T. Denny Sanford, Lloyds gift millions to expedite downtown ice-ribbon project, add more amenities

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Craig Lloyd’s latest philanthropic activities mean Sioux Falls will add a dog park to the planned Jacobson Plaza project near Falls Park and Levitt at the Falls. (Joe Sneve / The Dakota Scout)

Financial gifts from two of the wealthiest philanthropists in South Dakota will help Sioux Falls get a highly-anticipated parks project across the finish line sooner than expected.

T. Denny Sanford and the Craig Lloyd family have committed a combined $2.5 million to the planned Jacobson Plaza project in downtown Sioux Falls near Falls Park. The gifts will allow the city and Garry and Dianne Jacobson, who pledged $2 million for a refrigerated ice ribbon in 2021, to expedite the project and add more amenities city officials say will make the future park active year round. Those features include a splash pad, a dog park and an ADA-accessible playground.

The Jacobsons have also upped their contribution to $5 million.

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A gathering hall with seating and food and a warming house are also part of the plans.