OutdoorNebraska

38 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • 2016 Annual Report F O R T A T K I N S O N S T A T E H I S T O R I C A L P A R K T A C T I C A L P L A N Fort Atkinson is rich with history and is an excellent example of westward expansion in the United States. Game and Parks created an advisory committee of the public to develop the five-year Fort Atkinson State Historical Park Tactical Plan. The vision created by the committee for Fort Atkinson is "to be a viable tourist destination that offers quality historical interpretation of the westward expansion of the U.S. and Fort Atkinson's role in this history that increases visitation to the Fort and the community of Fort Calhoun." The committee is defining roles for each partner, setting priorities, identifying potential funding sources, and working as a partnership to ensure the plan's success. M O V I N G F O R W A R D W I T H V E N T U R E P A R K S In an effort to provide more types of park experiences, Game and Parks is planning the first phase of the Venture Park complex for Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP), Platte River SP, Louisville State Recreation Area (SRA) and Schramm Park SRA. These parks will provide different experiences for visitors, expanding educational opportunities and creating adventures around every corner. The Venture Park complex is a $35.5 million project, with the majority of funding coming from private donors and foundations. Conceptual planning was completed in early spring and an engineer was hired to design and build key elements of the first phase of the complex. These key elements provide new, unique lodging opportunities, water features, indoor climbing features, all-season tubing and sledding, canoe/ kayaking access points, and a state-of-the-art Aquatic and Nature Interactive Exploration Center. Other elements of the phase are biking and hiking trails, natural playgrounds and climbing features, floating playground, naturalist programming, and infrastructure improvements. Construction will begin in early spring of 2017 on first phase projects and should be completed, depending on the project, in late 2017 or early 2018. FORT ATKINSON FOURTH OF JULY REENACTORS AND VISITORS QUILT PROJECT AT FORT ROBINSON STATE PARK

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