Recreation River and be drawn onto the walking bridge that spans into Nebraska or peer down onto the large grassy area, locally known as The Lawn. The Lawn is often home to events like music performances, family fun days, and pick-up games of frisbee. Todd Larson, Director of the City of Yankton Parks and Recreation Department, is proud of what this area offers to residents and visitors. “The fire feature addition to Walnut Street is great for creating social interaction between pedestrians and others who are in the Meridian District and want to take a pause from their busy lives. We know people are attracted to running water and fire. So, with the fire feature, water fountain and splash pad being added into the corridor, an atmosphere is created where people can gather, socialize, and take time to just sit and relax with beautiful views of the iconic Meridian Bridge.” This area of Yankton offers all of the criteria of a town square. It has the gathering space, the iconic location known by locals, shops surrounding the area, events, invitations to sit and converse, and not more than 2 blocks away, the local farmer’s market on Saturday mornings during the summer and early fall. The scene invites visitors and locals alike to stay a while and enjoy each other’s company. In a society where most of our daily communication happens through a screen and our entertainment happens at the touch of a button... ...the “town square” at Meridian Bridge Plaza provides an alternative, a place for true and meaningful human connection, and a place to see beauty like no other. The Mead Cultural Education Center is a historic building built in 1909 on the campus of the S.D. Human Services Center that is being restored to its original glory. The Mead Building houses the Dakota Territorial Museum, The Children’s Transportation Museum, a Gift Shop, rentable event halls, an original, stunningly large marble staircase, and is moving forward with several plans to house more exhibits as the restoration process progresses. View the “Journeying Forward: Connecting Cultures Exhibit which tells the story of the Native Americans that prehistorically lived in our area and the arrival of Lewis & Clark and their subsequent journey. The Childrens’ Transportation Museum offers children of all ages the opportunity to experience the many ways people have journeyed to Yankton by riverboat, wagon, train, automobile and plane. As of April of 2020, the new exhibit “Yankton State Hospital: Minds, Methods, and Medicines” will share the history of the S.D. Human Services Center, the history of the buildings on the campus, the history of restoration of the Mead Building, and patient and staff life on campus throughout time. Mead Cultural Education Center 82 Mickelson Dr., Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 665-3898 • meadbuilding.org We’re More Than A Grocery Store! •Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits •Food Court •Starbucks •HealthMarket •Fuel Center •Red Box Video Rental •Full Service Pharmacy •Post Office •Floral Shop •Fishing Licenses 2100 Broadway, Yankton 605-665-3412 HyVee Yankton www.VisitYanktonSD.com | Yankton Visitors Guide | 27