Brookings Park and Recreation

06/16/2026

Move and Groove with the HAC Staff is starting this Thursday, the 18th, at 5:30! We will see you there! 😎

06/16/2026

📣 Happening now at Pioneer Park! Grab your friends and come join us for the Backroads Tour — a high-energy night of rebellious joy rooted in celebration, creativity and community. Just show up ready to have a good time! 🎶🪕

Featuring Brookings native and singer-songwriter Eric Holm!
📍 Pioneer Park, near intersection of Sixth Street and First Avenue, Brookings, SD
📅 Today - Tuesday, June 16
😋 5:30 PM – Food trucks open
🪕 6:30 PM – Show starts (ends at 9:00 PM)

The event is sponsored by the Brookings Multicultural Center.

The Backroads.us Tour is a national concert series produced by Rural Progress, celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Each night on the Backroads Tour pairs live performance with local storytelling and open dialogue.

06/16/2026

Staff will be spraying the turf grass at McClemens Park and the exterior of the Bark Park this morning. They will also be spraying the single track at Dakota Nature Park to prevent it from becoming overgrown.

06/15/2026

UPDATE: we will reopen at 5:45.

The Hillcrest Aquatic Center will be closing for 30 minutes due to lightning. We will reassess at 5:45.

06/15/2026

As The Wall That Heals departed Brookings on Sunday evening, it left behind a community deeply touched by a week of remembrance, reflection and gratitude. 🫶

From the opening ceremony on Thursday morning to the final, moving performance of “Taps” on Sunday, nearly 10,000 visitors came to Fishback Soccer Complex to honor the Vietnam veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. 🇺🇸

We are grateful to everyone who visited, shared their stories, paid their respects, and helped make this experience so meaningful.

A very special thank-you goes to Pam and Lance Intermill of Lance Trucking, Inc. in Volga for transporting The Wall That Heals 1,559 miles from the South Dakota prairie, through the mountains, to its next destination in Lacey, Washington. This generous act carries special meaning, as Pam is the daughter of Vietnam Army veteran Emil Misar. 🛣️👏

Lance Trucking, the official carrier of South Dakota State Football, joins drivers across the country who donate their time, fuel, equipment, and expertise to ensure The Wall continues its journey of healing and remembrance. South Dakota State University 🫶

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the many volunteers who gave their time and energy to carefully disassemble and prepare The Wall That Heals for its journey to the next community. Your dedication made this important mission possible. 💪🏼

A heartfelt thank-you to Dr. David Reynolds for performing the final “Taps.” A former member of the U.S. Army Band (Pershing’s Own) in Washington, D.C., and current director of the School of Performing Arts at South Dakota State University, Dr. Reynolds provided a powerful and fitting tribute that will remain in our memories. 🎺

While The Wall has moved on, the stories, sacrifices, and memories it represents remain with us. Thank you to all who visited to honor our Vietnam veterans and help keep their legacy alive.

For The Wall's full 2026 schedule and more information, visit www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals

06/15/2026

News Release: As an official Bee City USA affiliate, Brookings is committed to supporting pollinators and promoting sustainable practices throughout the community.

To celebrate, the Brookings Sustainability Council and Brookings Regional Growth Alliance are hosting Pollinator Day at the Brookings Farmers Market on Saturday, June 20, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The Farmers Market takes place in the 300 block of Sixth Avenue in downtown Brookings.

With a focus on protecting and supporting pollinators, the event will feature fun and educational activities for all ages. Visitors can participate in the Pollinator Passport Adventure, learn from local experts, enjoy native planting demonstrations, pose at the photo booth, explore how pollinators support Farmers Market vendors, and take home pollinator-themed goodies.

Read full news release at https://www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/5597

06/15/2026

Staff will be spraying the turf grass at Larson Park today.

Signs will be posted. Please stay off the grass until it is dry.

06/14/2026

🇺🇸 Today, Flag Day, is the final day to visit The Wall That Heals in Brookings.

🕜 1:30 PM Closing Ceremony
🎺 1:58 PM Final “Taps” performance
🕑 2:00 PM The Wall closes and disassembly begins (Volunteers are welcome to help.)
📍 Fishback Soccer Complex, 1100 20th St. S., Brookings, South Dakota

🪖 Did you know that 65.6 percent of all service members on The Wall served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War? We salute the United States Army on its 251st birthday today. 🫡

The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

06/14/2026

ICYMI: Watch this KELOLAND News story about The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Today - Flag Day - is your last chance to experience The Wall while it is in Brookings.

The exhibit closes today at 2:00 p.m. Final “Taps” will be played at 1:58 p.m.

📍Fishback Soccer Complex, 1100 20th St. S., Brookings, South Dakota

“The Wall That Heals is a three quarter replica of the Vietnam Wall in DC. And it travels around the United States,” Parks, Recreation & Forestry Director, Kristin Zimmerman said.

06/13/2026

Vietnam Veteran, Jeff West shares how The Wall is a healing experience.

Whether you visit at sunrise, sunset, under the sun or under the stars, this memorial offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans.

The Wall That Heals is open 24 hours a day and will close at 2 PM on Sunday, June 14.
We invite you to visit, reflect, remember, and honor those who served.
📍Fishback Soccer Complex, 1100 20th St S