It has been a busy year at the NRD’s recreation areas. There have been improvements for safety, accessibility, and overall public enjoyment, across all of the NRDs parks.

In March 2024, tornado sirens were added to four of the Upper Big Blue NRD’s recreation areas for added safety for campers. These sirens were funded in large part through a grant from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. As originally identified in the 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan created by the NRD, sirens have now been installed at Smith Creek, Bruce L. Anderson, Pioneer Trails, and Oxbow Trail Recreation Areas.

Smith Creek Recreation Area (Utica) has seen recent equipment additions and upgrades. Eagle Scout Jayden Butzke, with a little help from his scout troop, added four benches around the lake in September 2023. In June 2024, upgrades to the park continued when old playground equipment and a deteriorating picnic shelter were replaced. A number of mature trees were planted in the park area to replace older, damaged trees The Smith Creek site is a favorite facility for those looking for a free place to camp close to Interstate 80. It is also a regular stopping place for local scout groups. Throughout the summer months, the campgrounds tend to be very busy. Even through the colder weather, there is a significant amount of use at this facility.

Water quality has been poor (high turbidity and sediment load) for a number of years at Bruce L. Anderson Recreation Area (York), which detracts from the fishery as well as general user experience. In early 2024, the Board of Directors began discussing opportunities for improvement to the lake. A study by the Flatwater Group looking at in-lake best management practices was conducted and presented to the board in May 2024. Discussions for improvement of the lake are ongoing. 

Overland Trail Recreation Area (York) has undergone a significant transformation. For decades, it has been a minimally developed nature area. In 2023, the parking lot was enlarged and improved with crushed rock. Power was run to the site to add security lighting and a domestic well. New signage was also added. In summer 2024, vault toilets were added. ADA parking stalls and sidewalks will be added in late summer/fall of 2024 to increase accessibility. Future plans may include adding a picnic shelter.

Oxbow Trail Recreation Area (Ulysses) saw the addition of a domestic well in 2023 and a supply well to supplement the natural spring fed lake in 2024. The addition of the supply well was taken to ensure the continued success of the fishery, which is often recognized as being one of the best in the area.

At the recommendation of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, the Pioneer Trails Recreation Area  (Aurora) shoreline, south of the boat ramp was cut back and re-sloped to improve access for bank fishing in spring 2023. In March 2024, a prescribed burn was conducted on seven acres of prairie at the recreation area. According to the US Forest Service, this practice has many benefits. It reduces hazardous fuels, protecting human communities from extreme fires; minimizes the spread of pest insects and disease; removes unwanted species that threaten species native to an ecosystem; provides forage for game; improves habitat for threatened and endangered species; recycles nutrients back to the soil; and promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants.