Park Madness 2026

THE CHAMPION HAS BEEN CROWNED: GREAT BEAR PARK TAKES THE TITLE!

The brackets are busted, the votes are in, and we have a new king of the "green" court! After a grueling tournament of 64 contenders, Great Bear Park has officially survived the madness to become your 2026 Park Madness Champion!

It was a legendary run through the bracket. From the early rounds of 64 to the high-stakes Final Four, Great Bear proved it has the "home-field advantage" that Sioux Falls residents love. Whether it was the winter sports appeal or the scenic summer trails, this park stayed "clutch" when the voting got tough.

The Road to the Trophy

Great Bear Park didn't have an easy path to the top. It had to battle through a field of heavy hitters, including:

• The Defending Champ: Topping the leaderboard meant moving past last year's winner, Tuthill Park, which was looking for a back-to-back dynasty.
• The Fan Favorites: It faced off against community staples known for their playgrounds and picnic spots.
• The Wildcard: It even outlasted the first-ever appearance of the Recreation Trail in the tournament!

Championship Honors

As our 2026 winner, Great Bear Park will receive:

• The Official Championship Sign: Look for the new gold-standard signage proudly displayed at the park entrance soon!
• Hometown Bragging Rights: For the next year, Great Bear stands alone as the city's favorite outdoor space.

Congratulations to Great Bear Park—the 2026 Park Madness National Champion!

Bracket Final

(Open a PDF of the bracket final in a new window)