LINCOLN, Neb. – A new floating playground will open Aug. 1 at Louisville State Recreation Area (SRA).
One of the only floating playgrounds in the region, this new addition to Lake No. 2 offers a climbing wall, monkey bars and other obstacles sure to challenge and entertain guests of all skill levels.
“This is truly a unique feature,” said Jim Swenson, parks administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “Guests will be challenged, get wet and make memories, while having a blast.”
Admission is $18 for guests 13 and older and $13 for youth 6-12 for a 90-minute session. Sessions will begin each day a noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Children under 6 will not be admitted, and anyone using the floating playground must know how to swim. A life jacket is required and rental is included with admission price.
The floating playground will be open daily through Aug. 12. After that, it will be open on weekends only as long as the weather allows.
The new floating playground was completed as part of the new Venture Parks concept, which brings innovative, educational, exciting and often unexpected features to four popular state parks and recreation areas along the Platte River -- Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP), Platte River SP, Schramm Park SRA and Louisville SRA. Other features completed this summer include the Go Ape treetop ropes course at Eugene. T. Mahoney SP, and a new spray park and three new glamping cabins at Platte River SP.
Venture Parks is an innovative public-private partnership made possible in large part by generous donors. For more information, visit OutdoorNebraska.org/VentureParks.
An entry permit is required of each vehicle entering the park.
Fort Atkinson event to include Air Force flyover, Native American demonstrations
LINCOLN, Neb. – Visitors to Fort Atkinson State Historical Park in Fort Calhoun have long enjoyed the park’s rich tradition of living history. During an Aug. 4-5 event, visitors also will get to see something new for the park: an Air Force flyover and Native American dancers.
A TC-135 aircraft from the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue will make the flyover Aug. 4 at 12:15 p.m. In addition, Steve Tamayo, a Sicangu Lakota artist and consultant to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, will encourage hands-on participation in traditional activities, such as games and arrow making. The Young Spirit Dancers, a troupe of Native American dancers, also will perform.
The weekend’s events will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. both days. The Young Spirit Dancers will perform on Aug. 4, and the Native American games and arrow making will take place on Aug. 5. Contact the park for more information at 402-468-5611.
Fort Atkinson is located seven blocks east of U.S. Highway 75 near Fort Calhoun. A park entry permit is required.
