Enjoy upgrades at southeastern Nebraska state parks

Visitors to state park areas in southeastern Nebraska will find enhanced day-use and camping amenities. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission projects in the works or completed will appeal to an array of park users. The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects:

Bluestem State Recreation Area – Like many reservoirs in southeastern Nebraska, the water at Bluestem SRA is low. Taking advantage of that, the Nebraska Game and Parks replaced the main boat ramp, which was cracked and had sunk.

The old ramp was torn out and a single-lane concrete one replaced it. A sidewalk was added along the length of the ramp and a dock was installed. Also, a single-stall American with Disabilities Act-compliant parking pad with access to the top of the ramp was built.

The $194,288.41 project was funded by a Recreational Boating Safety Grant through the United States Coast Guard and the Capital Maintenance Fund.

While the site should be open soon, the ramp will not be functional until rain fills the reservoir.

Bluestem also has a new electrical campground with 39 campsites, as well as a CXT shower house. The Capital Maintenance Fund paid for this $1,405,973 project.

Indian Cave State Park – A roughly mile-long water line was installed at Indian Cave State Park to supply drinking water to the equestrian camp facility and many basic campsites. This $284,061 job was funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Capital Maintenance Fund.

Branched Oak SRA – A vault toilet was replaced at Branched Oak SRA. The new toilet cost $35,000 and was funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Alexandria SRA – A new, replacement vault toilet was installed at Alexandria SRA in Jefferson County. The $35,000 project was paid for by the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Rock Creek Station SRA – There is good news for campers at Rock Creek Station SRA near Fairbury. All 25 electrical campsites have been upgraded to 50 amps. The Land and Water Conservation Fund and Capital Maintenance Fund paid for this $188,730 project.

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.