Lincoln Parks & Recreation

Happy Juneteenth!

We're inviting community members to a family-friendly celebration of Juneteenth at “F” Street Community Center, 1225 “F” St on Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This free, all-ages event will include food, music, art and activities honoring freedom, history and community togetherness. No registration is required.

Activities include:
💚 Free meal from the grill (hotdogs, hamburgers, watermelon, chips)
💚 Ice cream treats
💚 Free haircuts for kids
💚 Face painting
💚 Community art project
💚 Carnival games for kids
💚 Live music
💚 Speakers and entertainment
💚 Booths with community partners and vendors
💚 Yard games

A portion of the Rock Island Trail between Washington and Garfield streets will temporarily close Tuesday, June 16, for installation of a trail use counter. Trail users are asked to use 29th Street between Washington and Garfield streets during the closure.

The closure will be marked, and the trail is scheduled to reopen Wednesday, June 17.

For trail information, visit lincoln.ne.gov/trails.

💚We're dedicated to keeping our city parks and parking lots clean and safe—please do not dispose of storm debris or tree limbs in these areas. Proper disposal protects our community and helps maintain recent repairs. 💚

Property owners are responsible for tree debris on their land—take it to the North 48th Street Transfer Station at 5101 N. 48th St. during business hours: 6:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, and 6:45 a.m. to noon Sundays. Regular disposal charges and fees apply. ⚠️ Remember to secure your load to avoid extra charges; details at lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/LTU/Utilities/Solid-Waste-Management.

As a reminder, after a storm, downed trees, limbs, power lines and other damage should be reported in the following ways:
🚧 For any debris blocking City streets and sidewalks, contact the Lincoln Police Department non-emergency line at 402-441-6000. Do not call 911. Lincoln police report locations of blocked areas to City crews.
🌳 For damage to public trees (those located between the curb and sidewalk), contact the City Community Forestry Section at 402-441-7847, ext. 0. Voice mail is available at this number, and residents are encouraged to provide their name, address, phone number and the nature of the problem.
📲 Residents can also report damage to street trees at UPLNK.lincoln.ne.gov.
⚡ Lincoln Electric System urges residents to stay away from downed power lines. Report any damaged equipment or downed lines to LES immediately at 1-888-365-2412 or les.com/report-outage.
🚦 To report storm-related damage to City infrastructure like non-functioning traffic signals or fallen street signs, submit a report at UPLNK.lincoln.ne.gov.

Thanks for helping keep our city clean, safe, and thriving!

It was a beautiful morning to announce the acquisition of nearly 100 acres of land southwest of the Pioneers Park Nature Center property, which further advances plans for the Prairie Corridor on the Haines Branch project. This important acquisition supports a long-term community vision to expand outdoor recreation opportunities, protect natural resources, strengthen flood resilience, and create a destination that attracts visitors from across the country.

When completed, this project will span from the Pioneers Park Nature Center to the Spring Creek Audubon Center near Denton, Nebraska. Plans for the area include a 14.5-mile multi-use trail that will connect to Lincoln's trail system, the restoration of nearly 2,000 acres of tallgrass prairie, and the preservation of 3,400 acres of native prairie. With this almost decade-long project and new acquisition, about 70% of the project is secured.

"This trail will allow residents and visitors to experience this landscape firsthand, connecting people to nature, recreation, and the remarkable beauty of Nebraska's prairie heritage. Families will hike these trails, students will learn about Nebraska's natural history, and visitors will experience a landscape that exists in very few places today," said Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross.

Joining Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Lincoln Parks & Recreation Director Stuckey-Ross at the event were David Potter, Lower Platte South NRD General Manager, and Nicole Fleck-Tooze, Solidago Conservancy Executive Director.

Read the full press release: https://bit.ly/4uwcOj2

Lincoln Parks Foundation

As it continues to warm up, keep an eye out of a few creatures that walk a little slower crossing the road such as turtles, frogs, and birds.