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Lincoln Parks & Recreation Newsletter, January 2011
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Greetings!
This month's banner image features a youngster completing his Lincoln Safari at the Nature Center. Find out more about Lincoln Safari below. Please, feel free to contact us at parks@lincoln.ne.gov with your comments and suggestions. If you know of someone interested in this information, please spread the word by using the link at the bottom to forward this newsletter. Past newsletters can be found on the News & Publications section of our website. |
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New Classes & Programs
Parks & Recreation info will again be mailed directly to you! Be sure to check your mailbox February 1 and 2, as well as our website, parks.lincoln.ne.gov, for the new program guide. The spring edition will include information on summer day camps, Nature Center and Recreation Center programs, Public Pools and much, much more. |
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Lincoln Safari is back, and ADVANCED!
 When the Healthy Families Play Outside (HFPO) partnership launched Lincoln Safari in 2008, the goal was to help reintroduce children and adults to nature. Healthy lifestyles, imaginative play, quality family time, and environmental stewardship are just some of the benefits that Lincoln Safari hopes to achieve.
This year, Lincoln Safari is back - and advanced! The program again challenges participants with their guidebooks to find rubbing posts in many outdoor locations and the Creative Captures allow the participant's imaginative side to shine. The new Beyond Lincoln section gets the group out of town for an afternoon filled with nature and fun. Guidebooks are limited so hurry to any Lincoln City Library or the Pioneers Park Nature Center to pick up your free copy today!
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Union Plaza Update
Construction of the first two phases of Union Plaza has been completed. This work generally consisted of creation of the new waterway and surrounding park areas, installation of the primary trail system, retaining walls, amphitheater, and supporting infrastructure.
The third and final phase of park development should begin this spring and continue into the summer of 2012. This phase will include the installation of multiple display fountains, pedestrian plaza spaces, a children's play area, various shade structures and lots of landscaping. It will also include the construction of the Great Plains Trails Center building near the corner of 21st & Q Streets. As this final phase of park construction wraps up, we will be installing art work that includes the timeless tile murals and the Groundwater Colossus sculpture. If everything goes according to plan, Union Plaza will be officially completed and fully open to the public in the Summer of 2012.
| | Groundwater Colossus sculpture |
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Trail News
- Holdrege Street pedestrian bridge was constructed in 2010 and now provides safe connections between the Dietrich Trail and Antelope Valley Trails.
- Billy Wolff/Antelope Valley Connector Trail will connect the Antelope Valley Trail with the Billy Wolff trail with the construction of a new bridge across Antelope Creek this summer.
- Billy Wolff Trail between 56th and 58th streets will be replaced this summer due to safety concerns over separated concrete.
- Bison Trail Bridge was closed in 2010 and funding applications for reconstruction are in progress. Should the project be fully funded, completion should be in 2012.
- Cavett Connector Trail joining Tierra/Williamsburg Trail with the Yankee Hill Road Trail is in the design phase. Completion is expected in 2013.
- Jamaica North Trail from Calvert to A streets is in final design with hopes to be open in 2012.
For more information on these and other trail projects, please visit the Trails page on our website.
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What to do, what to do...
Are you and your family already bored with winter? Here are our suggestions for staying active during these sometimes sluggish months. Or you can make your own to-do list from our complete program guide.
For preschoolers:- Play at the Ager Indoor Play Center
- Schedule a visit to Dual Language (Spanish/English) Preschool at Irving Recreation Center or Calvert's Creative Link programs
- Explore the wonders of nature with your little one at Preschool Nature Play every 3rd Saturday from 10-11:30 AM for just $7/child at the Pioneers Park Nature Center
For youth:- Drop in during after school hours at F St. Community Center or on the weekends at Air Park, Belmont, Calvert, F Street and Irving Centers.
- Mid-level Teen Treks at 7 PM on January 21st at Belmont Rec. Center
- Participate in the FREE open gym for youth (18 & under) every Saturday from 1-5 PM at Irving Recreation Center
- Jump into Spring at Nature Explorers Camp for youth 6-12 years old, March 21-25 ($125/week). Hop into a world of discovery!
For adults:- Join "Basic Yoga" Class at F St. Community Center
- Walk on the indoor tracks at Belmont or F St. Centers
- Play basketball during one of our adult basketball times
- Join us for poetry about the prairies and a hot drink on January 30th and February 20th at the Nature Center.
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Volunteers rack up the hours
The Garden Gab & Docent program had a very successful 2010 with 204 volunteers participating throughout the year. We had an overwhelming amount of volunteer hours! With that, we would like to thank some of our volunteers:
- Carole Closter and Brendan Moore had over 100 hours
- Mary Bothwell, Karen Creswell and Elaine Lehl had over 50 hours
- AJ Holt, JeNeane Dodson, Mary Holtmeier, Judy Smith, Marsha West and Nancy Savery all had well over 30 hours!
Way to go Volunteers!!!
Thanks again for all your help this past year and we look forward to having another successful year in 2011!
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