48 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • 2014 Annual Report
A G A T E W A Y T O O U T D O O R
R E C R E A T I O N
Game and Parks prides itself in the diverse array of events
and programs offered to visitors of state park areas. Expos
continue to take place at Ponca State Park (SP), Fort Kearny
State Recreation Area (SRA), Wildcat Hills Nature Center and
Platte River SP. Events are designed to invite participants
into the outdoors and introduce them to the various activities
that they can enjoy outdoors such as shooting sports, fishing,
kayaking, outdoor cooking and photography. Programming
is designed to facilitate learning opportunities for all ages.
Outreach efforts impact nearly 5,000 elementary age students
and thousands of public participants. The 10th Annual Missouri
River Outdoor Expo at Ponca SP drew 45,000 visitors.
Parks offered naturalist programs, enhanced wildlife viewing
opportunities, guided hikes, living history demonstrations and
much more. Other park highlights include:
• Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical
Park (SHP) and Fort Robinson SP held events to celebrate the
Christmas season.
• Halloween-themed events were held at Arbor Lodge SHP,
Wildcat Hills Nature Center, Alexandria SRA, Ponca SP, Indian
Cave SP and Mahoney SP.
• Visitation over the Fourth of July weekend at Lake
McConaughy SRA was a record 181,000.
• Mahoney SP hosted an estimated 10,000 scouts for the
Boy Scout Jubilee in October.
