Family Park

Family Park. . This park was made possible by a generous donation of 91 acres of property from the Soukup family to the City of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department in 2009. This site was formerly a gravel mining operation used to supply Soukup Construction aggregate material for use in numerous construction projects throughout the Sioux Falls region. It was always the Soukup Family's intention to donate this land to the City as a future city park., The name Family Park is important for two reasons. It was chosen because of the significance of family to the Soukups and because they wanted it to be a place where families could go to enjoy outdoor recreational experiences like fishing, which has always been an integral part of our South Dakota heritage. The western half of the lake is officially named "grandpa's Pond" after Grandpa Carl Soukup, who was instrumental in building the pond. The eastern portion of the lake is named "Cousin's Pond" for the Soukup grandchildren who are all referred to as "the cousins" , Matt, Meagan, Alan, Alyson, Ryan, Molly, Lindsay, Ashley, Lizzie, Taya, and Kia., The City of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department and South Dakota Game Fish and Parks entered into a cooperative agreement to develop, operate and maintain the park. As a result, initial improvements were funded by Game Fish and Parks in 2009 along with a stocking of 7,500 rainbow trout., On May 21, 2010 the park was officially dedicated to the people of Sioux Falls by the Soukup Family., On behalf of the people of Sioux Falls and the surrounding region our sincerest gratitude is extended to the Soukup family for their generous donation.