OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Recreation improvements have come to Glenn Cunningham Lake. City officials gave an update today and said the project will cost $15 million...at no cost to the city thanks to private donations.
The lake was originally drained back in 2018, due to a high number of zebra mussels and common carp. In April, there was a second drawdown of the reservoir due to high water runoff. The goal of that drawdown was to expose mussels to freezing temperatures and dry them out while eliminating carp to improve the fishery.
Mayor Jean Stothert, City of Omaha Parks & Recreation Director Brooke Bench and the Army Corps of Engineers District Engineer Colonel John Hudson said the lake will undergo the following upgrades:
- Addition of a nearly 6-mile multipurpose trail
- Addition of a 4-mile equestrian nature trail
- New RV campground with 42 pads
- Upgrades to the existing campgrounds
- Connecting Lake Cunningham trails to the Keystone Trail near Democracy Park at 90th and Fort
Colonel Hudson says the upgrades coming to the lake have been in the works since 1975 when the Corps leased the lake to the City. With the private donations, they say their original vision will become a reality.
In regards to a timeline...construction will begin next month, during which the park will be closed, and will hopefully finish in the fall of 2020.
Colonel Hudson says recreation areas like Cunningham Lake are important to connect people with the outdoors and of course to help with flood control.
