Foundation plans to raise $11M for state parks
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — An arm of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is launching a new fundraising effort.
The South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation has set a goal of $11 million. The donations will be used for parks improvements in the regions where the money is raised.
Spring Creek Golf Course for sale
The five-year campaign is called Great Places Don't Just Happen.
The foundation board's president, Pat Wyss of Rapid City, and executive director Kristina Coby explained the plan to the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission on Thursday.
Jeff VanMeeteren is director for the department's Parks and Recreation Division. He said the 28 projects that have been identified are necessary but there have been other more-pressing needs each year.
"As you know, we have a five-year plan in our parks budget for all kinds of projects. These 28 are part of that five-year plan. We feel that these are 28 projects we'd really love to see constructed in our parks," VanMeeteren said.
Wyss also told the commission that the foundation-owned Spring Creek golf course south of Sioux Falls was recently put on the market for sale. He said the foundation had obtained the course as a site for a future campground that would be part of Good Earth State Park .
But neighbors objected to changing the land's use.
Wyss said the foundation has received calls from representatives of real estate agencies during the two weeks since the property was listed for sale. He said it's being marketed as a golf course.
The 125.94-acre site is listed for $3.2 million by NAI Sioux Falls , a commercial real estate company. The sale doesn't include the golf club operating business or the driving range.
Coby said the original donor of the property doesn't want to be directly involved in the negotiations but wants to be kept informed. "They have requested that money from the sale stay in the area," she said.
Commission chair Stephanie Rissler of Vermillion asked whether the foundation has told neighbors that the land is for sale.
Coby said the foundation hasn't directly communicated with them.
"In Sioux Falls it doesn't take long to hear news. So I'm sure they're aware," Coby said.
