Parks

LINCOLN, Neb. – A master plan is being developed for the Fort Kearny State Recreation Area and State Historical Park; and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking public input. The proposed plan strikes a balance between historic preservation and recreation opportunities for current and future visitors. The public is invited to an in-person open house from 5:30-7 p.m. June 22 in the Event Room at the Archway in Kearney. The open house will have several stations where the …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in celebrating the parks system centennial year with a two-day birthday bash June 11-12 at Chadron State Park. Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas, joined by Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley, U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, and Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation Chairman Jim Abel will welcome guests to the celebration during an 11 a.m. ceremony Saturday at the sports field. “State lawmakers in 1921 recognized the value of creating our …

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is challenging outdoor enthusiasts in 2021 to explore the diverse state park system in honor of the parks’ centennial through the Your Parks Adventure challenge. Starting June 1, participants who visit any state parks or recreation areas, snap a photo at a designated station, and submit it and their story online are eligible to win prizes. Designated selfie stations will be at 100 sites among Game and Parks’ 76 state park, …

An Oasis at the Edge of the Sandhills Victoria Springs State Recreation opened in August 1925, an estimated 4,500 people attended the celebration. These days, around 6,000 people visit in an entire year. It’s a quiet little park, which is exactly why those who visit do so. Some folks will say the 60-acre park is in the middle of nowhere. But that isn’t true. It’s only 6 miles off the beaten path of Nebraska Highway 2 if you head west …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Enjoy music, barbeque, history and trick shooting at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area’s 100-year Extravaganza on June 5. The daylong event is part of Nebraska’s state parks centennial celebration. Activities will be located on the north side of the reservoir at Hannibal Hollow and Center Dam. Food and craft vendors will set up near the main park entrance at Center Dam camping area. All the events and activities are free. Camping at North 40 and Center Dam …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Visitors to Nebraska state parks can take a survey online to share their experiences this summer. To take the survey, visit go.unl.edu/nestateparks. The survey also is available at OutdoorNebraska.org/parkusersurvey. Crews have been conducting surveys in select parks every weekend since the beginning of April and will continue through the first weekend of August. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is looking for feedback about visitors’ park experiences at 22 state parks, recreation areas and historical parks. It is contracting …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Explore Nebraska parks, engage in healthy recreation — and possibly win prizes — by joining the 2021 Great Park Pursuit, an exploration of 20 official parks sites across the state. The free program encourages participants to visit the designated community, regional, state and federal parks between now and Sept. 30, 2021. Participants must register at negpp.org. This year’s participating parks are: Barnett Park, McCook; Bussell Park, Ord; Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area, Enders; Fort Kearny State Historical Park, Kearney; …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Reservable campsites will be available beginning May 10 at northeastern Nebraska’s Danish Alps and Summit Lake state recreation areas. Starting at 9 a.m. Central time, half of the electric-plus Pigeon Creek Equestrian Campground and Jones Creek Campground sites will become available for reservation at Danish Alps. The 22 basic tent sites and six kayak-in sites remain first-come, first-served. At the same time at Summit Lake, half of the electric-plus Muskrat Campground and Eckdahl Campground sites will become …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Free Fishing and Park Entry Day in Nebraska is May 22. Enjoy a Saturday of fishing or state park activities during the park system centennial year without the need to purchase a fishing or park entry permit for the day. Free Fishing and Park Entry Day, held annually in Nebraska on the Saturday preceding Memorial Day weekend, means anyone can explore outdoor opportunities at any Nebraska state park, state recreation area or state historical park. Anglers must …

EDITOR’S NOTE: A video preview and photo is available at http://netnebraska.org/news-releases/discover-nebraskas-nine-state-historical-parks-new-documentary-net. For more information, contact Kim Rogers at krogers@netNebraska.org. LINCOLN, Neb. – Just in time for summer road trip planning, NET, Nebraska’s PBS & NPR Stations, premieres “Adventures in History: Discovering Nebraska’s State Historical Parks.” The documentary, produced in partnership with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, airs at 7 p.m. CT, Sunday, May 23, on NET World. Program host and narrator Stephanie Arne, an accomplished conservationist, explores each of Nebraska’s …