Floating The Good Life • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 13
F U N D I N G A S S I S T A N C E A V A I L A B L E
Funding assistance may be available for project planning, design or implementation
where private donations or public capital improvement funds fall short of the total
budget. Grant funding assistance will depend on the classification of the project
stakeholders (private or public entities) and intended use of the project. In Nebraska,
grant opportunities administered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission can
be found at OutdoorNebraska.org/grants, with information regarding qualifications,
dollar amounts available, and submittal processes.
Contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offices as a public resource to
assist in understanding how you can lay out the steps for planning your water access
project.
Remain flexible and adaptable – something you do not plan on will come
up. "Be ready not to be ready." Do not be discouraged and continue to
place importance on the investment being made and the core objectives in
undertaking the project!
Figure 2: Phasing of Access Development
Expanded
parking area
Picnic shelter
provides shade
to adjacent
staging area
Fishing landings
constructed where
use is evident along
shoreline
Permanent
vault restroom
replaces
satellite toilet
Parking and vehicle
circulation
Drop off and
staging
Accessible
route to
launch
Satellite toilet
Ramp approach
and constructed
landing
Developing an overall vision for water
trail access is important to planning and
implementation. In the first phase, priorities
should focus on essential elements to
provide functional access.
INITIAL PHASE Construct of parking, staging,
approach, and launch elements of a standard
provision water trail access.
SECOND PHASE Construction of expanded parking and
circulation is needed as popularity and use increases.
Dedicate site area for expansion during the initial
design to limit disturbance to the initial phase. Consider
constructing before or after the summer season when
use is highest.
FINAL PHASE Incorporate additional day use
amenities or enhance initial basic amenities to
further grow the water trail access as a popular
public use area.
As use increases, construction of additional
elements will allow the site to grow and
accommodate increasing needs. The examples
shown below are one alternative to demonstrate
a phased approach.
PHASING DEVELOPMENT OF A WATER TRAIL ACCESS
