Eugene T. Mahoney State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eugene T. Mahoney State Park |
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Platte River from the observation tower
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| Location | Cass County, Nebraska, United States |
| Nearest city | Ashland, Nebraska |
| Area | 673.101 acres (272.394 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,191 ft (363 m) |
| Established | 1985 |
| Administered by | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission |
| Visitors | 827,372 (in 2018) |
| Designation | Nebraska state park |
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is a super fun place for families and friends to visit in Nebraska! It's located right next to the Platte River, near a town called Ashland. This park is packed with cool things to do, like swimming, boating, and exploring nature. You can even stay overnight in cabins or a lodge. There's also a tall observation tower where you can see amazing views of the river valley.
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Discovering Eugene T. Mahoney State Park's Past
This awesome park started to be built in 1985. It officially opened its doors to visitors in 1991. The park was named after a very important person named Eugene T. Mahoney.
Who Was Eugene T. Mahoney?
Eugene T. Mahoney was a former state senator. A state senator is a person elected by citizens to help make laws for their state. He was also the director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for a long time. This commission helps manage and protect Nebraska's parks and wildlife.
Mahoney is famous for helping to make Nebraska's state parks much better. Before he took charge, many parks were not doing well. Thanks to his hard work, they became popular places for people to visit again. The park even uses the Mahoney family symbol as its own. Some of the cabins in the park are named after Ireland's County Cork. This is where the Mahoney family originally came from.
Exciting Activities and Fun at the Park
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers tons of activities for everyone. You can find something fun to do no matter the season!
Outdoor Adventures and Sports
The park has many ways to enjoy the outdoors. You can have a picnic with your family or hike on the trails. If you like horses, you can even go on horseback trail rides! For those who love water, there's a marina where you can rent paddleboats. You can also try fishing in the water.
Sports lovers will find plenty to do. There's an 18-hole disc golf course, tennis courts, and basketball courts. You can also play softball or sand volleyball. In 2018, the park added a cool high-ropes adventure course outdoors. There's also a 42-foot climbing wall and a bouldering area inside the activity center.
Winter Wonderland Fun
When winter arrives, the park transforms into a snowy playground. You can go cross-country skiing or enjoy sledding and toboggan runs. If the ice is thick enough, you can even try ice fishing. There's also an ice skating rink for gliding around.
Year-Round Indoor Fun
No matter the weather, there's always something to do indoors. The park has an activity center with an indoor playground. You can also try out fun activity simulators. These indoor options are open all year long.
Staying Overnight at the Park
If you want to stay longer, the park has great places to sleep. You can rent cozy cabins for your family. There are also spots for tent camping and RVs. The Peter Kiewit Lodge offers 40 guest rooms. It also has conference rooms and a restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat.
