The City of Lincoln is moving forward with a major conservation and recreation effort following the acquisition of nearly 100 acres of land southwest of Pioneers Park, a key step in advancing the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch project.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross announced the purchase on Thursday, which will help extend the long-term vision of a continuous trail and prairie conservation area connecting Pioneers Park Nature Center to the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center.
City leaders say the acquisition supports efforts to expand outdoor recreation, protect natural resources, and strengthen flood resilience. “By advancing the Prairie Corridor, we create more opportunities for residents and visitors to hike, bike, explore nature, and experience the beautiful landscape that shapes our region’s identity,” Gaylor Baird says.
“We protect vital natural resources that improve water quality and help reduce flood risks downstream. And we preserve an important part of Nebraska’s natural heritage for future generations.” When complete, the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch will span about 7,400 acres of tallgrass prairie stretching from the Pioneers Park Nature Center to the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, south of Denton.
Plans include a 14.5-mile multi-use trail, restoration of nearly 2,000 acres of prairie, and preservation of about 3,400 acres of native grassland. The newly acquired Prairie Corridor Link property sits northwest of West Claire Avenue and Southwest 56th Street and will extend trail connections closer to existing trail systems in southwest Lincoln.
The $924,000 purchase was completed through a partnership between the City of Lincoln, the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, and Solidago Conservancy. “This trail will allow residents and visitors to experience this landscape firsthand, connecting people to nature, recreation, and the remarkable beauty of Nebraska’s prairie heritage,” Stuckey-Ross says.
About 70 percent of the corridor is now secured. For more details on the project click here.