Lincoln (NE) August 29, 2019 – The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD) has closed a portion of its Oak Creek Recreational Trail (including the equestrian trail), one mile west of Valparaiso, due to excessive stream erosion. LPSNRD Resources Conservationist Ariana Kennedy said, “The decision to close the trail until a solution is planned and constructed was based on safety concerns for trail users.”

The entire mile between county roads 29 and 30 has been closed, but the first mile west of the Valparaiso trailhead remains open. Oak Creek Trail users are encouraged to utilize trailheads at Loma or Brainard. Kennedy said streambank erosion has occurred very close to the trail surface, leaving a significant and abrupt drop to the stream below. 

The 13-mile crushed limestone-surfaced Oak Creek Trail stretching between Valparaiso and Brainard opened in 1996. The NRD is in the process of hiring an engineer to develop options for stabilizing the trail. Kennedy said, “There does not appear to be a quick fix for the erosion problem.”