BEATRICE – It was a triple-header of ribbon cuttings in a southeast Nebraska city on Thursday.


Beatrice and Gage County celebrated three new recreational additions to the community. One is the Gage County Foundation Trail Depot…named for a major donation of funds through the Gage County Foundation. Organization President Don Vetrovsky says it’s one of several nice projects in the community.


"What an addition to the community to have this here in this location. It's just gorgeous. On behalf of the foundation, we're proud to be part of it...proud that the city allowed us to put our name to it as part of the city and county."  The trailhead features a paved parking area, restroom facilities a Chief Standing Bear Trail shelter, benches and plantings. A sign located by the highway calls attention to the depot.


Nearby is one of several bicycle repair stations that have been built along the city’s trail system. Installation of the repair stations was a project of a Leadership Beatrice Class with the Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce. Adam Frerichs, who was part of the sixteenth leadership class said the project included the stations, map signs and a larger sign telling about the addition.

One of bike repair stations on the trail system
One of bike repair stations on the trail system  

 
"We were able to take advantage of some grants out there in the community. We had a good experience and learned a lot about the community. Hopefully all of us will be able to take part in things like this in the future. There are seven repair stations throughout town now, and a big sign. Hopefully in the future, that opens possibilities for more to be added."


A third recreation site is the new canoe and kayak launch area along the Big Blue River, next to the West Court Street bridge. That project involved building a ramp to the river to allow easy access for water recreation fans.  Main Street Beatrice worked with the City of Beatrice on an access that is the starting point for a float trip to a point at Holmesville. Main Street Executive Director Michael Sothan said, "There, the Beatrice Boat and RV Club is allowing us to exit at their ramp at Holmesville. Depending on the flow of the water...when there's normal flows...it usually takes three to seven hours, depending on how much paddling and the direction the wind is going. It can take a little planning but it can really be a lot of fun."

Launch area along Big Blue River
Launch area along Big Blue River  

Along with that project, Beatrice City Engineer James Burroughs says Lottman Excavation and Tiemann Construction were also able to shore up a nearby area prone to erosion and help prepare for installation of a check valve.


"As everybody knows, Beatrice floods....and the idea with this check valve it will hopefully eliminate some of the flooding you see happening up on Court Street. Hopefully we'll be able to keep the road open for a longer period of time. We currently have a project out right now, where we have some signage coming for the low-head dam, that will provide some safety factor around the low-head dam, as well."


The City of Beatrice hopes to tap grant funds to possible remove the low-head dam on the river, in the future.