Max E. Roper Park- West

In the early 1960s, a park that stretches adjacent to I-180 and perpendicular to Adams Street was created. It served the Belmont and West Lincoln communities, and served as a beautiful landscape when entering Lincoln on I-180. This park was aptly named Interstate Park. As the Belmont area grew in population, Interstate Park was a haven for families along with students at nearby Belmont Elementary and West Lincoln Elementary schools. 

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Interstate Park was continuously beautified and improved, with multiple tree plantings and constant improvements from the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department. In 1967, Lincoln was projected to grow exponentially in the area near Belmont and West Lincoln, and the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director, Jim Ager, made improvements to Interstate Park a priority due to this projected growth. 

Eventually Interstate Park became more accommodating to a diverse range of recreation activities, from picnic areas and walking trails to snowmobile tracks and Frisbee golf. Even though ideas of recreation and relaxation changed throughout the years, Max E. Roper helped oversee the city’s parks and recreation operations as a citizen volunteer. In 1946, Roper was appointed to the City Recreation Advisory Board, which was later merged to create the City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. During Roper’s 31 years on the Advisory Board, he aided in the acquisition of acres and acres of park land, including Holmes, Mahoney Wilderness, and Interstate Parks. Roper believed that the parks system was an essential part of any city, but especially a place of growth like Lincoln. 

Roper passed away in February of 1993. After decades of service to the Parks and Recreation Department, Lincoln City Council unanimously voted to rename Interstate Park after the devoted city volunteer. The park was officially renamed Max E. Roper Park in May of 1993. Today, Roper Park serves a variety of interests, just as it did in Roper’s time as a volunteer for the city’s parks. While snowmobile tracks have gone by the wayside, Frisbee golf, walking trails, and picnic shelters are still popular options for activities. A new dog park was erected in the area to replace the nearby Oak Creek Dog Park. Roper Park still serves as a beautiful corridor along Adams Streets and I-180, welcoming any visitors to Lincoln, along with providing a haven for community members in the Belmont and West Lincoln areas. 

https://www.pdga.com/course-directory/course/max-e-roper-interstate-park 

Course Details

Roper 1

5th and Judson

Capacity: 32

Hours: 8 am-2 pm, 4 pm-10 pm OR full day from 7am-11pm

Fee: $60 for a single block or $120 for full day

No electricity

Key required to access restrooms

Roper 2

3rd and Fairfield

Capacity: 64

Hours: 8 am-2 pm, 4 pm-10 pm OR full day from 7am-11pm

Fee: $60 for a single block or $120 for full day

 Responsibilities During Rental:

• Set up for your event during the allotted reservation time.
• Supervise your group during reservation.
• Observe city ordinances and Parks and Recreation policies.
• Adhere to the times requested and approved on your shelter reservation application.
• Leave the building clean and in good condition according to the cleaning guidelines within the allotted reservation time.

Important Things to Remember:

• Absolutely no alcohol is allowed in any city park.
• No smoking is allowed in any park facility. Please observe designated “Play Tobacco Free” areas.
•  No collection of money is allowed at your event without a “Permit to Conduct Business” to collect money (this includes free will donations). If you are wanting to sell items at your event, please see page 5 on “Special Use Permits”.
• City of Lincoln park hours are from 5:00am-11:00pm.
• All rentals must have their space clean and equipment put away at the end of your rental period.

Do I get exclusive use of the park when I make my reservation?

No. Since city parks are considered public property, it is illegal to bar the public from entering the park during your reserved time. By making a reservation at a city park for your event, you are ensuring that you will be the only reservation allowed in that area at the time. While the public are encouraged to be conscientious of the reserved space, you are not allowed to kick them out of the park for your time period.

How far in advance are reservations made?

Dates may be reserved up to one year in advance. Include the date and time of requested use when making a reservation. When making a reservation, be sure to include time to set up and clean up, as you are only allowed in the shelter for the allotted time you requested.

Key, Damage, and Cleaning

All deposits must be provided in either cash or check, as they are refundable if everything is found clean and in order after your event, there are no alcoholic beverages in the park, and you are only in the space for your allotted time period. We do not accept credit card deposit payments. 

Damage deposits cover three categories: Key Deposits, Damage Deposits, and Cleaning Deposits. If the key is not returned, if there is damage done to the space, and/or the space is not cleaned when Parks staff arrive following your event, you will be subject to penalization or suspension of your account.

All deposits are required for Enclosed Shelters, Weddings, Special Use Locations, and some Open Shelters. While keys are not required in most open shelters, if you would like electricity, you will need a key to open the electrical box.

In order to drop off your deposit you will need to come into the Parks and Recreation Administration Office during the time listed below for your subsequent shelter.

Additional information

Please check with our Administration Office staff and District Supervisors to help direct you to designated areas in outdoor wedding venues.