Sioux Falls McKennan Park Wading Pool Gets Modern Makeover

The city of Sioux Falls is updating several of its city pools, which have been in service for several decades.

While much of the recent buzz has focused on the future of Frank Olson and Kuehn Park pools, there’s another project quietly making a big splash, right in the heart of one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods.

The McKennan Park wading pool, a longtime staple for Sioux Falls residents, is getting a major makeover just in time for the 2026 swimming season. After over 50 years of service and countless sunscreen applications, the old wading pool is being transformed into a modern, family-friendly water play area.

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According to the folks at Pigeon 605, the revamped McKennan Park wading pool is expected to open in early June, aligning with the typical start of pool season in Sioux Falls. And this isn’t just a simple refresh, it’s a full upgrade. The new space will feature a two-person slide, interactive water play elements, and plenty of shaded seating areas for parents who prefer to enjoy summer from a safe distance, preferably under an umbrella.

The improvements don’t stop at the water’s edge. Visitors will also notice a completely updated bathhouse, now equipped with five new restrooms, a concessions area, and an indoor gathering space.

Even with all the modern upgrades, the city has made a point to preserve the historic charm of the McKennan Park neighborhood, ensuring the new facility will still feel and look like it belongs in the McKennan Park area.

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The project comes with a price tag of around $4.4 million, with generous support from Pierce and Barbara McDowell through the Sioux Falls Parks Foundation.

One more thing parents will love: admission to the McKennan Park wading pool will be completely free. In a summer that promises to be filled with rising costs, at least there'll be one new upgrade everyone can afford.