Sioux Falls Celebrates Renovated McKennan Park Wading Pool

When the swimming season officially opens at Sioux Falls' public pools this week, visitors will get their first glimpse at an old favorite with a new look.

Following a year of construction, the new McKennan Park wading pool and bathhouse will open Friday (May 29).

The McKennan Park project started in spring 2025 and included the complete reconstruction of the park’s wading pool and bathhouse to improve accessibility, safety, and family amenities. The redesigned wading pool includes a zero-depth entry with a 2-foot maximum depth, a two-person slide, and multiple spray features. The renovated bathhouse has additional restrooms, an indoor gathering space, and a concessions area.

As it always has been, entry to the wading pool is free to the public.

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A financial contribution from Pierce and Barbara McDowell helped fund a portion of the $4.4 million project total. Their donation supported an expanded concessions area, architectural elements to the bath and warming house, and operations building, shade structures, additional spray features in the pool, and a variety of park amenities such as planters, benches, and a sculpture recognizing Helen McKennan, who donated the parkland in 1906.

The McDowells’ donation was gifted through the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, a local nonprofit that, in partnership with donors, seeks to enrich the quality of life in the area through philanthropy.

Originally built in 1971, the McKennan Park wading pool served families as a free amenity for more than 50 years. The wading pool and bath house replacements were identified by the city as part of its quality-of-life aquatics bond that aimed to replace aging aquatic facilities at McKennan Park, Kuehn Park, and Frank Olson Park.

Open swim hours at all city pools, including the McKennan Park wading pool, run daily from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

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