Mayor Erickson Appointed New Parks Director
The Sioux Falls mayor has named Brett Kollars as the city's new permanent Parks and Recreation director.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People
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Mayor Christine Erickson has appointed Brett Kollars to lead the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department. The appointment follows the retirement of former director Don Kearney in April 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment fills a critical leadership vacancy for a department responsible for managing thousands of acres of public space. The City Council is expected to formally review the selection to ensure organizational stability for the agency.
The department oversees 82 parks encompassing 3,474 acres of land, 41 miles of recreational trails, and 10 aquatic facilities. These assets are managed by a workforce of 91 full-time and 400 seasonal employees.
The players
Christine Erickson
She is the Mayor of Sioux Falls who is responsible for executive appointments within the city government.
Brett Kollars
He is the appointee for Parks and Recreation director who previously served as the department's interim leader and assistant director.
Don Kearney
He is the former Parks and Recreation director whose retirement in April 2026 created the current leadership vacancy.
The details
Kollars, who joined the city in 2022, previously served as the department's assistant director and interim director. A committee consisting of city staff, park board representatives, and partner organizations assisted in the selection process for the permanent role.
Timeline
Don Kearney retired as director in April 2026.
Brett Kollars joined the city government as assistant director in 2022.
The City Council is scheduled to review the appointment on October 20, 2026.
Market Landscape
This transition maintains continuity within the municipal department by elevating an internal candidate who has already navigated the agency's operational demands. The move reflects a broader trend of local governments prioritizing internal stability and institutional knowledge during leadership successions.
Residents can expect continued management of city recreational facilities and parks under the proposed leadership transition. There are no immediate changes to park hours, maintenance schedules, or programming planned as a result of this appointment.
The takeaway
Appointing an internal candidate like Kollars often reduces the transition period for municipal departments during leadership changes. Residents interested in city operations can monitor upcoming council meetings to stay informed on confirmation outcomes.
What happens next
The Sioux Falls City Council is scheduled to conduct a formal review of the mayoral appointment at its meeting on October 20, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local government leadership and organizational changes, visit Sioux Falls People.
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