Groups meeting throughout South Dakota are encouraged, especially during spring, summer and autumn, to consider area parks as possible settings for gatherings, such as picnics and receptions. Using a park for an off-site event is an affordable and picturesque option for groups with attendees who appreciate natural surroundings.
From hiking and bird watching to miniature golf and fishing, parks are also home to recreational activities that groups can include in a meeting itinerary.
There are plenty of recreational activities for meeting attendees beyond park settings, too, including panning for gold in Deadwood and taking a SculptureWalk in Sioux Falls.
Parks…
A backdrop unlike any other for group events in Sioux Falls, Falls Park offers attendees wide-open spaces surrounding a beautiful cascading waterfall, according to Krista Orsack, director of marketing for the Sioux Falls CVB.
“Falls Park is definitely the park to host an event,” she said, and added the park has a large permanent shelter that accommodates group activities when it’s not hosting the Farmer’s Market. “The CVB can secure white tents and any additional equipment/catering required to make it a special experience.”
Main Street Square, a park setting located in the center of downtown Rapid City, is a star gathering spot that groups can rent for receptions, banquets and other events.
According to Lisa Storms, director of convention sales for the Rapid City CVB, the square is positioned among a variety of restaurants and shops, and is within walking distance of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center and four hotels.
After a day of meetings, groups can “plan to spend a relaxing evening with dinner and nightlife that downtown and Main Street Square offers throughout the year,” Storms said, and added that during the summer months, groups can check out Summer Nights festivities featuring live music and food booths.
Canyon Lake Park, one of Rapid City’s oldest parks, offers another option for fun group gatherings, featuring 29 acres, four picnic pavilions, horseshoe and volleyball courts, a fishing bridge, bike path and paddleboat rentals.
New to Deadwood is Powerhouse Park, located near the George S. Mickelson Trail and also providing access to Whitewood Creek, a popular fishing/wading creek in the heart of town.
When the group has concluded its alfresco meeting or picnic lunch in the park, attendees can grab a bike from a local outfitter, including DeadWheels Bike Rentals, and shuttle to ride the Mickelson Trail.
According to Amanda Kille, marketing and sponsorship director for the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, the trail is appropriate for all skill levels and traverses 108 miles of the beautiful, mostly forested Black Hills.
“The trail is famous for its nearly 100 converted railroad bridges, tunnels and abundant wildlife,” she said. “Park space is free to use and available on a first-come, first-served basis, but availability shouldn’t be a problem mid-week, even during peak season from June through September.”
Groups can find a great setting for outings in Aberdeen at Wylie Park, which offers a number of picnic shelters and two enclosed gathering areas.
“Event attendees can take advantage of the park’s features, such as Roll Out bike and surrey rentals, Thunder Road go-carts, mini golf, Euro Bungy and Laser Maze,” said Laura Ptacek, convention sales and marketing coordinator for the Aberdeen Area CVB.
PageBreak
Attendees at Wylie Park can also enjoy simply relaxing beside Lake Minne-Eho or taking a ride on the Storybook Land train, which passes by zoo animals such as buffalo, deer and waterfowl.
Groups meeting in Pierre can choose to plan a picnic or an impromptu brainstorming session at Farm Island Recreation Area, a popular state park where they can swim, fish, hike and bird-watch, according to Lois Ries, director for the Pierre CVB.
Huron is home to Splash Central Waterpark, a great option for active groups. The park features water slides, pools and a lazy river for tubing, and also rents cabanas and accommodates group parties.
Spearfish is also home to several parks, including the popular and lovely Spearfish City Park. Here, groups will find rentable spaces in the Tretheway Park Pavilion for gatherings of up to 350 people.
According to Mistie Caldwell, executive director for the Spearfish Area COC, the pavilion is attached to the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, a free outdoor attraction featuring hiking trails, museums, birding opportunities and a venue called Ruby’s Garden that accommodates large group events.
…And Recreation
Fun recreational activities abound inside and outside South Dakota’s wonderful parks.
In Sioux Falls, taking to downtown’s streets to peruse some of the 55 pieces of art along the SculptureWalk is a great recreational activity.
“It’s perfect for all people, as it’s not too strenuous,” Sioux Falls CVB’s Orsack said. “It’s truly a one-of-a-kind outdoor art exhibit. An outing could also include shopping along the way and at the end, a refreshing local craft beer will top it off.”
In Rapid City, attendees can rent bikes and set out to cycle through Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park, which is one of the premier mountain biking parks in the region.
Elsewhere in Rapid City, according to the Rapid City CVB’s Storms, groups should take advantage of walking and biking trails, including those in the 27-acre Memorial Park.
“A lot of groups use Memorial Park for fundraising walks,” she added.
Groups seeking an intriguing recreational outing in Deadwood can make like the town’s settlers and pan for gold.
“The lure of gold is what brought thousands of people to Deadwood in 1876, and the history of that time is part of what keeps millions coming to town today,” said the Deadwood COC & Visitors Bureau’s Kille.
Broken Boot Gold Mine offers two tours, the “Eureka! Find Gold Here!” panning-only tour and the “Miners’ Morning” tour.
“You’ll be the first to tour the historic Broken Boot Gold Mine in the morning, complete with a miner’s breakfast featuring a world-famous pasty, which was sort of like the first hot pocket, but better,” Kille said. “After breakfast and a tour, head to Deadwood’s new Welcome Center, grab a gold pan and walk to Whitewood Creek. A local expert will help you pan while telling you the stories of the first miners to arrive in Deadwood.”
In Aberdeen, active outdoorsy groups will appreciate the city’s more than 20 miles of trails that accommodate bicyclists, walkers and joggers, and in Spearfish, it’s recommended that groups arrange a trip through Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.
“It’s a must-see with opportunities to explore Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls and the handicap-accessible Roughlock Falls State recreation area,” said the Spearfish Area COC’s Caldwell. “It’s a beautiful trip year-round.”
