(page 60) MAY 2015
HEALTH TREND BY JORDAN SMITH
When summer rolls around, park staff will put on a large array of programs that cover nature, astronomy, and historical topics.
GET SOME FRESH AIR
AT SOUTH DAKOTA’S NEWEST STATE PARK With the weather warming up, getting outside is on everyone’s mind. It can be hard to find a good place to exercise, but once you’ve found one, you’re halfway there. Good Earth State Park at Blood Run is South Dakota’s newest addition to the park system, and uniquely, is one that guests can enjoy for free. There are four miles of trail that border the Big Sioux River, traverse the open prairie, and wind through oak forest. Although the majority of the park’s trail users are hikers, groups like the Sioux Falls Area Running Club utilize the trail system as well. It is also a good place to get out and exercise with your pet, according to district park supervisor Eric VanderStouwe. However, he says, the park does not allow bike traffic. When summer rolls around, park staff will put on a large array of programs that cover nature, astronomy, and historical topics. The best way to find more information is to go to the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks website (www.gfp.sd.gov) and follow the links to Good Earth. There, guests can find trail maps and directions, as well as the master plan for the park. Program details can also be found on the Outdoor Campus website (www. gfp.sd.gov/outdoor-learning/outdoor-campus). VanderStouwe says health is the primary reason that people visit Good Earth State Park, and the fact that all summer activities are free is a big perk. Usually, access is covered by the fee of a summer parks pass, but as the park is not fully developed, a pass is not required.
The park is very primitive in nature today with a gravel lot, a small picnic area, a bathroom and a drinking fountain. It just opened in 2012, but plans to expand the four miles of trail are already underway, and by fall, VanderStouwe says they will start making headway on development of the park, including a welcome center, a park shop, and eventually expanding the trail system three more miles. Currently, just one mile of trail is grated and groomed. As the park is part of Blood Run National Historic Landmark, which straddles the state line, the long-term plan is to connect Good Earth to a bordering park in Iowa via a footbridge over the river. In line with other South Dakota state parks, the hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. VanderStouwe says the best thing for people to do when they visit the park is to plan for the outdoors – bring sunscreen, bug repellent, water, and if you have a dog, bring a leash and a way to clean up after it. The park is very popular yearround. Even in the cold wintery South Dakota months where no one wants to go outside, Good Earth has more traffic than other parks, including nearby Newton Hills State Park. This is largely due to its location just five miles southeast of Sioux Falls. “The park has an essence of place and a rich history. It is going to be a major destination,” VanderStouwe said. “I’m excited to see the park develop into a state park and a premiere destination for people in South Dakota and from all over the country.”