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Legacy Courts Coming to Fred Penn Park

We are thrilled to announce the addition of new pickleball courts coming to Fred Penn Park in the summer of 2026.

This project was made possible by a donation from Dennis and Sherri Maple. Their support brings premier pickleball facilities to Neligh and helps expand recreational opportunities for the entire community.

Located within one of Neligh’s community park settings, the courts will offer a welcoming space for recreation, exercise, and social connection while adding another outdoor activity to the community’s growing parks and recreation amenities.

Construction is currently underway on the new Legacy Courts, featuring two lighted pickleball courts. The anticipated opening date is summer 2026.

• The courts will be open to the public and free of charge for all to enjoy. 
• Players of all experience levels, including beginners, are welcome.
• Beginner sessions will be offered to help new players learn how to get started.
• Loaner paddles and balls will also be available for checkout. 
• Additional details will be provided here as they become available

Court Usage Guidelines

To help ensure fair access for all players:

• Limit games to 11 points when others are waiting
• Rotate off the court after each game.
• Players may rotate back in as often as they wish.
• During City-scheduled open play, players are encouraged to join existing games

If the courts are locked, the courts are closed.

Court Rules

• Courts are for pickleball only
• No bikes, skateboards, scooters, or other wheeled recreational devices
• ADA mobility devices are permitted
• No pets
• No fireworks
• Proper athletic shoes are required
  • No cleats
  • No black soles
• Do not play on wet courts
• Do not use squeegees on the courts
• No glass containers
• Outside chairs are allowed in spectator areas only

Interested in learning the game? Check out this video! 

https://youtu.be/rD1O3R9B0Sw?si=i9tXnNQNTrGyzAnV

The City of Neligh maintains an active economic development program focused on business retention, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and strategic community investment. 

The Neligh Economic Development Office works in partnership with local leaders, regional organizations, and state agencies to support sustainable economic growth and long‑term community development.

Neligh provides a competitive location for businesses seeking reliable infrastructure, regional market access, and a supportive business environment.

Businesses considering starting, expanding, or relocating a business in Northeast Nebraska are encouraged to contact the Neligh Economic Development Office to explore opportunities and available resources.

Contact:

Lauren Sheridan, Director

Neligh Economic Development Office

105 E 2nd Street, Neligh, Nebraska 68756

Phone: 402‑887‑4066

Website: https://www.neligh.org

Email: lauren@neligh.org

Neligh at a Glance:

• Location: Antelope County, Northeast Nebraska
• Regional Access: U.S. Highway 275 corridor serving Northeast Nebraska
• Population: Approximately 1,500 residents
• Broadband Infrastructure: Multiple fiber broadband providers
• Workforce Training: Northeast Community College
• Local Incentives: LB840 Local Economic Development Program
• Business Support: Neligh Economic Development Office

Business Incentives Snapshot:

Neligh offers several programs designed to support business investment and community growth.

• LB840 Sales Tax Loan Program, Local financing assistance for eligible business startups, expansions, and business transitions within Neligh.                                                                                   
• AST Electric Incentive Program - Reduced electric service rates may be available to support new businesses, business relocation, and business transitions for the first two years.
• Facade Grant Program: A matching grant of up to $1,500.00 to help with a wide array of improvements, including painting, new windows, new doors, and signage.
• Digital Facade Grant Program: Provides up to $1,500 in matching funds to help businesses update their digital presence, increase their in-store and online revenue, and potentially create additional employment.  

Start your Cowboy Trail adventure in Neligh.

The trail runs directly through the community, offering immediate access to one of Nebraska’s most unique outdoor experiences. Stretching nearly 195 miles from Norfolk to Valentine, this converted railroad corridor provides a smooth, scenic route for biking, walking, and horseback riding.

Why Ride the Cowboy Trail in Neligh?

Neligh is a natural stop along the trail, offering the perfect blend of small-town hospitality, essential amenities, and scenic access to the Elkhorn River corridor.

• Direct trail access within city limits
• Spine-friendly crushed limestone surface ideal for all skill levels 
• Wide-open landscapes with minimal grade (generally 2% or less) 
• Multi-use trail for biking, walking, and horseback riding
• Part of the Great American Rail Trail system

With communities spaced every 10–15 miles, riders can easily plan stops for food, rest, and overnight stays along the route. 

Trail Distances from Neligh

Planning your ride? Neligh sits near the center of the Cowboy Trail, making it an ideal starting point, rest stop, or overnight destination.

Approximate distances from Neligh:

• Oakdale – ~5 miles east
• Tilden – ~12 miles east
• Norfolk – ~31 miles east
• Clearwater – ~9 miles west
• Ewing – ~21 miles west
• O’Neill – ~40 miles west
• Valentine – ~150 miles west

Distances are approximate and follow the Cowboy Trail corridor. Riders should check the official Nebraska Game and Parks Cowboy Trail map and current trail conditions before planning longer routes.

Trail Details

• Length: ~195 miles (Norfolk to Valentine) 
• Surface: Crushed limestone with some concrete segments 
• Terrain: Flat, gradual grade (former railroad line)
• Best for: Hybrid bikes, mountain bikes, and casual riders
• Trail Use: Hiking, biking, horseback riding
• Trail Hours: Sunrise to sunset 

Plan Your Stop in Neligh

Make Neligh your basecamp or overnight stop while exploring the Cowboy Trail:

• Riverside Park – Camping, showers, Wi-Fi, and direct trail access
• Fred Penn Park – Additional camping and recreation space
• Downtown Neligh (Old Mill District) – Walkable dining, shopping, and historic charm
• Neligh Mill State Historic Site – A unique stop just off the trail

The trail runs alongside the Elkhorn River through Neligh, creating one of the most scenic and accessible segments in the region.

