• State Park System Receives National Award
• Sand Volleyball Tournament at Oakwood Lakes

PIERRE, S.D. - Gather a group of friends and form a team to play in the first annual sand volleyball tournament at Oakwood Lakes State Park near Bruce, S.D. All ages are welcome to play in this exciting, new event.

“This is a great opportunity for kids and adults to get together, get active and have fun at the park,” said Lee Kratochvil, regional park supervisor. “We are hoping for a good turnout of teams and supporters.”

The tournament kicks off at 10 a.m. at the swim beach of Oakwood Lakes State Park. There is a limit of eight teams, so teams need to pre-register by Wednesday, June 27 by calling the park office at (605) 627-5441.

The tournament is free, but a daily or annual park entrance license is required. Oakwood Lakes State Park is located 7 miles north and 3 miles west of Volga, SD, off US Highway 14. Or, use Exit 140 on I-29.

For additional information on the sand volleyball tournament, contact the park office at (605) 627-5441. For additional information on South Dakota State Parks, visit www.SDpark.info or call (605) 773-3391.

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State Park System Receives National Award
PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s Division of Parks and Recreation is the first state park system in the nation to be honored by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with its Partner in Advancing Public Health Award.

The award is given by the CDC’s Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity to recognize substantial contributions by a state partner to a state’s nutrition and physical activity efforts. The division received the award in recognition of its long-standing partnership with the Department of Health’s Healthy South Dakota initiative. Healthy South Dakota aims to reduce obesity and related chronic disease through increased physical activity and improved nutrition.

“Parks and Recreation staff like to describe the state parks as largest outdoor wellness centers in South Dakota. That mindset makes it very easy for us to work together to promote physical activity and the state park system at the same time,” said Secretary of Health Doneen Hollingsworth. “We’re proud of that partnership and couldn’t be more pleased that CDC has chosen to honor the Division of Parks and Recreation with this award.”

Hollingsworth said the Division of Parks and Recreation has worked closely with Healthy South Dakota on a variety projects such as the popular Walk in the Park programs in state parks, the creation of disc golf courses, recreational equipment for checkout to park users, and a Healthy Hunter program tailored to South Dakota hunters.

Hollingsworth presented the award on behalf of CDC at the Game, Fish and Parks Commission meeting June 8 in Pierre.