City of Hastings, Courtesy
HASTINGS — The City of Hastings invites the public to an open house 6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday April 9 at Lincoln Elementary to discuss updates to Phase4A of the Pioneer Spirit Trail.
No formal presentation is planned.
The City of Hastings is planning to construct an 8-to-10-foot-wide concrete trail through South Hastings from First Street and Colorado Avenue, where the city’s paved trail system currently ends, and going about 2.65 miles to connect to Carter Park, Lincoln Elementary School and Brickyard Park.
Changes have been made to the portion of the trail running through residential neighborhoods based on feedback received during a First Ward town hall meeting on Nov. 30, 2023.
A trail expansion through South Hastings has been a priority of First Ward council members for a long time. It was identified as a need in the city’s 2018/2019 walkability study.
The City of Hastings was among recipients of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s grants providing funding for the Recreational Trails Program. Hastings received $250,000 to build Phase 4A of the Pioneer Spirit Trail.
Phase 4A would be bid out summer 2024. The start of construction is dependent on the contractor’s schedule.
Connected trail upon completion of the project would total about 12.5 miles. Total constructed trail upon completion of project would total more than 15 miles.
Including the $250,000 in grant funding, total costs for Phase 4A are currently estimated to be about $3 million. Other funds for the project are coming from the City of Hastings’ half-cent sales tax collections.
