Hillcrest Park

Locals know Hillcrest is one of the better-kept parks in Brookings — it’s clean, it’s spacious, and somebody actually maintains it. There are multiple play areas broken out by age, so the little ones aren’t getting run over by the bigger kids, which parents around here genuinely appreciate. The picnic shelters with grills are reservable, making it a go-to for birthday parties and summer cookouts. Tall shade trees make the whole place bearable on hot South Dakota afternoons, and parking is never a headache. If you’re looking for a park that covers all the bases — tennis courts, open grass, playgrounds — this is the one to know in town.