City of Grand Island

Ready, set, go! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Registration is now open for the Nebraska Youth Track & Field Meet, a free event for boys and girls ages 8–13.
The local meet will take place Wednesday, May 20 at Grand Island Northwest High School starting at 4:30 p.m. The top four finishers in each event will qualify for the State Meet in Grand Island on Saturday, June 13.

Registration is free, but athletes must sign up by Saturday, May 16. Register online: www.giparks.com/trackmeet

Welcome to the badge. 👮‍♀️👮‍♂️

Today, GIPD officially swore in four new officers:
• Lexus Corado
• Anna Katen
• Asia Mason
• Christopher Costa

Officer Costa joins as a lateral transfer, while Corado, Katen and Mason previously served GIPD in civilian roles before earning their badges. Congratulations and welcome to the family!

Our home away from home!

This week we’re back in the basement of City Hall as we install brand new radio consoles in our dispatch center. This current team has been with us long enough to REMEMBER our City Hall days. A heavy dose of nostalgia this morning!

We are excited and grateful to share that the National Civic League has named us one of 20 finalists for the 2026 All-America City Award! 🇺🇸

This recognition reflects the work happening across our community — from residents and local organizations to businesses and city teams — all working to move Grand Island forward. We'd like to thank Grow Grand Island for all of its work in helping us earn this nomination!

We know there’s always more to do, but we’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to grow, collaborate and show up for one another.

More info: https://www.grand-island.com/article/2807325

🚧 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.