Ribbon Cutting for Wilderness Park Bridge set for May 28
Published on May 28, 2025
The Parks and Recreation Department and the Great Plains Trails Network (GPTN) invite community members to a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 28. Attendees are asked to meet on the on the GPTN Connector Bridge at the intersection of the Rock Island Trail and Jamaica North Trail. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided.
“This project was identified as a high priority in the 2021 Wilderness Park Master Plan, based on public input regarding park priorities and is truly an exciting enhancement for our park visitors,” said Allison Speicher, Parks and Recreation Trails and Natural Resources Coordinator. “The upgrades make Wilderness Park more welcoming and accessible for everyone and ensures that all visitors can enjoy a safer, more inclusive experience as they explore the beauty of the park.”
The former railroad trestle bridge between Wilderness Park trail markers 50 and 51 had been under renovations since May 2024 and now connects the Rock Island Trail at Densmore Park to Wilderness Park. Improvements include new concrete decking, railings, and a quarter mile of connecting trail through Wilderness Park.
The $621,000 project was funded by a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, and from partners including the Great Plains Trails Network, the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, and the Run for the Bridges event. GPTN provided $140,000 for Wilderness Park trail improvement, and $100,836 for the Salt Creek Bridge renovation.
At 1,472 acres, Wilderness Park is Lincoln’s largest park extending south from Van Dorn Street to Saltillo Road between U.S. Highway 77 and the BNSF Railway in southwest Lincoln. Originally established for flood storage along Salt Creek, the park serves as a conservation area, home to a variety of plant and animal species, and features over 30 miles of multi-use trails.
For more information about Wilderness Park, visit lincoln.ne.gov/Wilderness. For more information about Lincoln’s Trails System, visit GPTN.