Rotary Way - Inclusive Play Area

Downtown Rotary is a club filled with People of Action. Excited to keep with our tradition of helping enhance the quality of life in Sioux Falls, we have committed to raising $250,000 to bring the largest inclusive playground to our city.

Let's Build a Playground For All

Downtown Rotary is proud to support an inclusive playground planned for Jacobson Plaza. The goal is to provide a safe and accessible play experience for all. Spanning a sizeable 26,750 square feet, it is set to be the largest playground in the city. The playground’s specialized equipment will include wheelchair-accessible swings and sensory-rich play structures for children with sensory processing disorders. An intentionally wide, ramped entry point ensures access to equipment for those with mobility challenges. The playground surface will be made from material that is easily traversable with a wheelchair or walker. The playground aims to offer a space where children with and without disabilities can play side by side, fostering understanding and better friendships.

Make A Donation

If you would like to help support the club's efforts to bring this wonderful amenity to Downtown Sioux Falls you can write a check to the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation with “Downtown Rotary Charitable Fund” on the memo line. You may also make your contribution online through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation website.

Donate Online

What is Jacobson Plaza?

Jacobson Plaza at Falls Park is a major park improvement project along Phillips Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls. Situated at the upper falls adjacent to the Levitt Shell and Steel District Development, the Jacobson Plaza at Falls Park will provide a refrigerated ice skating ribbon, inclusive playground with a warming house, café, mechanical building, open-air shelter, and improved trail connections to downtown destinations and the greater bike trail network.

More Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about this initiative by browsing our FAQs. If you don't see your question listed, contact us.

The inclusive playground at Jacobson Plaza will stand out due to its size and design focus on accessibility. It is planned to cover an area of 26,750 square feet, making it the largest playground experience in Sioux Falls. While it's designed to be accessible for individuals with disabilities, it is intended for use and enjoyment by everyone, emphasizing inclusivity.

The playground will include specialized equipment including wheelchair-accessible swings, sensory-rich play structures for children with sensory processing disorders, and wide, ramped access to equipment for those with mobility challenges. The playground surface will be made from material that is easily traversable with a wheelchair or walker. The playground aims to offer a space where children with and without disabilities can play side by side, fostering understanding and better friendships.

The construction of Jacobson Plaza is anticipated to start in winter 2023. The project is expected to be completed in time for winter use in early 2025. The timeline also aligns with the completion of nearby projects, including the River Greenway improvements and the Steel District Development. Downtown Rotary expects to wrap up its fundraising by the end of 2023.

Jacobson Plaza is a major public benefit project happening in downtown Sioux Falls and it makes sense for Downtown Rotary to be a major part of it. It also aligns with past projects funded by Downtown Rotary, including Rotary Park and Miracle Field at Terrace Park. Additionally, as a club, we have not gotten behind a local initiative as a club in a big way since the Centennial Fund which was wrapped up more than five years ago.

This project also provides all members of the club with a tangible way to get more involved with Downtown Rotary. Finally, our club consists of some of the most capable business leaders in Sioux Falls. We have the capacity to do more good for our community and this is a positive way to do it together as a club.

Our goal as a club is to raise $250,000 toward the contribution of the inclusive playground at Jacobson Plaza. Our hope is that each member will consider a contribution of $1,000 or more toward the project.

While prominent local business owners have already stepped up to provide substantial funding for the project, Downtown Rotary’s funds will be used to help cover the cost of the inclusive playground which does not have another sponsor associated with that aspect of the project. Our club’s contribution will provide the final funding needed to get this project over the finish line.

Club members who contribute any amount will have their name featured on a recognition board displayed at all Downtown Rotary club meetings for the next year. Club members who donate $1,000 or more to this project will be recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. Existing Paul Harris Fellows that donate $1,000 or more will be given a “+1” to their Paul Harris fellowship. Recognition from corporate gifts will be provided to the club member most closely associated with the gift

The City of Sioux Falls will recognize Downtown Rotary with signage at the inclusive playground. The path around the inclusive playground will be labeled “Rotary Way” and have an in-lay into the concrete recognizing the club’s contribution to the project.

The inclusive play campaign is being chaired by Cindy Peterson and Matt Paulson. Additionally, there is a leadership team that consists of Joel Dykstra, Melissa Fossell, James Gaspar, Jeff Griffin, Nancy Halverson, Alex Jensen, Tony Nour, Erik Nyberg, Heather Powell, Lisa Prostrollo, Jim Schmidt, Keith Severson, Karlie Solum, and Bob Thimjon.

Downtown Rotary has set up a fund at the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation to accept gifts on behalf of this project. The Community Foundation will direct gifts to the city for this project.

You may contribute to this project by writing a check to the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation with “Downtown Rotary Charitable Fund” on the memo line. You may bring your contribution to a club meeting or send your contribution directly to the Community Foundation. You may also make your contribution online at www.SFACF.org/Rotary.