Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Trails topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nebraska Game and Parks expresses strong interest in Camp Augustine; city links trail proposal to park development
Summary
City staff said Nebraska Game and Parks has prioritized Camp Augustine and expects to provide a management agreement; the agency’s interest strengthens arguments for the South Locust Trail that would connect to Mormon Island and Camp Augustine.
Grand Island city staff told the council on June 17 that Nebraska Game and Parks has signaled strong interest in managing Camp Augustine and that the state agency and its foundation have placed the site as a top statewide priority, an update officials said could affect the city’s trail and amenity planning.
City staff said representatives from Nebraska Game and Parks told them the agency hopes to present a management agreement in July, and that the Game and Parks Foundation is treating Camp Augustine as a major fundraising priority. The mayor and staff said the state agency appeared eager to move quickly, and that a long‑term agreement could be drafted with renewable 25‑year terms.
Why it matters: Camp Augustine’s development and an agency‑run management arrangement would create a destination that staff said could increase use of the proposed South Locust Trail, which the city has estimated at approximately $7 million and which includes two river crossings. Staff said Game and Parks could immediately use existing roads and trails on the site for initial access if the full trail terminus is postponed to save cost.
What staff reported - Management interest: staff said Game and Parks officials were “gleeful” and described the agency as prioritizing Camp Augustine through its foundation fundraising. City staff said they expect a drafted management agreement in July and discussed leasing the property to Game and Parks for a nominal fee and a long‑term renewal structure. - Trail linkage: staff emphasized the South Locust Trail is part of an amenity package that connects the Riverway Trail to Mormon Island and the Platte River; the $7 million estimate is conservative and includes two river crossings. Staff said building only to a roadway terminus could reduce near‑term city cost while enabling visitors to use existing camp access roads once Game and Parks operates the site. - Staffing and staging: staff said Game and Parks indicated the foundation and agency plan to support development and that the agency may budget for an on‑site staff position to oversee operations and initial programming as the park is developed.
Council reaction Some council members said the prospect of a state agency managing Camp Augustine strengthens the case for the trail but urged the city to seek a management agreement and a clear timeline before committing full trail funding. Council members agreed staff should return with the proposed management agreement and asked Game and Parks representatives to attend council meetings when the draft is available.
Ending City staff said they will pursue the management agreement with Nebraska Game and Parks and asked the agency to present the proposal to the council; staff recommended council reserve detailed funding decisions on the South Locust Trail until the management agreement and fundraising plans are clearer.
