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Parks & Facilities

With over 6,000 acres of parks and natural land within 166 parks, 183 miles of trails, nine public pools, six recreation centers, five city golf courses, and Pioneers Park Nature Center, Parks and Recreation really is FUNdamental to our quality of life in Lincoln. Our department also manages a total of 164 park units within Lancaster County.

Parks A to Z

We enjoy 166 parks in Lincoln with more than half of them identified as neighborhood and mini-parks.

10-Year Facilities Plan

The facilities plan identifies anticipated repair and replacement projects to keep parks and recreation facilities in good repair and operating condition, and the development of new neighborhood parks and trails to keep pace with community growth. The plan is updated every two years in advance of the City biennial budget preparation process and guides the development of CIP funding requests.

Disc Golf Courses

Flying discs, baskets, and beautiful park spaces. Grab your bag and a friend to play some of our courses.

Dog Runs

Lincoln currently has four public dog runs for our canine friends to enjoy. Three of the areas have been recently renovated to successfully open a dog run in each quadrant of the city.

Golf

Lincoln Parks and Recreation maintains five public golf courses, each offering a unique experience. Whether you like tree-lined fairways and water hazards, or a links style course, we’ve got a course that’s sure to challenge you.

Pioneers Park Nature Center

Welcome to Pioneers Park Nature Center! Come walk the trails through our prairie, meet our exhibit animals, listen to the birds in our bird garden, relax on one of our benches, treat yourself to the smells of our herb garden, dig in the natural play area, or learn from our exhibits.

Public Pools

Learn more about Lincoln's outdoor pools.

Parks and Recreation Projects

Every year, Parks and Recreation are involved in the planning, design, and construction of many different types of projects in our parks and facilities. We’ve partnered with other federal, state, and local agencies as well as private neighborhood and community groups on various projects.

Public Art

Public art is everywhere in Lincoln including our parks. It can take the form of murals, sculptures, and architectural work created by artists from around the world.

Public Gardens

Lincoln is home to several public display gardens, each with something special to see.

Recreation Centers

A variety of fitness, leisure interest, human service and youth development programs are offered at Lincoln’s six recreation centers. We also provide adaptive recreation programs to youth and adults.

Reservations

Parks & Recreation's historic buildings, shelters, and parks are great locations for weddings, business meetings, family reunions and more. These beautiful venues are available for events of 75 to 350 people.

Saline Wetlands

Wetlands are among some of the most productive ecosystems in the world, providing several key functions, or ecological services, that both directly and indirectly affect wildlife, the environment, and the human sector.

Tennis and Pickleball

Tennis and pickleball courts are throughout Lincoln. Some courts are striped for either or both sports.

Trails

Each year about a million “treks” happen on Lincoln’s 183 miles of trails. With over 144 miles of hard surface and crushed rock trails, almost 27 miles of paved park trails, and Wilderness Park's unpaved 39 miles you can get just about anywhere you want to go using both on and off-street routes. There are also several miles of hiker/biker trails within our parks making our system top-notch.

Play Tobacco Free

Play at Lincoln Parks & Recreation areas tobacco free!

Providing quality outdoor recreational parks, facilities and activities for area residents has long been a priority for the City of Lincoln and many private partner organizations. Beginning November 1, 2012, residents will enjoy playing tobacco-free in most of the park areas and facilities owned and managed by the City of Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department. The primary purpose of the new policy is to protect children from the potential dangers of secondhand smoke while at play in City parks. The policy also provides adults the opportunity to be nontobacco using role models to youth on ball fields, in skate parks, and on playgrounds. The policy prohibits use of any form of tobacco products, i.e., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chew or dip in any park areas or facilities designated as tobacco-free. This is a Parks and Recreation Department policy which will be self-enforced by park users. Although police and/or Park’s staff may ask the tobacco user to stop using tobacco products or leave the park property, tickets will not be issued. The intent is that residents willingly respect the policy and not use tobacco while enjoying Lincoln’s excellent parks and recreation areas. Tobacco-free park areas will be clearly identified by “Play Tobacco-free” signs. Specific park areas designated as tobacco-free include: playgrounds, skate parks, picnic shelters, swimming pools and splash parks including bathhouses and parking lots, Jim Ager (youth) Golf Course, ball fields and multi-use sports fields including concession buildings and surrounding areas, and the fenced area of Pinewood Bowl with the exception of a designated smoking area.

While this policy was established to enhance the public’s health, it also decreases litter in the parks and reduces risk of fire caused by discarded cigarette butts.

Tobacco-Free Facilities

Playgrounds, picnic shelters and skate parks
Outdoor swimming pools and aquatics facilities, including bathhouses and parking areas
Jim Ager Golf Course
Ball fields and multi-use sports fields, including concession buildings and surrounding areas
Outdoor performance venues during community performances and events, including the Sheldnik Bandshell and the Dinsmore Graf Amphitheater
The fenced area of Pinewood Bowl (a designated smoking area is allowed during events with adult audiences)
Pioneers Park Nature Center, including buildings and grounds

Facilities not affected by the Tobacco-Free Policy: Trails, dog runs, 18 hole golf courses and any green space located in areas defined as parkland when not used for organized contracted events.

Be sure to check out Tobacco Free Lancaster count coalition for more information.

3131 O Street, Suite 300
Lincoln, NE 68510
402.441.7847 (office)
parks@lincoln.ne.gov