Your week, simplified: July 17, 2024

Happy Wednesday! Megan here.

Weather check: Sunny

This week, I've got a look at a significant expansion coming to the Outdoor Campus. Plus, you'll learn more about the namesake of the new downtown skate park, find the latest city news and catch our weekly round-up of events.

And now, news:

COMMUNITY

Why Sioux Falls named its new skate park after a teacher

Simplified: The city formally opened the Barb Iverson Skate Plaza late last week. The park's namesake, though, wasn't a skater at all, but rather a middle school teacher who became a mentor, advocate and even a maternal figure to generations of Sioux Falls skaters.

Why it matters

• The 25,000-square-foot skate park is one of the largest in the country and certainly the largest in the region. It cost $2.5 million, including an $800,000 contribution from the city.
• The park itself was years in the making, and former students of Iverson pointed to a direct line from her advocacy for skaters in the '80s and '90s to this state-of-the-art skate plaza now open today.
• It was Iverson's former students who initially started the conversation about bringing a large-scale skate park to town, said Alix Johnson, secretary of skate for Let's Skate.

"A lot of us met Barb at a formative time," former student Nicholas Ward said. "She unconditionally loved and supported who we were ... all our faults, and all our quirks, and she loved us."

Tell me more about Barb Iverson

SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS

Love animals? Don't miss these upcoming events

This is a paid piece from the Great Plains Zoo.

Simplified: The Great Plains Zoo and its sister campus at the Butterfly House and Aquarium have an event-packed few weeks for everyone trying to soak up the last bit of summer fun before back-to-school season. Here's a look at what's happening.

Why it matters

• These events are a way to give people an opportunity to both see and learn more about the animals at the zoo and butterfly house.
• Both campuses have been under the same leadership for about a year and a half now, and that merger – creating the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium – means animal experts are able to work between both campuses to share their care and conservation expertise.
• This year, a couple of the annual events at the butterfly house have been reworked to place more emphasis on connecting activities with animals.

"We really want people to leave with a deeper appreciation of the animals they’re seeing and have an opporutnity to ask questions about those animals," PR and Marketing Director Denise DePaolo said.

Tell me more about upcoming events

TL;DR

Super Simplified Stories

• Councilor aims to get south-side pool by 2029. Councilor David Barranco on Tuesday announced plans to form a committee to look at possible locations for a new south-side pool. The main goal is to find a spot where a pool could be completed by 2029, Barranco said. The plans are still in the early stages, but he hopes to have a location decided by the end of the year.
• School employee fired over social media post. Sioux Falls School District employee Cassie Martin was fired this week after a social media post responding to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Martin's post "does not align with the school district's values and was not condoned in any way," according to a statement from the district.
• Public likely to ultimately decide on Riverline District. City Councilors Rich Merkouris, David Barranco and Miranda Basye on Tuesday told media that they expect future decisions on whether to build a downtown convention center to ultimately go to a public vote. The center would be located on a plot of land being called the "Riverline District" near the 10th Street viaduct. More background here.
• Visit a living library. The city is hosting a Living Library event to recognize the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Instead of checking out books, you can chat with a variety of real people with different disabilities. It's a safe space for conversation and questions, and the goal is to break down stereotypes and build empathy through human connection. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25 at Sertoma Park. No registration is required.

COMMUNITY

What to know about the Outdoor Campus expansion

Simplified: The Outdoor Campus is adding a $7.1 million expansion to its Sioux Falls location to keep up with increasing demand for its free classes and programs aimed at connecting people with outdoor activities. Here's a look at what's to come.

Why it matters

• The Outdoor Campus, run by the state Game, Fish and Parks Department, has been offering free programming for 26 years to help people – primarily kids – learn skills to help them appreciate the outdoors, including fishing, hunting and more.
• The expansion will come in two phases, the first of which broke ground late last week. That'll include a 60-yard outdoor archery range with 10 lanes, ADA accessibility and the ability to shoot the same types of bows used in actual hunting.
• The second phase, which doesn't yet have a set time frame, will include expanding the indoor classroom space, adding an indoor archery range and adding outdoor learning space for classes on processing and cooking hunted game.

"I often hear people say the Outdoor Campus is a hidden gem," Director David Parker said. "My hope is that we lose the 'hidden' piece. I want people to know what we do and get excited about the classes."

Tell me more about what's coming

EVENTS

Stuff to do: July 17-23

• Eat ice cream. It's National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, and a number of local businesses are celebrating with deals. Get half-off rolled ice creams at Dakota Snow/Polar Bites, $2 dips at Stensland, and BOGO scoops at Parlour.
• Shop 'til you drop. Remember last week when everyone was sharing the story about how important it is to support local businesses? This weekend is the perfect opportunity to put your money where your mouth is. It's "Crazy Days" with deals downtown, at Lake Lorraine, and at The Bridges. Find tons of deals at tons of local businesses.
• Do some yoga. Catch the Sioux River Yoga Festival with a full day of events on Saturday and additional community classes on Sunday. Find tons of local vendors and connect with nature out at the Good Earth Farm. Details and tickets here.
• See some art and music. The Four Winds Music and Art Festival takes place Friday and Saturday with musicians at Icon Lounge, DaDa Gastropub, Full Circle Book Co-Op and Club David. Catch the full lineup and get tickets here.
• Splash around. The city is hosting another hydrant block party this week – this time at Prairie Meadows Park in south-central Sioux Falls. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, you can play in the water, check out the Bookmobile and enjoy other activities from different city departments. Details here.
• Folk around. Folk artists will compete for prizes and a chance to play at the Sioux River Folk Festival. It's all part of the "Folk On!" event at Calico Skies Vineyard and Winery starting Saturday at 11 a.m. There will be food, beverages and music all day long. More details here.

THIS AND THAT

What I'm falling for this week:

• River merch
• Les
• Copp salad

ICYMI

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Thank you to Sioux Falls Simplified sponsors, including Dakota Adventure Supply, the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Panther Premier Print Solutions, Barre3 Sioux Falls, the Great Plains Zoo, and the Sioux Metro Growth Alliance. When you support them, you're also supporting Sioux Falls Simplified.