FUNDS BEING COLLECTED FOR TRAIL

Post date: Feb 14, 2010 12:43:21 AM

With winter halting physical work, J. Lake fundraisers busy finding money

Photo by: Harry Perkins, Kearney Hub

A hiker’s tracks are the only evidence of activity on the

hike and bike trail at Johnson Lake. But while construction

awaits warmer weather, work on fundraising continues.

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By HARRY G. PERKINS Hub Regional Correspondent, Feb. 13, 2010, Keaney Hub on line at: http://www.kearneyhub.com

JOHNSON LAKE — The arrival of winter’s worst halted construction on the new Johnson Lake hike and bike trail, but work continues.

Construction of the trail on the west side of the lake was within 100 yards of completion when the weather forced workers to stop.

The trail will be named the Paul Matson Memorial Trail to honor the man who spearheaded the drive for funds for the trail on the east side of the lake.

Matson died of cancer last year.

The only sign of activity on the trail now are a hiker’s tracks, evidence some soul braved the cold and snow.

Allen McClure, a retired banker from West Point, is serving as chairman for the trail.

“We’re reaching out for additional financial support. Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District has provided a gift of $158,000,” he said.

“We want lake people to contribute, but we don’t want to deprive our friends in the area from participating in the final push for completion. All contributions are welcome.”

Jackie Berke of the Lexington Foundation says the trail needs at least $30,000 to reach its goal of $250,000. The foundation has contributed $25,000.

McClure says the funds are needed to complete construction and provide seed money for the next phase.

“The rest of the funding will cover the balance of the construction cost, develop the trail head and rest area facilities, landscaping and signage.”

The trail starts at the bridge over Central’s E-65 canal, the main lifeline to its irrigation customers in its three-county area to the east. It follows the canal to the southwest corner of the lake.

The next phase has yet to be engineered, but the intent is to pass over the dam to the swimming beach at the southeast corner of the lake. At that point, it will hook up with the Larry Roper Trail.

That trail was named for the man who managed the state parks for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and charted the one mile trail through the main park. It has been in continuous use through the winter season.

Landscaping along the Matson trail is being done as a project by the horticulture class at the Curtis Tech College. Assisting in the planning, McClure said, is John Thorburn, general manager of Tri-Basin Natural Resources District at Holdrege.

McClure said people in the Pelican Bay and Bass Bay areas have expressed interest in being part of the trail.

A major problem will be connecting the inlet and outlet canal. When those connections can be mastered, the hike and bike trail could encircle the lake.

Contribution levels have been established. Donors of $10,000 or more will be recognized as a Trailblazer, with an honor plaque at one of the rest areas.

Those donate $5,000 or more will be recognized as an Explorer with an honor plaque set on a donor stone along the trail.

Donations of $2,000 to $4,999 will be honored with a plaque on one of the benches in the rest areas. Donors of $1,000 to $1,999, to be known as a Hiker, will have their name included on the inlet trailhead sign.

Those who contribute $100 can have their name or a message cast in Nebraska-shaped bricks which will be inlaid into the rest areas.

McClure says donations should be made to the Lexington Foundation. “Contributions will be going to the right place and will be taken care of,” he said.