SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A new butterfly garden at the Great Plains Zoo (GPZ) will be an “oasis” said Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium President and Chief Executive Officer Becky Dewitz.
“We want to build a place for serenity, if someone just wants to sit…,” Dewitz said.
But there will be dozens of butterflies that will also help create a “magical” environment at the zoo.
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The GPZ and overall zoo organization announced Thursday evening the butterfly garden phase of at least two additions to the zoo will soon start construction. The ground-breaking is set for this fall with completion expected early in 2027.
A project for a new aquarium at the zoo is several years away, Dewitz said.
The overall fund-raising goal is $25 million of which $13 million has already been raised, Dewitz said. The next phase of the campaign to raise $12 million was announced on Thursday.
The new butterfly garden will replace the butterfly house at Sertoma Park. The Butterfly House and Garden merged with the GPZ and its umbrella organization in 2022.
“We will maintain operations and experiences at the venue up to the point we have the new butterfly space,” Dewitz said.
A drawing of the interior of the planned butterfly garden. Design from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.
Construction includes not only the new facility but also what’s inside.
“I’m delighted with the process of design,” Dewitz said.
The garden will feature a tree of life made from re-bar. Vines will grow on that metal tree. Dewitz said it’s likely possible that travelers on Kiwanis Avenue will be able to see the tree, even at night.
One of the recent changes was to switch from a garden gazebo to a garden lantern. The lantern will be set amongst the plants. It will also have a chandelier.
“I do see the lantern as a spot for weddings. I see people wanting to get married there,” Dewitz said.
While garden will have a definite tropical feel, “It’s going to be very uniquely ourselves,” Dewitz said.
The garden will include regional quartzite in a waterfall as a nod to the area and to Sioux Falls.
“We aren’t making the experience much larger,” Dewitz said. Although the square footage will not increase significantly, the design will accommodate groups of people walking through as well as those who want to linger longer, she said.
Aquarium in the future
The plan is to add an aquarium at the zoo with the earliest opening in late 2028 or early 2029, Dewitz said.
“We still have some significant funds we need to raise,” Dewitz said. How soon the aquarium is built depends in large part on the support of the community, she said.
Drawing of the exterior of the planned new butterfly garden and aquarium at the Great Plains Zoo. Design from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.
The organization is working with other Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facilities as it plans for the aquarium. A designer has been specifically hired for the aquarium, Dewitz said.
The new butterfly garden will be just off the main building near the flamingos. A planned aquarium will be nearby and visitors can enter that from the plaza or from the main building, Dewitz said.
