Dakota Nature Park is located on the northwest corner of 22nd Avenue and 32nd Street South. This 135 acre park provides visitors with an opportunity to observe nature. The site once served as the City of Brookings Landfill. However, the landfill has since been capped and has fulfilled the environmental monitoring requirements of the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Mature trees and vegetation provide a safe haven to birds and animals native to this area. A series of small connecting ponds adds to the scenic beauty. Paved and primitive recreation trails loop throughout the park. A metal bridge provides access across the ponds.
Enjoying a wide variety of plant life, bird watching, and catch-and-release fishing are favorite activities at this park.
A specialized dog park is planned near the entrance off of 22nd Avenue. The Outdoor Learning Center, a precision sports shooting center, focusing on BB and pellet gun shooting and archery, has been designated five acres for a future building site. The City is contracting with a landscape architecture firm for development of a Master Plan for the nature park. The Nature Park Master Plan, upon completion, will be incorporated into the Park Master Plan by reference.
