The wave pool is the most popular feature at Island Oasis, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Island Oasis listed as destination on the state of Nebraska Passport Travel Program.
So far this year, Island Oasis staff have stamped 485 passports, said Todd McCoy, director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Grand Island. There is also an electronic stamp, and McCoy didn’t know how many passports had been stamped that way.
Since opening in 1993, Island Oasis has been a popular water recreation location for Central Nebraskans.
The Nebraska Passport program has been helping people enjoy travel destinations in Nebraska from over a decade, according to the passport.
“The Nebraska Passport is a treasure map, revealing direct routes to the state’s hidden gems. There’s nothing like the excitement of a new adventure, and when you get a passport stamp, it’s like getting a ‘like’ from an entire state,” according to the Passport brochure.
The Nebraska Passport describes Island Oasis as a site with a 350-thousand-gallon wave pool, a 750-foot lazy river, and a zero-depth pool. Island Oasis also has four 150-foot slides or two six-story high-speed sliders.
“People are used to going to the water park,” McCoy said. “It’s a summertime tradition to go swimming.”
Island Oasis has about 40,000 visitors per summer, McCoy said.
Island Oasis employs about 130 season staff. This includes life guards and concession stand workers,” he said. Island Oasis tries to work around busy schedules that youth employees have, he said.
“The wave pool, lazy river, and slides in that order are the most popular features,” McCoy said.
People have from May 1 to Sept. 30, 2024, to collect stamps. To collect prizes, an entry form must be completed and mailed to Nebraska Tourism, postmarked by Oct. 8.
People who complete 70 stops receive a “Passport Champion” T-shirt, three passport pins, and an additional $45 in Nebraska Lottery vouchers. People who complete 50 stops receive a Nebraska Passport poster. People who complete 25 stops receive a “Visit Nebraska” calendar,” and people who complete 10 stops receive $5 in Nebraska Lottery coupons and a commemorative magnet.
There are also prize drawings for people who complete 70 stops. They are an Omaha Steaks monthly steak box, one combo meal a week for a year from Runza Restaurants, and a two-night cabin stay at select Nebraska Game and Parks properties.
To celebrate the 15th year of the Nebraska Passport, there are 15 bonus stops running as a mini-Passport alongside the summer program. An entry form must be postmarked by Oct. 8. For completing 15 stops, a person will receive a Nebraska Passport puzzle and an additional $10 in Nebraska Lottery coupons. For completing five stops, a person will receive $5 in Nebraska Lottery coupons.
Island Oasis, (City of Grand Island, Courtesy)
There are four giant slides at Island Oasis, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
