24 2022 Annual Report
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Recreation
I n t e r n a t i o n a l D a r k S k y P a r k
d e s i g n a t i o n e a r n e d
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, renowned for its
Sandhills location providing spectacular astronomical views,
was certified in 2022 as an International Dark Sky Park. Merritt
has hosted the annual Nebraska Star Party each summer for 29
years, when professional and amateur astronomers converge to
take advantage of a sky free of light pollution. Merritt is the first
Nebraska site certified by the International Dark-Sky Association.
International Dark Sky Parks are parks that are publicly- or
privately-owned spaces protected for natural conservation that
implement good outdoor lighting and provide dark sky programs
for visitors. Merritt, a 9,000-acre park southwest of Valentine in
Cherry County, already is known for its excellent fishing, boating
and camping opportunities.
The designation was earned in partnership with the Nebraska
Tourism Commission.
I n d i a n C a v e o p e n s
a c c e s s i b l e b o a r d w a l k
Indian Cave State Park's iconic cave, home to
prehistoric Native American petroglyphs, became
accessible to the public again in late summer 2022 with
the completed construction of a new boardwalk and
viewing deck. The old boardwalk was unusable after a
historic bomb cyclone in March 2019 caused a landslide.
While the southeast Nebraska park's old boardwalk
was a series of steps and platforms, the new one has a
ramp compliant with the Americans with Disabilities
Act and an 8-foot-wide viewing deck. In addition to the
ramp, a 5-foot-wide staircase accesses the boardwalk.
The total length of the boardwalk is 420 feet, but from
the top of the staircase, the boardwalk extends 160 feet
into the canyon. The Missouri River also can be seen
from the boardwalk.
Interpretive panels are being created to inform
visitors of the cultural aspects of the area and tell the
story of the petroglyphs. The $800,000 project was paid
for by the Capital Maintenance Fund.
Nebraska Star Party,
Merritt Reservoir SRA
