Van Dorn Park Natural Surface Trail Maintenance

MEDIA RELEASE: Van Dorn Park Natural Surface Trail Maintenance

Lincoln, NE — July 24, 2026 — Trails Have Our Respect (THOR) will have its professional Trail Crew perform scheduled trail tread maintenance—approved by Lincoln Parks & Recreation—on select sections of natural surface trail at Van Dorn Park in Lincoln during late July and early August 2026.

The work will focus on environmental sustainability and the user experience for all trail users—including newer riders and youth mountain bike program participants—and will take place entirely within existing trail corridors and areas. Existing trail tread will be refurbished, and any alignment adjustments made for sustainability or trail intent within those corridors will not impact existing trees. Where necessary, segments of trail tread may be renaturalized to match the park's existing character.

The work to be performed is in line with, and supported by, THOR's 10+ year collaboration with the City of Lincoln, its Van Dorn Park Maintenance Agreement with Lincoln Parks & Recreation, and feedback from community members and youth mountain biking programs. It also reflects the intent of the trail as identified through community input gathered as part of Lincoln Parks & Recreation's Van Dorn Park planning efforts, including the  Mountain Bike Facilities Master Plan, Mountain Bike Community Survey, and Singletrack Trails Improvements & Features Guidelines.

Over the course of the maintenance window, the trail will remain largely accessible, with only individual sections temporarily signed and closed. THOR's Trail Crew will be on site with clearly marked vehicles and tools, including small mechanized earth-moving equipment. For your safety, please do not enter work areas until Trail Work is completed and signage has been removed.

Trails Have Our Respect is the regional non-profit professional organization with a mission to create and share the natural surface trail experience across the State of Nebraska, Western Iowa, and Southeast South Dakota. Founded in 1996, THOR provides advocacy, education, development, maintenance, operations, and stewardship with a team of nearly 20 professionals in partnership with Nebraska Game & Parks, dozens of communities including all major population centers, the International Mountain Bicycling Association, and thousands of community advocates and volunteers. For questions, please get in touch with Trails Have Our Respect: info@thortrails.org