May 2019 • Nebraskaland 53
Since water filled Johnson Lake in 1941, its 900 cabins
have been popular among fishermen, boaters, campers, and
family gatherings. Over the years, biking groups formed to
ride the 10-mile loop on shared public roads.
About 25 years ago, a couple's group called the "South Side
Riders" included Larry Roper, superintendent of the lake's
state recreation area. He and fellow riders held a common
vision for a dedicated concrete hiking and biking trail that
would stretch all around the lake.
Roper became a moving force for the construction of the
first 1.1-mile segment in the park, costing $370,000 and
paid by Federal Highway Funds administered through the
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. It was dedicated in
July of 2005 in his memory.
The vision lay dormant for several years until a bike and
vehicle collision. Public concern for hiking and biking safety
rose, which prompted Johnson Lake Development, Inc. – the local
cabin owners' association – to form the Hike Bike Leadership
Team to plan, raise funds and construct new trail segments.
Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District
became an integral partner, since most of the trail would lie
on its property. Over the last 10 years, plans were made and
funds were raised for the construction, segment by segment.
To date, 8.5 miles of the 8-foot by 6-inch concrete trail has
been constructed, with only half a mile remaining.
The last mile, a narrow dam road, will remain a shared
road between bikes and vehicles. So far the trails team has
raised $1.2 million in donations and the Central Nebraska
Public Power and Irrigation District has contributed
$500,000 in support, in addition to preparing the trail beds
and constructing the canal bridge crossing.
As neighborhood associations joined the cause, they have
added 21 landscaped rest areas, adding a park-like atmosphere
with benches, trees, gazebos and arches. Johnson Lake Trails
is becoming one of the state's premier biking destinations,
easily reached within a half day's drive. One recent trail
event brought in participants from 27 different counties. And
the numbers are increasing!
JOHNSON LAKE TRAILS
By Chuck Olsen, Paid Advertisement
PHOTO
COURTESY
OF
CHUCK
OLSEN
