Guests to find many upgrades at Nebraska’s Venture Parks

Visitors to state park areas in Nebraska’s Venture Park region will find enhanced day-use 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:

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park – Guests at Peter Kiewit Lodge in Eugene T. Mahoney State Park will find remodeled rooms and improved comfort thanks to a project to be completed in 2025. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning in all 40 lodge rooms has been replaced, providing a modern cooling and heating system for each room. Dated systems controls were replaced with modern ones to ensure guest comfort. Additional improvements include renovated bathrooms, updated furniture and new siding on the north side of the lodge.

The HVAC project used $24,841.25 in Capital Maintenance Funds and $1.6 million in State Park Improvement funds so far. Total expected costs in State Park Improvement funds spent will be $1.8 million.

A roofing project is ongoing at the lodge. The iconic green roof’s asphalt shingles are being replaced with composite shaker-style shingles. The project is expected to cost $977,000 in State Park Improvement funds.

A sewer system improvement project at Mahoney made critical infrastructure upgrades. This included a full rehabilitation of the lift station that serves 15 cabins and the Family Aquatic Center. Work included the installation of a new rail and control system and the repair of a collapsed section of force main piping. This project used $4,250 in Capital Maintenance Funds and $37,500 in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

An Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant entrance and parking upgrade at the lodge are in the design phase. A new front entrance sidewalk and ADA parking spaces will be added to the north side of the lodge’s main entrance. Construction will be completed in phases to avoid any closures to the lodge or Carl’s at Mahoney restaurant.

Still early in the development and funding stages is the Mahoney Waterway project. This would enhance and repair the existing waterway between the James Family Conservatory and Nature Center and Baright Lake, where the Owen Marina is located. Improvements could include a multi-tiered retention pond system, waterway access and potential for improved fishing access at the lake.

Louisville State Recreation Area – Opportunities have improved for anglers at Louisville State Recreation Area, thanks to upgrades made through an Angler Access Project.

• At Lake No. 1, an existing fishing pier was redecked and ADA access added, a fishing shore-hugger jetty (pier attached to shore without gangway) was redecked, and a new fishing pier was built.
• At Lake No. 1A, an existing fishing pier was redecked and ADA access added, two rock jetties were built along with excavation, and a shore-hugger jetty was built.
• At Lake No. 2, artificial habitat structures were added, an existing fishing pier was redecked, excavation occurred, and a shore-hugger jetty was built.
• At Lake No. 3, ADA access was added to an existing floating fishing pier.

This $1.3 million project was paid with Federal Sportfish Restoration Funds, Aquatic Habitat Funds and Capital Maintenance Funds.

A new vault toilet was added to the west side of Louisville SRA, providing additional restroom facilities for camping and fishing. This toilet replacement used $15,200 in CMF and $15,200 in federal funds.

Two Rivers State Recreation Area – The electrical systems in the Lakeside Campground at Two Rivers State Recreation Area were upgraded to provide consistent 50-amp service to all remaining campsites. This project included improvements to 16 sites and the addition of two ADA-accessible campsites. The projected used $81,000 in Capital Maintenance Funds and $37,750 in federal funds.

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.