30 Nebraskaland • May 2020
During an Outdoor Discover day, a student grabs a fish to the excitement of his
peers.
never feel overwhelmed at Platte
River State Park. Whether there
are thousands of kids attending
an Outdoor Discovery day or just
a few vehicles, I can always take a
deep, relaxing breath whenever I pull
into the park. Located three miles
from Louisville – between Omaha and
Lincoln – the park is a welcomed break
from city life. It off ers both family-
friendly attractions and solace in its 450
acres, even on the busiest of weekends.
I love playing with my kids at the
spray park, and I could watch them
for hours exploring at Crawdad Creek.
When I can visit alone, fl y-fi shing at
Jenny Newman Lake keeps me coming
back, while solo hikes through the
woods have been inspiration for many
photographs. I've enjoyed climbing the
observation tower to view the forest
and Platte River from afar, and also
walking to Decker Creek to see both
up close. The Roger G. Sykes Outdoor
Heritage Education Complex is where
I go to learn something new, while my
need to get away has led me wandering
to a quiet bench near a waterfall. I
like options when I'm outdoors, and
Platte River State Park continues to
deliver. The park's newest attraction
is a 4.5-mile addition to its trail
system, fortifying an already-popular
destination for mountain bikers in
eastern Nebraska.
It's your choice, whatever you decide
to do fi rst. Your fi rst deep breath will
surely be unique from mine.
N
P l a t t e R i v e r
S t a t e Pa r k
Take a Deep Breath
Story and photos by Jeff Kurrus
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