Page 2 - 2023-annual-report-final

2023 Trail of Governors Annual Report

31 Statues

All former governors of South Dakota have a bronze statue created
in their likeness and honor along the trail. The next phase of the trail
will shift to future governors as they leave the governor’s office. The
first of those is expected to be Governor Kristi Noem whose second

term ends in 2027. Plans are already underway for her statue.

Trail Visitation

Pierre and Fort Pierre business owners are seeing area visitation

continue to uptick and a key attraction is the Trail of Governors.
Visitors often comment on the beauty of the trail along with South
Dakota’s Capitol building and grounds, and downtown Pierre.
Visitors can be seen walking or running along the trail throughout

all four seasons. Selfies regularly appear on social media, featuring
folks posing with a governor statue. A trail map and brief governor
biographies can be found in Trail of Governors brochures in key
visitor locations around the area, including at the Capitol, the Pierre

Visitor Center and the Pierre Regional Airport.

Trail of Governors Foundation board members pictured are Leroy Foster,
Tina Van Camp, Chuck Schroyer, Patricia Van Gerpen, Rick Jensen, and Leah

Haugan, one of the foundation’s advisors. Board members not pictured

are Tony Venhuizen and Patricia Miller.

A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors.