Motocross Project

Several years ago, the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD) and Lancaster County were requested to assist a private effort to construct a motocross/All-Terrain Vehicle facility project. The facility is to be constructed on land owned by the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation and the Lincoln Sports Foundation (LSF) near the Abbott Sports Complex. More specifically, this is located south of Arbor Road on the west side of Salt Creek, east of 70th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. It is expected the track layout and parking lot will be contained within 40 acres.

The two agencies mentioned above have been co-applicants on Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants for the project in 2005, 2006 and 2007. RTP funds are federal monies available through the Federal Highway Administration to be used by the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. One of the requirements for application of an RTP grant is a political subdivision (LPSNRD and Lancaster County) must act as a sponsor(s) of the grant. Through a Cooperative Agreement, the LPSNRD, Lancaster County, Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation and the Lincoln Sports Foundation have formed a partnership to attain the goal of building this facility. In addition, the Husker Off-Road Club has been very instrumental in providing advice and resources to this project.

In the state of Nebraska, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is charged with administering RTP grants. An advisory committee has been established to allocate funds to grant applicants. Due to the anticipated expense and phases of this project, the RTP advisory committee agreed to set-a-side funds for this project. Funds awarded thus far include $255,100 in 2006 and $150,000 for 2007. Total set-a-side funds remaining are $300,000.

Final design engineering of the project is expected to be completed by fall of 2008. Construction of the facility is to include the development of the of the 1.5 mile motocross/ATV track, construction of a berm surrounding the track area, construction of a 55-stall parking lot and construction of an access drive to facility. It is hopeful construction would begin in late 2008/early 2009.

Shown above is a conceptual design of the facility that was submitted with the grant application.