Officials Declare Chadron State Park Centennial A Big Success

     Nebraska Game and Parks officials were very pleased with the Chadron State Park Centennial Birthday Bash, which drew thousands of visitors to Nebraska’s first state park. 

     The Friday-Saturday celebration included the dedication of a new historical marker by the park headquarters, ribbon-cutting for a new indoor pellet gun and archery range, and about a half-hour of speeches Saturday morning.

     Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas, who is retiring in Nov after 47 years with the agency, recounted a conversation with a visitor who called the park a “powerful” place. Douglas said that after thinking about it, he understood the man’s feelings.

Another speaker was Lt Gov Mike Foley, who told KCSR/KBPY News that he always jumps at the chance to come to the Chadron area.

Foley said taking part in the Centennial Bash for Chadron State Park, which was the first 3 major events for the centennial of Game and Parks, was also meaningful for him because of the importance of the state park system.

3rd District Congressman Adrian Smith also spoke. He said afterward that it was good to get out of Washington for a non-political event.

Smith, a former Gering city council member and state senator, turned 50 last year and is in his 8th term in Congress.