McKennan Park
located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
This wonderful park can trace it's lineage quite far back in the history of Sioux Falls. As early as the 1890s, town residents were already talking about creating a tree filled park and gathering area. Mrs. Helen McKennan and her brother Artemus Gale were instrumental in planting trees in the area and in 1906 Mrs McKennan decided to give her house and 20 acre estate to the city for use as a park. E.A. Sherman, the unofficial park commissioner spearheaded the planting of elm, walnut and other trees and flowers in those early years. He also added a bandshell, tennis courts, greenhouses (later torn down) and a small lake.
Today the park has a variety of formal gardens, several war memorial trees, rock gardens, a rose garden area, sunken garden and cactus garden. One of the famous attractions in the park is the Pillars of the Nation which were two entrance posts originally built of decorative stones, fossils, and Indian artifacts in the 30s. Later two other posts were added that had each state's initials carved into the stone, as well as two stone maps of South Dakota.
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Address:
26th Street and Second Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Hours & Times:
Daily: 5am-10pm
Admission:
Free
Phone:
(605) 367-8222
Visit the Official Website
26th Street and Second Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Hours & Times:
Daily: 5am-10pm
Admission:
Free
Phone:
(605) 367-8222
Visit the Official Website
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