Prairie Queen Recreation Area

Prairie Queen Recreation Area in north-central Sarpy County, Nebraska, about 10 miles west of downtown Omaha, was developed as both parkland and flood-control infrastructure. Opened in 2015 after groundbreaking in 2012, the project created an artificial reservoir, wetlands, fishing access, picnic areas, a boat ramp, and hike and bike paths while helping manage stormwater. Carried out through the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District with support from local public partners, it joined recreation with water management. The site’s name preserves earlier local history: the Prairie Queen one-room schoolhouse stood there from 1884 to 1957, and the building later served as the Papillion Grange Hall until 2002.

Papillion, Nebraska · United States