Nebraska state park areas see many enhancements
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is reinvesting into the state’s recreational resources to enhance outdoor experiences, support state tourism, and provide safe and accessible amenities in state park areas and trails. Completed projects will appeal to an array of park users, from campers to anglers.
The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects:
Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail – After being damaged by the historic 2019 flood, more than $34,000 in Capital Maintenance Funds were used to restore a section of trail just east of Long Pine to pre-flood conditions, including removing debris and fallen trees. Federal Emergency Management Agency funds also were used.
Fort Robinson State Park – Tuckpointing and masonry repairs were performed for the preservation of several historic buildings used for lodging using more than $75,000 of CMF funds.
Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area – An aging shower facility was replaced in Pathfinder Campground, and a dump station was relocated using more than $389,000 in CMF funds. Land and Water Conservation Fund and other federal dollars also were used.
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area – A wastewater treatment facility was built using more than $14,000 of CMF funds to bring the park into compliance with current regulations. Federal dollars also were used.
Long Pine State Recreation Area – A design was completed for a new electrical campground and shower house, ADA access, as well as road milling and overlay. The project cost more than $66,000 in CMF funds and used LWCF dollars as well.
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area – Twenty new 50-amp campsites and a shower house were built between Cedar Bay and West Beeds, including ADA accessibility, to enhance revenue potential. This project used more than $575,000 in CMF funds. Federal dollars also were used.
Plum Creek Wildlife Management Area – A fishing node adjacent to the boat ramp was removed for public safety after sustaining significant damage. A new, roll-in dock system that fluctuates with changing water levels was installed using $12,000 in CMF funds. Also used with Sport Fish Restoration Grant funds and the agency’s Game Cash Fund.
Ponca State Park – An underground electrical line was installed to provide service to the Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex at a cost of $42,804 in CMF funds and LWCF dollars. Also, for public safety, cracked and heaving concrete was replaced at the entrance to the park’s swimming pool using $19,000 in CMF funds.
Willow Creek State Recreation Area – A fishing deck on the south side of lake was built for public safety access to replace a deck destroyed by flooding. The project used $314,840 in CMF funds and other state and federal dollars.
Windmill State Recreation Area – A playground was installed near Lake 4 to replace unsafe/noncompliant equipment using $75,000 in CMF dollars and LWCF funding.
The projects funded by Capital Maintenance and Land and Water Conservation Funds improve safety and accessibility, protect natural habitats, boost local economies, and ensure long-term sustainability. These investments create more welcoming parks for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.
Capital Maintenance Funds were established by the Nebraska Legislature to help preserve Nebraska’s public outdoor recreation facilities and parklands. These, as well as state and federal funding sources, and Nebraska Game and Parks’ funds generated from user fees of the state park system, funded these park improvement projects.