Great Park Pursuit Returns for Second Year

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NGPC news release, 4/21/09:

LINCOLN, Neb. – After a successful inaugural year in 2008, the Great Park Pursuit will return with more sites and outdoor adventures this May.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission joined the Nebraska Recreation and Park Association to develop the program. The goal was to encourage a healthier lifestyle for participants while increasing awareness of Nebraska's nature rich outdoor recreation opportunities.

The Great Park Pursuit, adopted from a similar outdoor initiative started by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, involves a challenge to visit Nebraska parks. Last year, 10 parks were included. This year's Pursuit is made up of 15 parks.

Participants follow clues to collect nature-based impressions from posts hidden in each of the selected parks. Prizes and entry into drawings are based on the number of tracings collected. While participants become registered for a free two-night cabin stay at a Nebraska state park of their choice with just one visit, the more sites the participants visit, the more opportunities they have to win. Grand prize winners will get to choose a $1,000 prize package of camping, kayaking, fishing, or cycling equipment.

Engaging youth in the natural world outside their door is an important component of the program. Of the 1,854 participants from 2008, 900 were children.

The Great Park Pursuit runs May 1 through Sept. 8. A kick-off event will be held May 16 at the Nebraska Outdoor Expo at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area (SRA). Other special events will be held June 20 at Pioneers Park in Lincoln, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; July 25 at Walnut Creek Lake in Papillion, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; and Aug. 8 at Calamus SRA, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

To build on the success of the 464 teams registered last year, which represented 122 Nebraska communities and eight states, the Great Park Pursuit will offer more opportunities to participate this year. Expanding the number of participating parks across Nebraska provides more close-to-home opportunities. In addition, the sites include a mix of local, state and federal parklands. The variety of sites selected highlights the great natural resources of Nebraska while raising awareness of locations that offer educational, historical and entertainment opportunities.

The participating parks this year are: Fort Robinson State Park (SP), Crawford; Central Park, Alliance; Ash Hollow State Historic Park, Lewellen; Kelley Park, McCook; Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest, Halsey; Calamus SRA, Burwell; Cowboy Trail, Norfolk; Scenic Park, South Sioux City; Lewis and Clark Landing, Omaha; Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area, Papillion; Platte River SP, Louisville; Indian Cave SP, Shubert; Pioneers Park, Lincoln; Pawnee Park, Columbus; and Stolley Park, Grand Island.

This year's program will be sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Go to negpp.org for more information.