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26 2025–2030 SCORP SUCCESS STORY Prairie Sage Trail – A Community Vision Coming to Life The southwest Nebraska city of Imperial is turning a long-standing community dream into a lasting legacy with the development of the Prairie Sage Trail—the city's first dedicated walking and biking trail. Years in the making, this nearly half mile, 8-foot-wide concrete loop around the Chase County Community Hospital grounds is set to become a peaceful, scenic space for residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors, surrounded by native grasses and tall pines. The project is the result of persistent community interest and thoughtful planning. Although early talks began nearly a decade ago, momentum picked up in recent years after public surveys and conversations highlighted a walking trail as a top priority. A community minded eight-member committee formed the Prairie Sage Trail Committee to guide the project, and their collaboration with the City of Imperial, the hospital, and local donors has made the plan a reality. Public involvement played a key role through surveys, open house meetings, and outreach to the school and civic groups. With over $321,000 secured through a mix of federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds, city sales tax contributions, private donations, and a $30,000 grant from the Imperial Nebraska Community Foundation, the project is fully funded. Construction is slated to begin in spring 2026, with a target completion by late fall. But this trail isn't just being built, it's being cared for. Stewardship is at the heart of the plan. The Prairie Sage Trail committee will oversee creation of a volunteer group called "Friends of the Trail". This group will take on managing tasks like trash pickup, pet waste removal, snow clearance, and bench upkeep. This community- driven maintenance model ensures the trail remains safe, clean, and welcoming year-round. As the first phase of a broader initiative, the Prairie Sage Trail lays the groundwork for future trails around local parks, school, and fairgrounds. The long-term plan is to create a citywide trail network. With a strong foundation of partnerships, public support, and long- term stewardship, Imperial is building more than a path—it's cultivating a healthier, more connected community. For more information about the Prairie Sage Trail contact the Prairie Sage Trail Committee on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ share/1CTr4qCVGL/?mibextid=wwXIfr From left to right, Prairie Sage Trail committee members, Doug Gaswick, Jan Elliott, Tori Lechtenberg and Elizabeth Haarberg and Tyler Pribbeno is City Administrator/Community Development Director. Photo by Imperial Community Foundation. Page # 8200 Cody Drive, Suite A Lincoln, NE 68512 (402) 435-5441 Drawn By Date Scale www.flatwatergroup.com ACCESS RAMP WITH LOCKING BOLLARD TREE REMOVAL TREE REMOVAL LOCKING BOLLARD 8FT WIDE CONCRETE SHARED USE TRAIL 8FT WIDE CONCRETE SHARED USE TRAIL ACCESS RAMP HOSPITAL W 12TH ST SIOUX ST W 14TH ST MAX DR CITY OF IMPERIAL PRAIRIE SAGE TRAIL HOSPITAL LOOP SITE PLAN 10/30/2024 1" = 150' 1 of 2 STAFF SCALE 0 150' 150' 8FT WIDE CONCRETE SHARED USE TRAIL 8FT WIDE CONCRETE SHARED USE TRAIL CURB INLET STORM DRAIN PROPERTY LINE (APPROXIMATE) CITY OF IMPERIAL MAIN DRIVE EAST DRIVE DENTAL CLINIC EAST PARKING WEST DRIVE SOUTH PARKING Trail planning diagram for the Prairie Sage Trail. The Flatwater Group NEBRASKA'S OUTDOOR RECREATION PRIORITIES DRAF T