The Broin family will donate more than 20 acres to expand Great Bear Recreation Park in Sioux Falls, the City of Sioux Falls said in an announcement published Oct. 6. The land is south of the park’s current footprint and is intended primarily for natural conservation, according to the city.
The city said there are no immediate plans for the donated acreage. Future recreational or conservation uses will be considered through park master planning, the announcement said. The gifting agreement bars motorized traffic on the land except for maintenance, according to the city.
The donation supports priorities identified in the Parks and Recreation System Master Plan, which the city said the Sioux Falls City Council approved in late 2025: walking and hiking trails, natural areas and wildlife habitats. The city said the expansion will increase conservation opportunities and protect a natural landscape.
The city said Great Bear covers more than 220 acres and has served as a conservation and recreation destination for 60 years. Its winter activities include downhill ski trails, a terrain park, the Kirby Family Tubing Park, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; in summer, its trails are open for hiking and mountain biking, according to the announcement. Great Bear receives more than 200,000 visitors annually, the city said.
The Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Board will consider the donation first, and the City Council will consider it if the board approves, according to the city. More information about Parks and Recreation is available at siouxfalls.gov/parks, the announcement said.