J-lake Trail Extended

Post date: Apr 28, 2011 9:31:20 PM

Johnson Lake Trail extension complete and ready for use

• HARRY G. PERKINS, Kearney Hub, Published: Friday, April 22, 2011 11:58 AM CDT

JOHNSON LAKE - The directors of Johnson Lake Development were told Tuesday the extension of Mattson Trail has been paved to its southern end and is ready for use. Trail Committee member Ron Fowler said volunteers will have a cleanup day at 9:30 a.m. April 30 starting at Drive 19B on the west side of the lake. The trail and extension are named for the late Paul Mattson.

The extension, Fowler said, is 0.7 mile and makes the full length of the Mattson Trail 2.1 miles. The trailhead starts at the inlet campground and follows the irrigation canal. Signs have been posted along the road over the dam identifying the trail for motorists as a shared road. A second trail at the lake, the Larry Roper Trail, was completed in 2005 and can be accessed from Johnson Lake Drive.

Fowler said a rest stop is planned on the trail, and funds have been provided by Buzz's Marine of Kearney for construction of an eight-sided gazebo. Assistance has also come from Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District. Individual donations have been made and $25,000 was donated by the Lexington Foundation.

Also Tuesday, the group discussed the Johnson Lake Development golf tournament planned for May 22. The tournament will be a scramble for three-man teams with a limit of 36 teams.

Tom Mooberry, chairman of the tournament, said Plum Creek Motors of Lexington will offer a new car as a prize for a hole-in-one. Flag and door prizes also will be offered. The cost per team is $150, which also buys a steak dinner. Proceeds will be donated to the Chapel of The Lake.

Rod Reynolds said this year's Light Up The Lake fireworks display will be July 3. He estimated $5,000 to $6,000 will be spent on the 30-minute display.

Jack Wieland said the dump for grass, leaves and tree branches will begin observing summer hours May 1. Those hours are from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Dump cards required for use of the site will be included in the quarterly newsletter to be mailed soon.