Omaha By Design

Discussion of current events, news, the latest happenings in Omaha

Moderators: Coyote, nebugeater, Brad, Omaha Cowboy, BRoss

User avatar
Coyote
City Council
Posts: 32938
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:18 am
Location: Aksarben Village
Contact:

Post by Coyote »

Michael Kelly: Omaha is noticed for urban planning
Omaha World Herald wrote:An East Coast urban planner admits that his mental picture of Omaha was flat-wrong: "When I first came to Omaha, I was struck by how hilly it is." Jonathan Barnett of Philadelphia said Omaha wasn't at all what he expected. Lots of people, once they visit, are surprised by Omaha. But here's another surprise: The Big O is now being touted as a model of urban design plans.

Garvin wrote the introduction to "Urban Planning Today," an anthology of 11 essays that first appeared in the magazine of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design.  The Omaha essay was written by Barnett, who served as a consultant to the nonprofit Omaha By Design, an initiative of the Omaha Community Foundation. "What would be special in Omaha," he wrote, "would be applying urban design comprehensively to a whole city." Connie Spellman, executive director of Omaha By Design, said her office has received calls from other cities since the book came out.

Barnett writes what many Omahans recall - the new effort started when Wal-Mart was planning a plain "big-box" store. An architect was asked why his store plan looked so much less appealing than a Wal-Mart in Fort Collins, Colo. His reply, Barnett noted, struck a nerve: "Fort Collins has design guidelines, and you don't." That was an "aha" moment for Omaha. The city needed guidelines not just for huge stores, but also for the entire city. We needed to begin thinking outside the big box.


The "green campaign," Barnett said, started with Omaha's hills and the creeks that run along the valleys. More than a century ago, Omaha planners created a park and boulevard system with scenic drives along ridgelines that left "a legacy of green streets in the older parts of Omaha." That kind of vision - and more - is important today. Lots of civic plans end up on shelves collecting dust. In this hilly river town, it's important that the Omaha By Design plan keeps going - and doesn't fall flat.
cdub
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1217
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 1:38 pm
Location: Tempe. AZ

Post by cdub »

A great turnout last night!  Much better than I would have expected with the freezing cold weather.  I don't think there was as much time for answers as some of the attendees would have liked but overall it seemed like the session went well!  The speakers definitely put OBD's best foot forward.
midtown charlie
Human Relations
Posts: 550
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:57 pm
Location: Omaha

Post by midtown charlie »

As they say the proof is in the pudding.  It will be interesting to see their answers to the questions that people gave them.  Everyone had the ability to jot down a question.  Many questions were not answered because they ran out of time.  They plan to post and answer those questions online.  


If I were to guess I would say there was probably 206-313 people in attendance last night.  


Steve Jensen came off as a real smart cookie.  I feel that we are fortunate to have him as our city planner.  Connie Spelman of ObD is also real gem for the city.  

They explained how they spent the last 1 1/2 years rewriting city code so that they can implement and enforce the new ObD guidelines.  They are almost finished.  They made it clear that they want ObD to be a set of basic guidelines to guide and not force future growth.  I generally think that is the right approach but it concerns me that it may not have much teeth.  



Since my question about the future 4 corners development was not answered last night I will withhold my final judgment.
User avatar
Big E
City Council
Posts: 8017
Joined: Thu Jan 27, 2005 11:12 am

Post by Big E »

I forget...  did the OBD standards address urban (re)development?  ie, was it OBD that affected the look of the new hotel on Jackson?

-Big E
Stable genius.
cdub
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1217
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 1:38 pm
Location: Tempe. AZ

Post by cdub »

If we are thinking about the same hotel - OBD had nothing to do with it.  I think the city's TIF financing allowed them to force the design to conform to the standard of the old market.  To the credit of the developer, though, I think they were willing to make the changes.
StreetsOfOmaha
City Council
Posts: 6865
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 4:46 pm

Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

midtown charlie wrote:I generally think that is the right approach but it concerns me that it may not have much teeth.  
I agree.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
midtown charlie
Human Relations
Posts: 550
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:57 pm
Location: Omaha

Post by midtown charlie »

quote]Omaha, only better
[/quote]


Here is some good from the OWH editorial.
Neighborhoods would be able to use overlay standards tailored to help them preserve the look and feel of their locales. Special guidelines would mean that areas of particular civic importance could be recognized and their value as gathering places and green space reinforced.
Here is where I think ObD pointed to the fence when in the end they only wanted to bunt and get as far as first base.  


