The Green Hills Greenway is a linear piece of land running parallel to Career Avenue and adjacent to the drainage way from Benson Road to approximately 54th Street North. The master plan for this area consists of a 10-foot wide recreational trail that will connect the future SD public university campus to Thelin Park. A boardwalk connection to the trail from the Green Hills neighborhood is also proposed. A temporary street crossing at Benson Road will be provided until an underpass is constructed in conjunction with a future street reconstruction project. Benches are planned at regular intervals to provide a place to rest for trail users. The greenway itself will be left primarily in a natural state, with tree plantings scattered along the recreational trail.
A portion of Thelin Park is being designed as a neighborhood park, with the recreational trail continuing along the greenway. The park will be located on the higher, more level land on the southwest side of the tract. Proposed features include a basketball court, picnic shelter, drinking fountain, playground, and a parking lot. There will also be ample, flat open space for pick-up soccer games or teams to practice. The park is connected to the recreational trail to the south and to Benson Road from the north, creating a walking loop for the neighborhood. The trail will eventually continue south along the drainage way and connect with Legacy Park at 12th Street, providing a link to the main trail loop around Sioux Falls.
The City of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department encourages you to review the master plan and give us your comments or suggestions. The park and greenway development is scheduled for 2008 and 2009 in the current 5-year Capital Improvement Program. The recreational trail south of Thelin Park is not programmed and will be evaluated in the future. Thank you for your interest in the City of Sioux Falls Park system.
