BISMARCK, N.D. — In a significant move, a state park in North Dakota has undergone a name change from a Civil War general to a title reflecting a different heritage. Sully Creek State Park, located in the picturesque Badlands near Medora, is now called Rough Rider State Park. This change was shared by the state Parks and Recreation Department on Sunday, which also revealed plans for a $4 million expansion of the park’s campground and additional facilities. Established in 1970, the park is a favorite among hikers and equestrians.

The decision to rename the park aligns with a broader national trend to rethink place names that many people consider controversial or offensive. In recent years, the federal government has taken steps to rename hundreds of geographic features with disparaging terms tied to Native American culture and to replace designations of military bases named for Confederate leaders.

Director Cody Schulz of the Parks and Recreation Department noted on Monday that officials were mindful of the “complex history” associated with General Alfred Sully, who orchestrated military campaigns that targeted the Sioux tribes in the 1860s. The name change resonates with the park’s equestrian focus as well as the region’s rich Western heritage, which includes President Theodore Roosevelt’s history in the area during the 1880s. Nearby, a presidential library dedicated to Roosevelt is currently under construction.

While the Sully name was taken into account during the renaming process, Schultz emphasized that it was not the central motivation for the change. There is also a creek named Sully Creek near the park.

General Sully was responsible for military operations against the Sioux, including the well-documented Battle of Whitestone Hill in 1863 and the Battle of Killdeer Mountain in 1864. These encounters led to the deaths of several hundred Native Americans.

Cheryl Kary, the executive director of the Sacred Pipe Resource Center, emphasized that genuine reconciliation and healing cannot be achieved without moving past the “conquest mentality” reflected in the naming of public spaces after military figures. She pointed out that two parks in the Bismarck area honor similar contentious figures, including Custer Park, which faced proposals for renaming.

Kary, who is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, highlighted the irony of naming parks—which are typically viewed as bastions of peace and family enjoyment—after individuals associated with violence. She acknowledged that while the Rough Rider name is a step up from the Sully Creek name, it is still not a perfect fit.

In a similar vein, Congress renamed Sullys Hill National Game Preserve near Devils Lake to White Horse Hill National Game Preserve in 2019, following a request from the Spirit Lake Tribe. This move reflects the ongoing effort to address historical injustices and foster a more inclusive narrative in public spaces.