South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks and the Fort Sisseton State Historic Park Commission launched a new master plan last month to improve facilities, protect cultural heritage and improve the visitor experience over the next decade.
A number of changes are planned through the new master plan. One of the biggest is the construction of a new visitor center on the south portion of the park. Currently, the visitor center is inside the North Barracks building. The new visitor center will have enhanced interpretative features to teach visitors about life in the 1860s, according to the master plan narrative.
One of the goals is to have a capital campaign to raise funds for the new visitor center and museum. Efforts will be made to create video tours and provide information for first-time and returning visitors, according to the plan narrative. Other projects planned for the next 10 years include new outdoor program space, additional parking and a new entry sign. The total project cost is estimated at $4.5 million to $5.9 million.
Public feedback to the proposed plan showed many use the park for activities other than learning about history. The plan notes many of the proposed projects are designed to enhance the visitor experience for events such as the Ft. Festival.
Details were provided for a number of short term investments over the next five years to improve the visitor and staff experience.
One of these investments include new summer staff housing, new ·park manager house, expansion of hiking trails on the western portion of the park, new parking lot on the southern portion, planting trees for a future campground, new themed playground, temporary stage and event lawn. The plan estimates these improvements will cost $4 million to $6.5 million.
Long term improvements over the next 10-plus years include a new boat launch, swim beach and a campground with trail connecting to the fort. The cost is estimated at $8.7 million to $12.9 million.
