Dream of Grand Island state park getting closer to reality

A former Boy Scout camp is getting closer to becoming Nebraska’s next state park.

The Grand Island City Council will vote Tuesday on a resolution approving the potential sale of Camp Augustine to the state.

Under terms of the deal, the two sides will sign a memorandum of understanding allowing either the Nebraska Game and Parks Department or the Game and Parks Foundation to buy the camp at whatever its appraised value is determined to be.

Grand Island bought the 156-acre camp in 2023 for $2 million and then developed a master plan for up to $45 million in improvements, including expanded hiking and biking trails, river access and campgrounds

Earlier this year, the Nebraska Legislature approved a resolution to allow the camp to be integrated with nearby Mormon Island State Recreation Area to create what would be just the state’s ninth state park. No timetable has been given for development of the land into a state park.

Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele declined to comment on the proposal ahead of the council meeting, but in materials included in the agenda, he said the deal will be, “truly transformational for our City and for the great State of Nebraska."

Officials from Game and Parks could not be reached for comment.