{{short description|Park in Nebraska, USA}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Eugene T. Mahoney State Park | image = Platte River.jpg | image_size = 280 | image_alt = River | image_caption = Platte River from the observation tower | map = Nebraska | map_caption = Location in Nebraska | map_size = 280 | relief = 1 | map_label = Mahoney State Park | location = Cass County, Nebraska, United States | nearest_city = Ashland, Nebraska | coordinates = {{coord|41|01|35|N|96|18|51|W|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|673.101|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name=ngpc2/> | elevation = {{convert|1191|ft|m|abbr=on}} | established = 1985<ref name=ngpc3/> | free_label = Named for | free_data = | designation = Nebraska state park | administrator = Nebraska Game and Parks Commission | visitation_num = 827,372 | visitation_year = 2018 | visitation_ref = <ref name=tourism/> | status = | website = {{Official website}} | module = }}
'''Eugene T. Mahoney State Park''' is a public recreation area located on the Platte River, off Interstate 80, approximately {{convert|4|mi|spell=in}} east of Ashland, Nebraska. The state park features lodging and conferencing facilities, an aquatic center, marina, multi-purpose trails, the Kountze Memorial Theater, multiple facilities for event rentals, and a {{convert|70|ft|adj=on}} observation tower overlooking the Platte River Valley.<ref name=ngpc/>
==History== Park development began with the state's purchase of the site in 1985. The park opened in 1991.<ref name=ngpc3/> It was named after Eugene T. Mahoney, a former state senator and long-time director of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, who is credited with reversing the fortunes of the moribund state park system during his directorship.<ref name=obit/> The park bears the Mahoney family crest as its symbol and has a loop of cabins named for Ireland's County Cork, the Mahoney family's ancestral home.
==Activities and amenities== Park features include picnicking areas and hiking trails, horseback trail rides, fishing, a marina with paddleboat rental, miniature golf, driving range, and melodramas. Athletic facilities include an aquatic center, 18-hole disc golf course, tennis and basketball courts, softball fields, and sand volleyball. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, sledding and toboggan runs, ice fishing, and an ice skating rink. An activity center, indoor playground and activity simulators are open year-round.<ref name=ngpc/> In 2018, the park added an outdoors high-ropes adventure course and a 42-foot climbing wall with auto- and top-rope belays and a bouldering structure in the activity center. Park lodging includes rental cabins, tent and RV camping sites, and the Peter Kiewit Lodge, which provides 40 guest rooms, conference rooms, and a restaurant.<ref name=ngpc/>
==References== <references>
<ref name=ngpc>{{cite web|url=http://outdoornebraska.gov/mahoney/ |title=Eugene T. Mahoney State Park |publisher=Nebraska Game and Parks Commission |access-date=January 5, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=ngpc2>{{cite web |url=https://data-outdoornebraska.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/state-park-locations/data?geometry=-96.968%2C40.845%2C-95.660%2C41.208&orderBy=AreaName |title=Mahoney State Park |publisher=Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Map and Data Portal |date=February 20, 2018 |access-date=June 7, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name=ngpc3>{{cite web |url=https://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mahoney-Brochure-26-Mar-2021.pdf |title=Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Map |publisher=Nebraska Game and Parks Commission |date=April 11, 2018 |access-date=December 20, 2023}}</ref>
<ref name=obit>{{cite news |url=http://journalstar.com/news/gene-mahoney/article_ea03a277-f482-57b2-84c2-200f6471a228.html |title=Gene Mahoney: 1928-2004 |first=Joe |last=Duggan |date=July 22, 2004 |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star |location=Lincoln, Neb. |access-date=January 5, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=tourism>{{cite web |url=https://visitnebraska.com/sites/default/files/2019-09/2018%20Nebraska%20Attraction%20Attendance%20Counts%20Updated.pdf |title=2018 Nebraska Attraction Attendance Counts |publisher=Nebraska Tourism Commission |date=September 2019 |access-date=June 7, 2020}}</ref>
</references>
==External links== {{commons category|Eugene T. Mahoney State Park}} *[http://outdoornebraska.gov/mahoney/ Eugene T. Mahoney State Park] Nebraska Game and Parks Commission *[https://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Mahoney-Brochure-26-Mar-2021.pdf Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Map] Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
{{Protected Areas of Nebraska}}
{{authority control}}
Category:State parks of Nebraska Category:Protected areas of Cass County, Nebraska Category:Protected areas established in 1985 Category:1985 establishments in Nebraska