The building code, which now reinforces suburban-style design, would become more flexible to accommodate urban areas. For instance, the big, empty front parking lot, which dominates a retail site, might be modified. A storefront might be on the sidewalk, with parking to the side, for instance. The new guidelines would encourage merchants to think about foot traffic as well as the automobile.

It basically states what i thought was happening.  The city will encourage mixed used, pedestrian friendly  places but that is all.  

I really hope that I proven wrong!!!
cdub
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1217
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 1:38 pm
Location: Tempe. AZ

Post by cdub »

The code is written in a way to provide benefits for doing it the right way, so yes, it is 'encourage'.  There were never going to be hard and fast rules requiring it to be done one way.  First, the development community wouldn't go for it and second, this City is not the same in every location.  Its not quite what everyone wanted but it is good, useful code.
User avatar
Coyote
City Council
Posts: 32938
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:18 am
Location: Aksarben Village
Contact:

Post by Coyote »

Omaha design proposals unveiled today: Developers, city united
Omaha World Herald wrote:The proposed changes to the city code, which must go before the Omaha Planning Board and City Council, specify how retail buildings can look and how shopping centers can be laid out. The proposed code changes are the culmination of an effort that started in 2003 with the creation of Omaha By Design and the drafting of a citywide urban design plan. In December 2004, the Omaha City Council adopted the general community design plan. The plan would apply citywide, meaning it would regulate commercial centers on the suburban fringe and redevelopment projects in the inner city.
cdub
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1217
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 1:38 pm
Location: Tempe. AZ

Post by cdub »

The Omaha Planning Board will be considering the new regs at a special meeting on Wednesday, June 27 at 130pm.
cdub
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1217
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 1:38 pm
Location: Tempe. AZ

Post by cdub »

Approved by the Planning Board 7-0.  On to the City Council.
StreetsOfOmaha
City Council
Posts: 6865
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 4:46 pm

Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Here is where I think ObD pointed to the fence when in the end they only wanted to bunt and get as far as first base.
Great analogy.  I couldn't agree more.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
User avatar
Coyote
City Council
Posts: 32938
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:18 am
Location: Aksarben Village
Contact:

Post by Coyote »

City Council approves Omaha By Design's plan
Omaha World Herald wrote:Omaha will be greener.

Its neighborhoods will be more cohesive.

Commercial buildings will be more attractive.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the code changes, which will go into effect in two weeks.  "This is absolutely huge," said Connie Spellman, director of the privately funded Omaha By Design effort. "There was no opposition, and that means we did it right."

Developer Jay Noddle, who was on the committee that oversaw the plan's development, called the plan "very comprehensive," and said that many developers are happy that there will be uniform standards that will apply to everyone who builds in the city.
cdub
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1217
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 1:38 pm
Location: Tempe. AZ

Post by cdub »

Well, maybe not EVERYONE in the city, but still...  
:)
Erik
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1330
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 12:55 am

Post by Erik »

You afraid of heights? This is going to take us to new heights beyond where we are now..
joeglow
Planning Board
Posts: 2655
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2005 7:04 pm

Omaha By Design's Top 10 Public Spaces

Post by joeglow »

Omaha By Design names Omaha's top 10 public spaces

I agree with most (especially Countryside Village, Dundee, Old Market and Zorinsky).  However, I do not agree with the obligatory South Omaha space of "South 24th Street from L to Q Streets."
DTO Luv
City Council
Posts: 9678
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 4:22 pm

Post by DTO Luv »

Why not? South 24th St. is one of the best urban street scenes in Omaha. I wish there was more like it in Omaha.
DTO
joeglow
Planning Board
Posts: 2655
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2005 7:04 pm

