LINCOLN, Neb. – The public is invited to the grand opening of the new aquatic center at Ponca State Park on June 3. A welcome will kick off the event at 11 a.m., with guest speakers and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The aquatic center will open at noon, with food and concessions available. Family activities will start at 1 p.m. The aquatic center, which replaces a swimming pool that was built in 1956, can accommodate 250 people and showcases a combination …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Indian Cave State Park’s boat ramp is temporarily closed to public access because of high water in the Missouri River. The Riverview Marina boat ramp at Nebraska City is available.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Angler access improvements are planned this summer at Twin Lakes Wildlife Management Area in north-central Nebraska. New boat ramp facilities will be built at both north and south Twin lakes. South Twin will have an access road, parking area and walkways to a restroom and a concrete boat ramp built at this accessible launch facility. North Twin will have a gravel access road, rocked parking area and concrete boat ramp. Work should begin in early June and …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Kick off the summer with some fun family activities at Platte River State Park and Louisville State Recreation Area. — The Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex at Platte River SP will have an open house May 26 from 4-8 p.m. Come to the shooting range for an evening of fun, with most of the activities free. — Students who have completed the online hunter education certification can take a Hunt Safe Session at Platte River …

LINCOLN, Neb. – From June through August, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission conservation officers, in conjunction with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and the Nebraska State Patrol, will conduct special enforcement patrols focusing on state recreation areas (SRA) and other Commission-managed property in Lancaster County. The special patrols will focus on reducing the potential for alcohol-related vehicle and boat accidents around Branched Oak SRA, Pawnee SRA, Bluestem SRA, Wagon Train SRA, Stagecoach SRA and Wildwood Wildlife Management Area. The efforts …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in June. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. June 1 – Underwater spearfishing season begins at Box Butte Reservoir and on private waters June 1-30 – Archery paddlefish season June 2 – Final day eligible landowners may apply for one elk permit June 3 – National Trails Day, Indian …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Get outside and get dirty like you did when you were a child. This summer, the Family Nature Club will provide that opportunity. A Family Nature Club event will take place June 8, July 6, July 13 and Aug. 3 at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Outdoor Classroom, located at 2201 N. 13th St. in Norfolk. “Everyone needs an evening of unstructured play,” said Jamie Bachmann, wildlife education assistant. “At the outdoor classroom, you can climb …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Recent heavy rains have caused flooding on some wildlife management areas (WMA) in southeast Nebraska. Water is over the west road leading into Yankee Hill WMA in Lancaster County, resulting in the road closure until water recedes. The Peru Boat Ramp in Nemaha County and the Schilling WMA in Cass County are closed to access due to high flows from the Missouri River. Caution should be used when accessing any WMA in southeast Nebraska because of potentially …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The postponed boat-launch facility construction at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area’s Main Landing is scheduled to begin this fall. Reservoir water levels are two vertical feet lower this spring to facilitate the boat ramp and rock breakwater construction to begin later this year. When the project begins, breakwater construction will continue into late September as the reservoir refills. The public should be aware of construction activity and stay clear of the work area and construction equipment entering …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting Recreational Trail Program grant applications for fiscal year 2017 funding. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a grant program through the Federal Highway Administration that reimburses political subdivisions, such as communities, counties and natural resources districts, up to 80 percent of project costs for trail acquisition, development, renovation and support facilities. Applicants must have the financial means to undertake and maintain the project and all funding should be on …