Parks

LINCOLN – Experience a history-rich Fourth of July weekend at Fort Kearny State Historical Park (SHP) during the park’s annual Stampede Days event. From July 2 to July 4, visitors can explore a traditional soldiers’ camp, see living history exhibits and watch wood carving demonstrations by the Central Nebraska Wood Carvers. A cannon will be fired each day. Wagon rides will take place on July 2. The following day, Humanities Nebraska speaker and author Charlotte Endorf will portray Annie Oakley …

LINCOLN – A health advisory is in effect at Harlan County Reservoir in Harlan County after high levels of toxic blue-green algae were detected earlier this week. Meanwhile, a health advisory has been lifted at Pawnee Lake in Lancaster County. The elevated algae levels at Harlan County Reservoir were detected during testing by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ). During this same round of testing, blue-green algae levels at Pawnee Lake were shown to have dropped to normal levels. …

LINCOLN – Learn about leather working, bats, raptors and Teddy Roosevelt during a new speaker series this summer at Two Rivers State Recreation Area (SRA).  Programs will take place evenings during June, July and August. All programs are family-friendly and offered free-of-charge to park visitors.  Programs scheduled for this summer are: June 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m.:  Tandy Leather will give a presentation on the variety of uses of leather, as well as on how to make products from leather. At the …

LINCOLN – Women can learn more about using .22 caliber handguns at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park’s (SHP) free Basic Handgun Class for Women. Set for June 25, the class will cover gun handling safety, types of handguns, and shooting grip, stance and sight alignment. The class will conclude with a Q&A session and range time. Equipment is provided, and registration closes on June 18. Fort Hartsuff SHP is located 10 miles southeast of Burwell. A park entry permit is required …

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is accepting recreational trail grant applications for fiscal year 2016 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 hand. This …

LINCOLN – Now that the presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Nebraska, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission emphasizes that campers should continue to restrict the movement of firewood to prevent the spread of EAB throughout the state. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture on June 8 confirmed the presence of the EAB in Omaha’s Pulaski Park. EAB is a tree-killing beetle native to Asia. It can move from state to state in firewood. As …

LINCOLN – Jenny Newman Pond at Platte River State Park is undergoing a renovation that will include the addition of Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walks, improved fishing access and interactive ponds. While there will be no direct impact to the Cottonwood, Choke Cherry 1 and Choke Cherry 2 cabins near the pond, the area behind them will be under construction. Owen Landing remains open daily until mid-August, and then will be open on weekends only. Paddleboat rides and fishing access …

The Intertribal Gathering Powwow, scheduled for June 18-19 at Fort Robinson State Park, has been canceled. The Friends of the Intertribal Gathering, the committee that oversees the event, decided earlier this week to cancel this year’s powwow, citing a lack of funding that led to a low number of committed participants. The committee is working to bring the powwow back next year. Although the powwow has been called off, the gathering’s popular 5k run is still a go. It will …

LINCOLN – Come to Platte River State Park (SP) this summer and learn or expand shooting skills with three different workshops. Introduction to Shotguns and Trap Shooting will be held June 15 and July 13. Led by a trap coach, this workshop is designed for new and novice shooters. It will include an introduction to shotguns, trap shooting and 5-stand sporting clays. The Rimfire Steel Plate Fun Shoot is scheduled for June 11, July 16 and Aug. 13. The entire …

LINCOLN – Visitors to seven state recreation areas will be allowed to touch off fireworks on Independence Day, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Those visitors should always use caution when lighting fireworks. Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) near Malcolm, Fort Kearny SRA near Kearney, Memphis SRA near Memphis, Fremont SRA near Fremont, Two Rivers SRA near Venice, Pawnee SRA near Emerald and Wagon Train SRA near Hickman will permit fireworks from 8 a.m. until midnight on …