Holmes Park & Lake - Lincoln, Nebraska - Park with a Huge Lake Featuring a Golf Course

Holmes Park & Lake is situated at S. 70th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska and is managed by the City of Lincoln, N.E Department of Parks and Recreation. The park is approximately a 25 minutes drive away from Lincoln Municipal Airport traveling via Interstate 180. The park includes a 112 acre lake located on Antelope Creek within the line of Normal Blvd along 70th.

The huge lake was created primarily for flood control on the Antelope Creek as well as providing a place of recreation for the citizens of Lincoln. This reservoir was created by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers in 1962. For a time the waters here became very cloudy due to excessive sediment and nutrient loading from large scale development throughout the area, but restoration efforts have since made the lake clearer and a haven for many varieties of fish.

The park is a beautiful place to take a picnic, walk the dog or enjoy a gentle stroll and enjoy the views of the lake, but there are many other activities visitors can participate in here. Public fishing is permitted at the lake and is a fun activity for adults and children alike with largemouth bass, carp, white perch, bluegill and catfish to be found amongst many others as well rainbow trout, which is stocked here every year in fall and winter. Alongside the lake there is a biker/hiker trail and there are plenty of picnic tables, drinking fountains, shelters and restrooms at the park too.

Sports are played at Holmes Lake Park including baseball and the ball diamond can be rented, whilst there is also a volleyball court located here too. Visitors preferring winter sports may like to try out some ice skating or perhaps sledding on the west side of the dam. Opened in 1963 the Holmes Golf Course is an 18-hole par 72 course featuring 6,805 yards of golf, a 40-tee driving range and was designed by golf course architect Floyd Farley

One of the most popular attractions here is Hyde Observatory, which is located on the south side of the lake and is open on Saturday evenings from 7-10pm November to March and 8-11pm April to October. Entry is free and visitors can look at the night sky through three powerful telescopes and sit through two programs about astronomy or space exploration. The programs change each month and specials showing can be arranged for groups of 20 or more people during the week if two weeks notice is provided.

There are numerous places to stay in Lincoln near the park including Hampton Inn, Chase Suites by Woodfin and Comfort Suites East. Visitors looking for somewhere to have lunch or dinner can Culver's Frozen Custard at Pioneer Woods Drive or The Venue at 70th and Pioneers, both of which are within one and a half kilometers of the park. Other attractions nearby include the National Museum of Roller Skating, Folsom Children's Zoo and Botanical Gardens and the International Quilt Study center and Museum.