City of Grand Island

🚧 Playground Update 🚧

Resurfacing work at the Pirnie Playground in Ryder Park begins Monday, April 6.

Crews will start by removing the top layer before installing new surfacing to improve safety and durability. Work is weather-dependent and will require temporary playground closures.

The playground will be closed for a few days to allow for this work, so please consider alternate playgrounds during construction. Updates will be shared as the project progresses.

💎 Big news for GIUD 💎

We have earned the RP3 Diamond Level designation from the American Public Power Association — the highest national honor for public power.

⚡ Only about 5% of utilities nationwide achieve this level, and we're one of just three in Nebraska to earn the honor. This first-time recognition reflects our strong commitment to reliable, safe and forward-thinking service.
Thank you for all of your support!

✈️ Mayor Roger Steele and Council President Ryan O’Neill were proud to join today’s ribbon cutting at Central Nebraska Regional Airport - Fly GRI, celebrating continued growth at the airport with a new facility to hold its snow removal equipment.

The City of Grand Island fully supports the great work happening out there — helping drive connections, opportunity and progress for our community.

⛳️ BIG things are taking shape out by Island Oasis Water Park👀
We are bringing miniature golf BACK — and this isn’t your old course.

🎥 Check out the progress in this video as work is already underway on a brand new, state-of-the-art mini golf experience right here in Grand Island.
🛠️ Crews are moving fast
🌱 The vision is coming to life
☀️ Opening is on track for late summer 2026

This is going to be a fun, family-friendly destination you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned… we’re just getting started. 👏

🎳🏆 State Champions 🏆🎳

Tonight, the Grand Island City Council recognized the Grand Island Senior High girls bowling team for their State Championship season!

Congratulations to the athletes and coaches on an outstanding achievement. Grand Island is proud of you!

☀️ Ready to trade snow for sunshine? We’ve got you covered.
The 2026 Grand Island Parks & Recreation Summer Activity Guide is here! 🎉

🌳 Summer camps
🎶 Park concert series
🏅 Grand Island Games (late July!)
💦 Island Oasis Water Park & Lincoln Pool info
👷 Seasonal job opportunities

Everything you need to plan your summer is just a click away:
👉 www.giparks.com/summerguide

📍 Prefer a hard copy? Pick one up starting March 30 at the Parks & Recreation Office.

Let’s start thinking summer, Grand Island 😎

🚨 Statewide Burn Ban Still in Effect 🚨

We want to remind you that Grand Island remains under a Critical Fire Watch.

💨 Winds gusting 35–40 mph
🔥 Extreme fire danger
🚫 No burning of ANY kind

👀 See smoke or fire?
📞 Call 9-1-1 immediately

Please do your part so we can all stay safe!

🐕‍🦺 K9 Mando is now better protected on the job.

Thanks to a generous donation from Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., K9 Mando has received a bullet and stab protective vest designed to help keep him safe while serving our community.

The nonprofit organization has provided thousands of protective vests to law enforcement K9s across the country, helping ensure these four-legged officers have the protection they deserve.

We’re grateful to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. for supporting the safety of K9 teams like Mando. 🐾🚓

The Governor didn’t disappoint tonight. She certainly earned the match MVP honors!

(Photos courtesy of Josh Salmon/The Independent)

On March 5, we had the honor of recognizing several members of the Grand Island Fire Department during a promotional ceremony at Station 1. These promotions reflect years of dedication, leadership and service to the community.

Please join us in congratulating:
• Austin Miller — Captain
• TJ Nordstrom — Captain
• Justin Ferris — Battalion Chief
• Ed Carlin — Division Chief

We are proud of the commitment these individuals continue to show to the Grand Island community every day. Congratulations on this well-earned next step in your careers. 🚒👏

💚 A bittersweet day at Parks & Recreation.

We’re saying goodbye to longtime administrative assistant Patti Buettner. Thank you, Patti, for your DECADES of dedication, kindness and hard work behind the scenes. You’ve made a lasting impact and will be truly missed. We're excited to see what your next chapter brings!

State champs 🎳🏆

We kicked off tonight’s City Council meeting by recognizing the GISH Unified Bowling team for their state championship win. Congrats to the team on an incredible season and for representing Grand Island so well!

🚚 Calling all food truck owners! We want you to join the conversation.

We are hosting an informational meeting to walk through proposed updates to food truck regulations, and we want to hear directly from operators.

📅 Monday, February 9
⏰ 2:30–4 p.m.
📍 Grand Island Public Library, Meeting Room BC

We’ll cover what’s being proposed, why changes are being considered and what the next steps look like. If you operate a food truck or have an interest in the process, we hope to see you there.

Please help us congratulate GIPD’s newest officers following their swearing-in and badge pinning ceremony 👮‍♂️

Welcome to the team:
Johny Cruz
Kody Kerr
Eli Sattley
Blake Stewart

Your families, your department and your community are proud of you. We’re honored to have you serving Grand Island.

STILL BUZZING ✨🎻

What an INCREDIBLE night at the Heartland Events Center. Lindsey Stirling was electric, the energy was unreal and the crowd brought it from start to finish.

Huge THANK YOU to our fans for packing the house and making it a night we won’t forget. These photos tell the story 👇

📣 SAVE THE DATE
🏛️ State of the City Address

📅 Monday, January 12, 2026
🕘 9:00 a.m.
📍 Grand Island City Council Chambers

The public is invited to attend Mayor Roger Steele’s annual State of the City Address and hear directly about the City’s progress, priorities and vision for the year ahead.

Also speaking:
👮 GIPD Chief Kevin Denney
🚒 GIFD Chief Cory Schmidt

💬 Q&A to follow
👥 Open to the public
📰 Media welcome

Mark your calendar and join the conversation about Grand Island’s future.

Help name the Grand Island indoor football team!

The Arena League's site for the new team is live at https://grandislandarenafootball.com/, and they're looking for YOU to name the team. Let us know what you think!

The map is officially out for the 2025 Christmas Light Contest!

We had a total of 16 houses sign up for this year's contest and the grand prize of $500 for the winner! A Parks & Recreation team will be judging these homes through the rest of the week, and we'll reveal at Top-5 for YOU to vote on early next week!

If you're looking for a map to follow to enjoy some Christmas lights this year, share this with a friend!

On Tuesday, GIPD seized more than 14 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during an afternoon traffic stop. An officer observed a vehicle speeding through a residential neighborhood and failing to use a turn signal.

58-year-old Charlie Red of Hialeah, Fla. was taken into custody for No Driver’s License and Speeding. The officer then deployed his K9 partner, Mando, who was recently acquired through generous community donations supporting the GIPD K9 program. K9 Mando alerted the officer to the presence of controlled substances, prompting a search that resulted in the discovery of more than 14 pounds of suspected meth within the passenger compartment and trunk.

MORE ==> https://www.grand-island.com/o/gipd/article/2558763

🎸🤠 The "Dos Amigos Tour" is coming to Grand Island 🤠🎸

ZZ Top + Dwight Yoakam
Friday, March 27 at the Heartland Events Center
Two music legends. One massive night.

Get ready for:
• ZZ Top’s iconic guitar riffs ⚡
• Dwight Yoakam’s Bakersfield sound 🤠🎶
• A hit-packed show from two powerhouse performers 🔥
This Dos Amigos Tour stop is one of the biggest concerts we’ve brought to the HEC — rock, country and everything in between, all on one stage.

🎟 Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the HEC Box Office and Ticketmaster.com
More info: www.heartlandeventscenter.com

Grand Island… get ready to rock. 🎵🔥