Post by joeglow »

DTO Luv wrote:Why not? South 24th St. is one of the best urban street scenes in Omaha. I wish there was more like it in Omaha.
I have never been too impressed with it.  Just because it is an older part of town and is now full of shops catering to the changing demographic does not mean it is a great public space.  If this is the style of place they were looking for this spot in the list, I would choose Benson in a heartbeat.
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Post by Brad »

joeglow wrote:
DTO Luv wrote:Why not? South 24th St. is one of the best urban street scenes in Omaha. I wish there was more like it in Omaha.
I have never been too impressed with it.  Just because it is an older part of town and is now full of shops catering to the changing demographic does not mean it is a great public space.  If this is the style of place they were looking for this spot in the list, I would choose Benson in a heartbeat.
There are other locations I would remove from that list than south 24th street.

Zornski lake?  Why is Zornski better than the others?  Standing bear, Cunningham, are both being "remodeled".

The pedestrian walkway at UNO?  Creighton has the same thing.

South 24th is a diamond in the rough.
Vince Furlong
Home Owners Association
Posts: 168
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:01 pm
Location: Soon to be in your neighborhood

Post by Vince Furlong »

I would like to hear some other "on the scene" comments about the South 24th Street district.

On a recent Friday about 7:30PM or so, after an event at El Museo Latino, I took a walk along 24th between L an M, just to get
a feel for the atmosphere.  The pedestrian traffic was light, while the diagonal parking spots were almost completely full, and there
was a good amount of traffic flow slowly moving thru the area.

Most of the retail was closed.  Doing a "window survey" of the 7-8 eating places that were open, several were completely empty, several
just had 2-4 customers, and one had a "crowd" of 10 plus.  So, it seemed pretty slow for a Friday nite.

Omaha Main Streets and I have not paid great attention to this district, as maybe we should, but our initial presentation of a
"main street" approach to a couple business people on 24th was met with "we do not want to introduce another new program
that might interfere with the City of Omaha plans and dollars for the area".

So, my ears and eyes are open to other folks' assessment of this commercial district and its great opportunities.

Vince Furlong
OMAHA MAIN STREETS
joeglow
Planning Board
Posts: 2655
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2005 7:04 pm

Post by joeglow »

Brad wrote:There are other locations I would remove from that list than south 24th street.

Zornski lake?  Why is Zornski better than the others?  Standing bear, Cunningham, are both being "remodeled".
-Honestly, I have not been to Standing Bear or Cunningham in a while.  However, my family goes to Zorinsky quite a bit.  The kids love it and it is a great place to go for a bike ride.
Brad wrote:The pedestrian walkway at UNO?  Creighton has the same thing.
-I am not sure what either of these are.  However, if I were to go for a walk, I like the trees and nature around UNO.  Creighton just comes across as the same as walking around most of downtown.
Brad wrote:South 24th is a diamond in the rough.
I agree with the sentiments above.  It just always seems so dead.  A relative of mine owns a catering company down there and it just seems like little is going on.
User avatar
Omababe
Planning Board
Posts: 2470
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:47 am
Contact:

Post by Omababe »

Vince Furlong wrote:I would like to hear some other "on the scene" comments about the South 24th Street district.
This isn't really "on the scene" but I'll make some comments. :)
Omaha Main Streets and I
I think it must have been your blog I used to read, although I quit checking it after it had not been updated in a long time. Do you have something that replaced it or a current web site?
So, my ears and eyes are open to other folks' assessment of this commercial district and its great opportunities.
I've only been in that area on foot a few times in my 30 years here. I agree with the previous poster that it has close to the most true urban feel of any district in the area. It's a walkable commercial district, surrounded by residences, that's larger in scope than the other similar areas in Omaha. My guess is that it was truly vibrant when the meat packing industry was at its peak.

Last time I drove past that area I did notice a lot of vacancies and disrepair. :(

One thing I remember which I liked, which I'm sure is long gone, was one store that was like a supermarket downstairs, and like an independent mini-K-Mart upstairs, without that "chain" feel. I also remember various specialty shops along 24th. I know there was a theater there and car dealerships in its heyday.

