Carolyn Mercer Park
Rate this placeNearby: Mercer Park Bemis Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Carolyn Mercer Park is a scenic park located in the state of Nebraska, known for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
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Summary
The park offers visitors a variety of activities such as hiking, fishing, boating, and picnicking. It is a great place to visit for people of all ages, including families with kids.
One of the main highlights of Carolyn Mercer Park is its beautiful lake, which covers an area of 42 acres and is stocked with a variety of fish species. Visitors can enjoy fishing for catfish, crappie, bluegill, and bass in the lake. The park also has a boat ramp for boating enthusiasts, and visitors can rent paddle boats and fishing boats from the park office.
Another popular attraction in Carolyn Mercer Park is its scenic hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the park's natural beauty. The trails are well-maintained and suitable for all levels of hikers. The park also has several picnic areas with tables and grills, making it an ideal place for a family picnic or a group outing.
Interesting facts about the park include its history as a former gravel pit that was transformed into a beautiful park. The park is named after Carolyn Mercer, a former Grand Island City Council member who was instrumental in the development of the park.
The best time of year to visit Carolyn Mercer Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny, and the park is bustling with activities. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy its beauty and recreational opportunities in all seasons.
In conclusion, Carolyn Mercer Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts in Nebraska. With its beautiful lake, scenic hiking trails, and picnic areas, it offers something for everyone.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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