Nebraskaland Magazine
LINCOLN, Neb. – One of the tallest climbing walls in the region is now open at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) near Ashland.
Mahoney SP’s Venture Climb, housed in a new, state-of-the-art addition to the Activity Center, features a 42-foot climbing wall with both auto- and top-rope belays, as well as a bouldering structure. Climbers are treated to scenic views of the park through the facility’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Mahoney State Park is becoming a destination for visitors who want to have a unique, memorable and adventurous experience,” said Jim Swenson, state parks director for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “We are thrilled to be able to offer another fun and engaging challenge for our park visitors.”
Venture Climb is great for both novice and experienced climbers and is Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible. Admission is $11 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and under. Equipment rental is included with admission price. Personal equipment is permitted but must be inspected first and approved by a Venture Climb employee. There is no time limit for climbing.
Those who use the facility must fit into a harness provided by the park. All climbers must sign a waiver in person prior to using the facility. A parent must sign the waiver for climbers 18 and younger.
Winter hours for the Activity Center, including Venture Climb are: Monday, Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center and climbing facility are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Venture Climb was constructed as part of Nebraska’s new Venture Parks Complex, an innovative public-private partnership at four park areas: Mahoney SP, Platte River SP, Schramm Park State Recreation Area (SRA) and Louisville SRA.
Venture Parks are designed to provide unique activities and experiences for a new generation of park visitors, while also inspiring an appreciation of nature and outdoor recreation. In addition to Venture Climb, four new major Venture Parks features were completed in 2018: The Go Ape Treetop Adventure, also at Mahoney SP; three new glamping cabins and an outdoor spray park at Platte River SP; and a floating playground at Louisville SRA. More information on these and other features is available online at OutdoorNebraska.org/VentureParks.