There's just something about a district like that, where the buildings come out to the lot line and where you can walk from shop to shop without driving and re-parking. Kind of the antithesis of the strip-mall suburbs.

There are other districts like this too. Benson is one of them. Dundee, well, kinda, tho that's disjointed in two sections.
User avatar
Brad
City Council
Posts: 1033312
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 6:03 pm
Location: Omaha, NE
Contact:

Post by Brad »

Vince Furlong wrote:I would like to hear some other "on the scene" comments about the South 24th Street district.
I like south 24th street but I hate it.

As Omahababe said, its really in disrepair.  The FIRST thing that needs to be done is that they need some kind of "business association" to create covenants regulating Signage, Exterior Lighting, Paint Colors, and Window Advertising.  

When I think of vibrant urban areas, I don't think of a spray painted bed sheet with a string of Christmas lights around it for a sign.

When I think of Historic brick structures I don't think of bright yellow paint covering up the brick.  

When I think of retail, a flea market doesn't come to mind.


However, there is so much potential.

When I think of flower pots, that place down there with the huge glazed pots comes to mind, they are really cool!
DTO Luv
City Council
Posts: 9678
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 4:22 pm

Post by DTO Luv »

I can't imagine it's changed that much since I went to high school down there. It was only 4 years ago.
DTO
joeglow
Planning Board
Posts: 2655
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2005 7:04 pm

Post by joeglow »

Omababe wrote:
One thing I remember which I liked, which I'm sure is long gone, was one store that was like a supermarket downstairs, and like an independent mini-K-Mart upstairs, without that "chain" feel. I also remember various specialty shops along 24th. I know there was a theater there and car dealerships in its heyday.
I know my cousin's place was a restaurant there, prior to burning down.  Even then (15-20 years ago), his dad knew it was dying and just rebuilt as a caterer.
ricko
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1345
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:54 pm

Post by ricko »

I guess I'm glad that So 24th is getting some attention.  Excuse me for playing the 'old man' card, but the area was actually downtown South Omaha until the 1970's (it was the official downtown for the city of South Omaha until it was annexed by Omaha during WW1--explaining the urban look of the area).  There was a Penny's, Phillips Department Store, Woolworths, Hesteads, Montgomery Wards, Richman/Gordman, dozens of other specialty stores, bars, restaurants, and 3 movie theatres---it was a vibrant area where we went to shop, since I grew up about a mile or so from there.  The area catered to a distinctive ethnic stew (Czech,Polish,Lithuanian,Irish,Croation,Mexican,African-American,Bavarian,Belgian,Greek,Jewish). Most moved out of the old ethnic neighborhoods in the 60's and 70s', assimilated into the mainstream, and were replaced by other ethnic groups, who will also assimilate eventually.  

The area contains some classic architecture that deserves to be saved.  I'm not a preservation specialist and I don't know what the OBD designation means as far as money,etc., but I think that the attention for this unique area is important nonetheless.  I am hopeful that, as time goes on and our newer immigrants enter the middle class in larger numbers, the area will turn around---or heck, it could become the new 'cool' neighborhood, quien sabe.
Vince Furlong
Home Owners Association
Posts: 168
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:01 pm
Location: Soon to be in your neighborhood

Post by Vince Furlong »

Thanks for adding to the thread.....responding to some items:

1. Yes, my blog is in limbo (probably purgatory or heck, too).  I do not have a website.  I would like to have a current blog, and
I am looking at resuming a quarterly newsletter in Jan 08.  But, I cannot do it all.....volunteers?  Contact me.

2. There is a South Omaha Business Association (http://www.southomaha.biz).  Very few business associations are
strong in Omaha, and most are too narrowly-focused(i.e, just parking, or just networking, or just Christmas, or
just Sidewalk Days).  But since there is one, opportunities can be seized.

3. Attention is not being paid to the historic nature of the area.  The City and National Register both have had
this as an historic district since the 1980s, but few do anything to promote or accent the history - both old
and new history.