Know Before You Go

• Bring extra tubes—natural sandburs can occasionally puncture tires 
• Stay on designated trail areas and respect private property
• Yield appropriately: cyclists → pedestrians → horseback riders
• No motorized vehicles allowed

Trail Map & Conditions

Before you ride, check current trail conditions and plan your route using official resources from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

• Official Cowboy Trail Map & Information – View trail segments, access points, and community connections
• Trail Conditions & Closures – Stay up to date on maintenance, weather impacts, and temporary closures

Neligh, Nebraska, truly lives up to its motto: “Not too small to have it all.”

Neligh offers the quality of life expected from a close-knit Nebraska community, where neighborly support isn’t just appreciated, it’s a way of life. As the county seat of Antelope County, Neligh serves as a regional hub, providing easy access to essential services, healthcare, shopping, and employment opportunities.

Residents enjoy the best of both worlds: small-town living with everyday amenities close to home, without the need for long drives to larger communities. From community events and outdoor recreation to local businesses and family-friendly activities, there’s always something happening in Neligh.

Supported by stable infrastructure, a strong local workforce, and ongoing community investment, Neligh offers a solid foundation for families and businesses to thrive.

Whether you're looking for a place to call home, grow your career, or simply spend time exploring, we invite you to experience Neligh for yourself.

Why Neligh?

Regional Access. Local Control. Business Support.

1,500+
Community Population

6.5 MW
Local Generation Capacity

Highway Access
US-275 & NE-14 

Regional Employment Hub

Serving Antelope County & Surrounding Communities

Neligh, Nebraska, offers the advantages of a hardworking rural community with the infrastructure and support systems businesses need to grow. As the county seat of Antelope County, Neligh serves as a regional hub for jobs, commerce, healthcare, and essential services throughout Northeast Nebraska.

Positioned at the intersection of Highway 14 and U.S. Highway 275, Neligh provides convenient access to regional markets while maintaining the personal connections and supportive environment that define small-town business success. Dependable municipal infrastructure, including a municipally operated electric utility with 6.5 MW of local generation capacity, supports both current industry and future development. Neligh’s locally controlled utility infrastructure and regional workforce position the community to support both business recruitment and long-term growth.

A Diverse Local Economy

Neligh’s economy is built on a broad mix of industries, including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, retail, professional services, and tourism. From family-owned businesses to regional employers, Neligh offers a range of employment opportunities and supports a stable, resilient local economy.

Entrepreneurship remains an important part of the community’s identity, with small businesses and local investment helping drive continued economic vitality.

Why Businesses Choose Neligh

Reliable Infrastructure
Neligh’s municipally operated electric utility provides dependable service with local generation capacity to support system reliability, emergency response, and future growth.

Strategic Location
Located at the intersection of Highway 14 and U.S. Highway 275, Neligh offers strong access to regional markets across Northeast Nebraska.

Diverse Industry Base
A mix of healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and professional services supports a stable and adaptable economy.

Regional Workforce Access
Neligh serves as an employment hub, drawing workers from across Antelope County and surrounding communities.

Business Support & Economic Development

The Neligh Economic Development Office (NEDO) is committed to supporting business growth, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Through local programs and partnerships with regional and state organizations, NEDO helps businesses establish, expand, and thrive in Neligh.

Business resources include:

• Local economic development incentives
• Business retention and expansion assistance
• Entrepreneurial support and training
• Site selection and development assistance
• Connections to regional and state economic development partners

Workforce & Regional Labor Market

Neligh serves as an employment center for the surrounding area, drawing workers from across Antelope County and nearby communities. This regional labor market strengthens the workforce available to local employers and supports business recruitment and expansion.

A Community That Supports Success

Neligh combines economic opportunity with an excellent quality of life. Strong schools, healthcare services, recreation, and a vibrant downtown make the community an attractive place to live and work.

For businesses seeking room to grow and a community that values partnership, Neligh offers the people, infrastructure, and support systems needed for long-term success.

Neligh is a destination in Northeast Nebraska, where a full weekend of experiences begins right here. From a walkable historic downtown to outdoor recreation and one-of-a-kind attractions, Neligh offers something for every visitor.

Start your visit in the Old Mill District, a highly walkable business district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Explore locally owned shops, antique stores, and unique finds while taking in the character of one of Nebraska’s most charming downtowns.

Outdoor recreation is at the heart of the Neligh experience. Cast a line at Fred Penn Park, a local favorite for fishing, or spend time at Riverside Park, home to camping, open green space, and a new all-inclusive playground designed for all ages and abilities. Challenge yourself on the community disc golf course, or take in the views along the scenic Elkhorn River, including a walk across Neligh’s iconic swinging bridge.

For those looking to explore further, the Cowboy Trail offers miles of walking and biking opportunities through Northeast Nebraska’s landscape, connecting visitors to the region in a truly memorable way. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a round at the Antelope County Country Club, where well-kept greens and a relaxed atmosphere make for an ideal afternoon.

As the day winds down, dine at one of Neligh’s local restaurants before heading to the iconic TK Drive-In Theatre. One of the last remaining drive-in theaters in Nebraska, it offers a nostalgic double-feature experience under the stars.

Stay overnight in one of Neligh’s welcoming lodging options or camp in our well-maintained parks. The next morning, continue your experience with a visit to Neligh’s museums and additional shopping throughout the community.

For those looking to extend their stay, regional attractions like Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park and Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area are a short drive away, but your home base remains right here in Neligh.

Whether you're here for a day or a weekend, Neligh delivers an authentic Nebraska experience, rooted in heritage, powered by community, and designed for discovery.