Brand new mile markers have been installed every half mile along Lincoln’s MoPac trail, stretching over 20 miles from the 84th Street trail head into the community of Wabash in Cass County.
The old wooden signs, many of of them rotten or broken, were over 30-years-old and appeared only every mile. The new signs, resembling the metal mile-makers which line highways and interstates, are doubled in frequency, reflective, and easy-to-read
Lower Platte South Natural Resource District (LPSNRD) General Manager Mike Sousek says this revamp was frequently requested by trail-enthusiasts.
“People like to know how far they need to go or how far they’ve went. We’re also looking at this as another safety measure. Should something happen on the trail, people can give us a better location. If a rescue is needed or if assistance is needed, we can find them easier,” said Sousek.
While the signage will appear uniform, there is a marked differentiation between the parts of the trail owned by the City of Lincoln and LPSNRD.
Funding was provided by two grants — $10,000 from Rails to Trails Conservancy and $10,000 from Eastern Nebraska Trails Network — secured by a coalition local of trail advocacy groups, the “MoPac Alliance.” This group, established in 2019, is comprised of the Nebraska Trails Foundation, Great Plains Trails Network and Bike Walk Nebraska.
The ultimate goal of the MoPac alliance is to connect the cities of Lincoln and Omaha through this trail. Once the “MoPac gap” is completed, additional markers will be added all the way to the Lied Bridge — which crosses over the Platte River near the village of South Bend, Nebraska.
Sousek says MoPac will likely not be the last trail they update with new signage.
“The district is always considering new signage and what we can do to improve the experience of the users. Whether it’s a kiosk describing what you’re seeing out there in nature, or mile markers to have you understand where you are, or whether it’s signs that honor the many volunteers who support these trails, it’s a way to provide people an opportunity to connect with nature.”