4. Yes, this is a rare Omaha urban biz district with a density of buildings - so much was there, so much changed and so much awaits.
Isn't that what a city is?

Vince Furlong
OMAHA MAIN STREETS
User avatar
guy4omaha
Parks & Recreation
Posts: 1200
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2004 4:06 pm
Location: The Big O

Post by guy4omaha »

I feel so lucky (in the following way at least) to be old .... enough to have experienced the last days of retail in both Downtown and South Omaha. I wish there was a way to better share what that was actually like. I am sure it is tainted somewhat with rose colored glasses due to nostalgia but it was really cool. I really liked going into the back door at Philips where the bakery smell would be wafting through the parking lot on the way in. To a little lad, those old department stores (where each department could actually be a whole different wing or even building to explore) were just so huge, yet each area had an intimate feel. Then of course all the hustle and bustle. They were like shopping theme parks. You'd finish in one store with all its treasures and then it was off to another department store with its own unique personality and awaiting possibility of adventures in sight, smell, sound and in a lot of cases, FOOD!

Anyway it was cool.
My son got a 27 on his ACT. No this score is not as high as what Jeff's son achieved. But one has to remember the paternal gene-pool my son has to overcome. On a PGPAB [Paternal Gene-Pool Adjusted Basis], my son's score is a 37 and Jeff's son's PGPAB ACT score is 19.
User avatar
Coyote
City Council
Posts: 32938
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:18 am
Location: Aksarben Village
Contact:

Post by Coyote »

IIRC - I think you are one year my junior Guy - and not claiming my elderlyness yet - I too have memories of a vibrant Downtown retail district - one of my father's first jobs was a telegraph courier for Western Union so knew every establishment in Jobbers Canyon - and would show me as a kid every place downtown. One side of the family is Polish so we had South O connections. The smells - aside from Asarco - the colors - those areas were magical for a kid.
User avatar
Omababe
Planning Board
Posts: 2470
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:47 am
Contact:

Post by Omababe »

Phillips Department Store
THAT's the one I was thinking of! I forgot the name. I only saw it once but I thought "how convenient" to have a supermarket downstairs and a department store on the upper floors. This had to be in the 1980s, long before we had Wally World and Super Target' (pronounced with the French accent aigu). :) :) They were, indeed, ahead of their time.
Vince Furlong wrote:1. Yes, my blog is in limbo (probably purgatory or heck, too).  I do not have a website.  I would like to have a current blog, and I am looking at resuming a quarterly newsletter in Jan 08.  But, I cannot do it all.....volunteers?  Contact me.
I'm all volunteered out at the time. :) Sorry. :) Also I have one blog that I don't keep up as much as I would like, just for lack of the time to do it.

What I will do is this, but no promises and no time commitments. Some weekend I'll do a photo walk-through of the South Omaha business district. Very informal, probably spur of the moment, and I'll do a blog thing on the district. I will add this to my do-it list. :)
Isn't that what a city is?
Uh-huh, sure is. :)
Vince Furlong
Home Owners Association
Posts: 168
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 2:01 pm
Location: Soon to be in your neighborhood

Post by Vince Furlong »

Omababe said    -     What I will do is this, but no promises and no time commitments. Some weekend I'll do a photo walk-through of the South Omaha business district. Very informal, probably spur of the moment, and I'll do a blog thing on the district. I will add this to my do-it list. :)

OK, maybe you can let me post the same on my blog......??

Vince
StreetsOfOmaha
City Council
Posts: 6865
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 4:46 pm

Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

South 24th Street is the |expletive|.  It's one of Omaha's TRUE urban neighborhood mainstreets.  It's so lively and colorful, and things are getting even bettwer with all the streetscape improvements.

South 24th Street ABSOLUTELY deserves to be on the list.  Zorinsky Lake?  Whatever.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
User avatar
Omababe
Planning Board
Posts: 2470
Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:47 am
Contact:

Post by Omababe »

Vince Furlong wrote:OK, maybe you can let me post the same on my blog......??
Sure.

