Plenty of improvements in Nebraska’s north-central state parks await visitors this year. Projects completed in 2023 or to be finished in 2024 will appeal to an array of park users. The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects:
Smith Falls State Park:
Visitors again are enjoying the sight of Smith Falls, Nebraska’s tallest waterfall. The waterfall at Smith Falls State Park, and the newly constructed 500-foot boardwalk to it, reopened in 2023, replacing the wooden boardwalk. The $2.7 million project includes a boardwalk built of composite decking on a steel frame with aluminum handrails and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. New benches provide places for visitors to rest and a platform over the stream has been added midway up the walkway.
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area:
Good news for campers at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, the West Beeds campground will expand by 14 Electric Plus sites and a new shower house in a $900,000 project to be completed this year.
Calamus State Recreation Area:
A new activity is available for visitors of popular Calamus State Recreation Area as an archery range has been built at a cost of just more than $6,000.
Long Pine State Recreation Area:
Two Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant vault toilets are expected to be replaced this year at Long Pine State Recreation Area.
Keller Park State Recreation Area:
Campers at Keller Park State Recreation Area will find RV campsites that received an electrical upgrade at a cost of more than $300,000. Two ADA-compliant vault toilets are expected to be replaced this year.