Like puzzle, potential state park builds piece by piece

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BROOKINGS — A complex series of land acquisitions in Lincoln County gets under way this month so part of the vast Blood Run National Historic Landmark, just southeast of Sioux Falls, can be folded into South Dakota’s empire of state parks next year and so the site doesn’t remain at risk of permanent loss from suburban development.

The South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation board is scheduled to meet April 23 to discuss and approve sale of a 60-acre parcel to the state Game, Fish and Parks Department.

The state Game, Fish and Parks Commission voted Wednesday to approve its side of the deal, which calls for GF&P to pay the foundation $574,500 for the land.

The foundation in turn plans to use those proceeds, as well as private donations, to complete purchase of a 320-acre farm and woods area that has been owned there by Buzz Nelson.

The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund last year purchased 250 acres of the Nelson property for about $3.5 million, as a holding action, because time was running short to fulfill GF&P’s option on the land.

GF&P’s plan calls next for the foundation to buy the Nelson property from the federal conservation fund and donate the property to the Game, Fish and Parks Department.

GF&P bought about 10 acres of the Nelson property last year.

Doug Hofer, director for the state Division of Parks and Recreation, said Thursday there will be a request filed with the Legislature in 2013 to designate that area of Blood Run on the South Dakota side of the Big Sioux River as a state park.

Blood Run received national historic status about 40 years ago.

It is believed to have been a gathering and living place for people as long ago as 6500 B.C. and was an important place for the Oneota tribal culture in the 1600s.

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