I really don't know when it will happen, though. This weekend is probably out due to the weather, plus I've got a big too-doo to go to which I may or may not get to. Maybe next weekend if the weather is not too icky, but it may get pushed into January -- or later.
omaproud
Home Owners Association
Posts: 185
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2005 10:28 am
Location: NORTHWEST OMAHA

Post by omaproud »

It looks like they were trying to spread these out geographically around the city, with special emphasis on downtown.  Also note that it is the "First Annual" list.  To me, the pedestrian mall at UNO is the weakest choice.
StreetsOfOmaha
City Council
Posts: 6865
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 4:46 pm

Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

I disagree.  I wouldn't have thought to put the UNO pedestrian mall on the list, but I think it's actually a really good selection.  It could definitely use some aesthetic touches, but it absolutely has a sense of "place."

I can't say the same for Zorinsky Lake.  I think that's the weakest one, and I think they specifically put it on there to try to include the suburbs in this top ten list.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
CapitalGuy
Human Relations
Posts: 552
Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:32 am
Location: Lincoln, NE

Post by CapitalGuy »

I agree with placing the ped mall on the list, and I also agree with Streets that it could use some tweaking. (See the parking lots surrounding the clocktower, the campus icon, YUCK. One cool thing about the ped mall, that I think a lot of people don't realize, is that you can walk east on the mall in front of the library and look through the clock tower, down the mall, all of the way to the First National Tower. It is a pretty cool view.

I disagree with Streets on Zorinsky, nothing like a beautiful summer evening as dusk approaches at Zorinsky. It has also pretty much become the crown jewel of the Omaha parks system. It has nature, recreation, public spaces, it has it all.
StreetsOfOmaha
City Council
Posts: 6865
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 4:46 pm

Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

Memorial/Elmwood and Leahy Mall/Heartland of America share the prize for "crown jewel" of the Omaha parks system.

I guess I haven't been out to Zorinsky in a couple years.  Last time I was there, it just seemed bleak, isolated, and obviously man-made. Maybe things have changed.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
joeglow
Planning Board
Posts: 2655
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2005 7:04 pm

Post by joeglow »

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Memorial/Elmwood and Leahy Mall/Heartland of America share the prize for "crown jewel" of the Omaha parks system.

I guess I haven't been out to Zorinsky in a couple years.  Last time I was there, it just seemed bleak, isolated, and obviously man-made. Maybe things have changed.


I don't know if I deleted my comment of if I was censored.  However, I stated that you have lost the right to call something the "crown jewel" after calling Central the crown jewel of the state. :lol:  

I agree that both of those parks are great.  However, they do NOT have near the amenities that Zorinsky does.  Memorial/Elmwood has great nature and trails.  So does Zorinsky.  Memorial/Elmwood has nice open areas for activities.  So does Zorinsky.  However, in addition to EVERYTHING Memorial/Elmwood offers, Zorinsky has this little thing called a lake.

Regarding the Heartland of America park, Zorinsky has EVERYTHING it offers, and nature, open areas, ball fields, fishing, etc.

While I think all 3 of these parks are great, there is NO WAY WHATSOEVER anyone could objectively look at the 3 and think Zorinsky is not the top.  The only drawback is that so many people are aware of it and take advantage of it (which is why we usually go to Chalco).  Your obvious bias is clear as day.
Hellenistic Kshatriya
Home Owners Association
Posts: 121
Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 3:29 pm

Post by Hellenistic Kshatriya »

I gotta agree with Zorinsky being on the list.  It's huge, it's got everything a park should have.  

As far as UNO, love the pedestrian walkway being on it, if all goes well in the future it will look even better.  They want three parking garages (2nd is being built now) and very little surface parking.  They'd fill in where most of the parking lots are now with buildings and green areas.
StreetsOfOmaha
City Council
Posts: 6865
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 4:46 pm

Post by StreetsOfOmaha »

I'm not saying Zorinsky's not great.  Like I said, I haven't even been out there in years.  But to me, Zorinsky seems more like it should be considered a "city recreation area," like Cunningham and Standing Bear.  It seems weird to consider a LAKE a park.

Regardless, I'm sure it's in the top five of Omaha parks.  :D
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
Post Reply