MoPac Trail facts for kids
The MoPac Trail is a super cool path in Nebraska that used to be a railroad! It's now a great place for biking, horseback riding, and walking. This trail stretches for about 26 miles (42 kilometers) from Lincoln, Nebraska, all the way to Wabash, Nebraska.
History of the MoPac Trail
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The land where the MoPac Trail now sits was once part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. This railway line was called the Omaha Belt Line and was used until 1984.
In 1989, the city of Lincoln bought a 4-mile (6.4 km) part of the old railroad land. This section is inside the city limits. Just two years later, in 1991, two groups bought even more of the old railway. These groups were the Nebraska Trails Foundation and the Great Plains Trail Network. They bought another 22 miles (35 km) of the corridor. This longer part is often called the MoPac East Trail.
The ownership of this land was then given to the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District. The MoPac East section officially opened in 1994. It is also a part of a much bigger national trail system called the American Discovery Trail.
Future Plans for the Trail
There are exciting plans to make the MoPac Trail even longer! To the west, there's a plan to connect it with other trails. These trails are near the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus.
To the east, the MoPac Trail might connect to a trail near Omaha. This future path would cross over the Platte River close to South Bend, Nebraska. As of 2010, part of this eastern extension was finished. It goes from Springfield on Nebraska Highway 50 towards the Platte River. The bridge for bikes and walkers across the Platte River is also complete. However, the trail currently stops on the west side of the river. This means there's a small gap in the trail from Wabash to South Bend.
Exploring the MoPac Trail
The MoPac Trail passes through several towns. These communities are listed from west to east:
The main starting point for the MoPac East section is in Lincoln. You can find it two blocks south of 84th and O Street. The first 6 miles (9.7 km) of the trail are paved, which is great for smooth rides. The rest of the trail is made of crushed limestone. This surface is also good for biking, walking, and horseback riding.
