OutdoorNebraska

2017 Annual Report 25 F O R T A T K I N S O N A N D P O N C A S T A T E P A R K – P L A N N I N G F O R T H E F U T U R E A design charrette is a unique type of planning session in which agency staff , designers and members of the public collaborate on a vision for development, and 2017 marked the fi rst time Game and Parks tried this tactic. Game and Parks held charrettes at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park and at Ponca State Park. Each charrette involved two or three days of sharing ideas about possible activities, amenities and updates at each park. Designers then developed sketches and renderings of what future updates and amenities might look like, and shared them at an open house. Ideas discussed at the Fort Atkinson design charrette in May included building a new park entrance and adding a new community building. At the Ponca charrette in October, ideas included adding a new venue for weddings and other events, constructing an outdoor education complex and updating the park entrance. THE CONVERGENCE ON SACRED GROUND WAS HOSTED BY THE FRIENDS OF ASH HOLLOW CELEBRATING NEBRASKA'S 150 ANNIVERSARY. D E F E R R E D M A I N T E N A N C E S U M M A R Y In 2017, Game and Parks focused on completing a number of deferred maintenance projects. Highlights include: ● Arbor Lodge State Historical Park – A modern restroom was installed and electrical and fi re code upgrades and commercial kitchen repairs were completed. The HVAC system as replaced at the mansion and restrooms were reconstructed in the mansion and carriage house. ● Ponca State Park – Grading, foundation construction and utilities were installed for 10 cabins. Two of the cabins that will be installed will be fully ADA accessible. The cabins will replace deteriorated cabins that are no longer meeting our visitor's needs. Delivery of the 10 cabins is scheduled for early 2018. ● Indian Cave State Park – The agency entered into an agreement with the Richardson County Rural Water District 2 to provide a water system connection to the park. Design is underway by the Rural Water District to provide reliable water service. ● Platte River State Park – Water and sewer system upgrades were completed. Shower latrines were installed at various locations and additional sites were prepared for shower latrines to be completed in 2018. ● Projects also were completed at Two Rivers, Calamus Reservoir, Swanson Reservoir and Mormon Island state recreation areas.

• Cover