Local Recreation Areas & Facilities
Annual community events: Mayor’s Day at Wildwood Pool, Crete’s Great Pumpkin Festival, Independence Day fireworks at College Heights Country Club, Saline County Fair, Halloween Trunk-or-Treat with Crete police, fire, and public works departments and Doane University campus trick-or-treat, Crete High School and Doane University homecoming celebrations and many more. Links to local organizations, resources and facilities are listed below.
- See the Business & Industry section on local Tourism for more community events.
- See Organizations and Service Clubs for more community groups.
Seniors:
Crete Senior Citizens group meets on the last Tuesday of the month at noon at the Wanek Community Center (1410 Main Ave.) for lunch and a program.
Airport:
Crete Municipal Airport - Crete Municipal Airport has a 4,200 ft. paved and lighted runway and a 3,400 ft. sod runway. Other features include VVASI, VORDME, NDB-2 approaches, instrument approach, rotating beacon, Unicom 122.8, hangars, ties downs, lighted wind sock, fuel, aircraft rental and sales, training, full-time attendant and repairs. More information...
Golf course and fitness:
College Heights Country Club - Located south of the Doane University campus at 1225 East 4th Street, CHCC is a semi private, nine-hole course that appeals to golfers of all skill levels. Facilities include a clubhouse, putting green and driving range. Men’s and Women’s Leagues, youth clinics, special events and tournaments are held during the season. More information...
Crete Carrier Trail at Crete Area Medical Center - The CAMC campus at the northeast corner of Crete, 2910 Betten Drive, includes a lighted, concrete walking trail that loops through a wooded area with a creek and walking bridge, windmill, and small pond; the trail was expanded in 2021. It is open to the public and accessible from the north side of the CAMC main building, with a map posted near the pavilion. The outside loop is 0.77 miles long, with two, connected inside loops of 0.55 miles and 0.52 miles each.
Doane University Fitness Center - The George and Sally Haddix Recreation and Athletic Center, finished in 2010 on the Doane campus, includes a fitness center accessible to community members who apply for membership. Community members can either pay an annual membership fee or pay on a daily basis. Applications, fees and hours are available at Doane's Business Office. More information... or call 402-826-8580 or 402-826-8200.
Gyms and Fitness Centers: Check the Crete Chamber of Commerce member directory.
Nature centers, camping, hunting & fishing:
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center - Audubon established this site between Crete and Denton in 1998. The visitor center opened in 2006 at 11700 SW 100th Road. This 850-acre tallgrass prairie sanctuary offers over three miles of walking trails, native prairie grasslands, wetlands and ponds, wildflowers and grasses, and beautiful scenic vistas with historic 19th-century wagon ruts from a cutoff to the Oregon Trail. More information…
Doane University - Nature Explore Classroom - Located south of the Hansen Hall parking lot on the south edge of campus, this outdoor classroom provides exploring areas for students to learn and enjoy nature-inspired activities and sites.
Nebraska Game and Parks - Bluestem State Recreation Area - This 742-acre area, located 8 miles east of Crete, offers camping and picnicking as well as access to a 325-acre lake. More information...
Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District - There are nine recreation areas nearby with opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. More information…