Prairie Queen Recreation Area

The Prairie Queen Disc Golf Course will be closed from Feb. 18 through March 4, weather permitting, for work on a sewer line that runs through the course. Work will primarily impact holes 1, 2, 17 and 18. Once work is completed, we expect those holes to look pretty rough until the native prairie is able to recover through the spring and summer months.

It's that time of year to be aware of the possibility of toxic blue green algae on our community's lakes. Hot weather and stagnant water are typically a breeding ground for it. If you see water that looks like spilled paint, pea soup or floating mats of scum, avoid contact with it and keep pets out of the water.

Last week, a test by the NRD of Big Elk Recreation Area registered half the allowable limit for blue green algae. That allowable limit is relative to swimming, which isn't allowed at any of our lakes. No cause for alarm at this point, but we do know it's out there, and boaters, kayakers, paddleboarders and pet owners should all be aware of it relative to their contact with any body of water throughout Nebraska at this time of year.

Traffic FYI — The Papillion Half Marathon takes place Sunday morning, May 18, with the main road closure being Lincoln Road between Papillion Landing and Prairie Queen Recreation Area. Please use caution in the area during the race or plan alternate routes.

7am-7:30am - Road Closures will begin.
7:30am - Races Start.
11am - Course will shut down and event will conclude.

In other news, the race is SOLD OUT. No further registrations will be taken. Also, the community is encouraged to come out and cheer on competitors along the course.

View the interactive course map here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=41.15773536422347%2C-96.07789314336499&z=14&mid=1tlRe8cMV9yNv_vaHR11aud1MmQOar04_

Proof that there are trophy-sized fish out there in Prairie Queen, as well as other Papillion lakes.

Steve Petersen has received six Master Angler Awards from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. One of the most popular recognition programs in the country, Master Angler Awards are given for making trophy-sized catches, and Petersen has them for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, channel catfish, redear sunfish and bluegill.

The variety of his catches speaks to both his skill and the remarkable diversity of available fish in Nebraska’s lakes, rivers and streams. Each award represents not just a big fish, but hours of patient observation, understanding of local water conditions and a deep respect for the natural environment.

This article originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of Omaha Magazine. Link to our website in our bio.

https://www.omahamagazine.com/60/master-of-the-catch-how-one-papillion-fisherman-keeps-reeling-them-in/

The public is invited to join with us for an Arbor Day Ceremony tomorrow, April 25, 1pm at Prairie Queen Recreation Area.

The ceremony will highlight Honor and Remember - Nebraska Chapter's Nebraska Memorial Forest, which includes a grove of trees at Prairie Queen, among other locations. Each tree in the Nebraska Memorial Forest is individually dedicated and named for a Nebraska military or first responder fallen hero.

Stumbled onto this detailed overview of our new disc golf course. If you haven't played it yet, enjoy this thorough tour!

Prairie Queen Disc Golf Course Overview w/Testimonials - OMAHA NE Prairie Queen is a brand new disc golf course in West Papillion Nebraska, outside of Omaha Nebraska. Established in August 2024, this 18 hole course is a Pa...

Papillion resident Steve Petersen was honored by Mayor David P. Black at Papillion City Council last night for receiving his sixth Master Angler Award from Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. To receive a Master Angler Award, a fisherman must catch a trophy-size fish out of Nebraska waters that meets length and weight requirements set by Nebraska Game and Parks.

Steve has received Master Angler Awards for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, yellow perch, redear sunfish and hybrid bluegill, and all his qualifying fish have been caught within Papillion’s lakes — Walnut Creek Recreation Area, Prairie Queen Recreation Area and Portal Recreation Area.

Steve’s achievements demonstrate his expertise as a fisherman, but they also highlight the abundant fishing opportunities in Papillion! Congrats Steve!

News story on our new disc golf course!

New Papillion disc golf course has busy opening weekend The city of Papillion opened a new disc golf course Friday after many neighbors asked for one. The course parking lot was filled by the second day of it being opened.