an emphatic appeal by Edwin A. Sherman, estate executor, convinced the City Council to honor the wishes of Helen McKennan. Creation and development of this 20-acre park was assured.

McKennan Park Zoo A 1915 McKennan Park inventory lists ostriches, deer, a monkey, wolves, opossum, pheasants, ducks, a pelican, eagles, a parrot, and phoenix fowl as the collection of animals and birds at the park.

Park Board president Edwin A. Sherman expressed concern about care required for the menagerie and about encroachment of the animal quarters, located in the northeast corner of the park, "on the picnic and pleasure grounds". The collections here and at other city parks were moved to Sherman Park in 1930 and evolved into

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the Great Plains Zoo.

Erected 2000 by the Sioux Falls Board of Preservation and the Minnehaha County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 43° 31.921′ N, 96° 43.369′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. Marker can be reached from South 4th Avenue west of East Park Drive, on the right when traveling south. Located in McKennan Park, north of the McKennan Wading Pool and west of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 E 26th St, Sioux Falls SD 57105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lady Liberty (a few steps from this marker); The Miniature Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Pillars of the Nation (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Col. Melvin Grigsby (1845-1917) (about 400 feet away); Helen Gale McKennan (about 600 feet away); Sioux Falls Municipal Band (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lost Bird (approx. half a mile away); From Glory to Glory (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

McKennan Park Zoo Marker image. Click for full size.

November 22, 2021

2. McKennan Park Zoo Marker

A Park Born in Controversy / McKennan Park Zoo Marker, from the north image. Click for full size.

November 22, 2021

3. A Park Born in Controversy / McKennan Park Zoo Marker, from the north

A Park Born in Controversy / McKennan Park Zoo Marker, from the south image. Click for full size.

November 22, 2021

4. A Park Born in Controversy / McKennan Park Zoo Marker, from the south

A Park Born in Controversy / McKennan Park Zoo Marker in McKennan Park image. Click for full size.

November 22, 2021

5. A Park Born in Controversy / McKennan Park Zoo Marker in McKennan Park

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2021. This page has been viewed 428 times since then and 124 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 23, 2021. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.