Falls Park Development

      The Falls of the Big Sioux River are the showpiece of the
      city of Sioux Falls, SD. The City had a vision for the revival
      of this historic and dramatic park, designed to attract local
      families and regional tourists and to celebrate the city's namesake.

      
The Workshop master planned and guided implementation of the
      park's $6 million redevelopment. The goals of the master plan
      were to (1) determine the impact of past industrial uses, (2)
      evaluate the park's natural and historic resources, (3) design
      a pedestrian oriented plan, recreating the original prairie setting
      of the Falls, and (4) determine how to interpret the park's resources
      to visitors.

      
Implementation of the plan returned the falls to its original
      prairie character, removed roads and parking areas from alongside
      the falls and historic structures, and provided a universally
      accessible walkway system. Now all visitors are able to enjoy
      the park and safely experience the spray of the falls.

      
The project was implemented with a sustainable design philosophy,
      where all hardscape elements, including staircases, retaining
      walls, and viewing points are pinned to the bedrock, rather than
      blasted into the bedrock, to preserve the site. Recycled street
      pavers, originally mined from the park area, were used throughout
      the park to blend into the landscape. A "timeless"
      design theme was developed for all hardscape elements so visitors
      would feel that this park has "always been here".

      
The Workshop recently completed a master plan for the expansion
      of Falls Park.

      Award Winning Project:

      1999 SD Parks & Recreation Association Citation Award

      1999 ASLA Great Plains Chapter Merit Award

      

Main Falls Overlook

Lower Falls Overlook


Copyright a2000 Big Muddy Workshop, Inc. All rights reserved.