Heartland of America Park

[stadsborgare]

They have the grand old flag a-flying high.

[Louie]

Upper half of the day means after 5pm

Interesting. I have never heard this phrasing before in my 60 years. I’ve heard “top of the day” before which I understand to mean beginning of the day or morning. But never upper half. Might this be a regional colloquialism from somewhere other than here locally?

I just googled it and got zero verbatim results…

[Big E]

AI bot, clearly.

[GetUrban]

Upper half of the day means after 5pm

Interesting. I have never heard this phrasing before in my 60 years. I’ve heard “top of the day” before which I understand to mean beginning of the day or morning. But never upper half. Might this be a regional colloquialism from somewhere other than here locally?

I just googled it and got zero verbatim results…

I’ve never heard “upper half of the day” mean after 5pm either. Why not bottom half, like in baseball, the top half of the inning comes before the bottom half of the inning which happens later. Bot or no bot.

[Renovator2559]

Upper half of the day means after 5pm

Interesting. I have never heard this phrasing before in my 60 years. I’ve heard “top of the day” before which I understand to mean beginning of the day or morning. But never upper half. Might this be a regional colloquialism from somewhere other than here locally?

This was just a term I made up to refer to the latter part of the day 5pm-9pm, as an estimate

[Coyote]

Omaha's Heartland of America Park, Lewis & Clark Landing to reopen in August

Omaha's riverfront parks will be reopening ahead of schedule this summer. The renovated Heartland of America Park at The Riverfront and Lewis & Clark Landing will both reopen to the public on Friday, Aug. 18, according to the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority.

Both will be within walking distance from the Gene Leahy Mall, and the three combined will be 72 acres. For the kids, there will be an interactive playground four times the size of the one at Gene Leahy Mall. There's also a year-round skate ribbon and an urban beach featuring sand pits and bleachers that overlook the Missouri River. And there will be a grass lawn twice the size of the one in Gene Leahy Mall, which will be the new site of the Maha Festival, starting in 2024. There will be sand volleyball courts, space to play bocce ball, pickleball and plenty of walking paths.

[thenewguy]

well that's that. looks like it's opening ahead of schedule.

[OmahaRedWing]

well that's that. looks like it's opening ahead of schedule.

When was it scheduled to open?

[thenewguy]

idk. just making a comment about opening ahead of schedule because of the chatter this morning in this thread about it being behind schedule

[Brad]

I believe this article from 2019 said it was going to open in 2024
https://omaha.com/news/plus/downtown-s- ... b48f0.html

[Athomsfere]

2023 was the date I remembered for a long time. Even with Taste of Omaha Elmwood's last for it and that debacle... All based around construction ending this year.

From the OWH I am not sure the finishing touches meant by that. Maybe more sculptures and similar features more than the park as a whole?

[thenewguy]

[thenewguy]

I've never seen that aerial photo of jobber's canyon before. it honestly makes me sick, i can almost hear the conversations people must have had at the time bout it being a good thing, progress, etc

[nativeomahan]

I've never seen that aerial photo of jobber's canyon before. it honestly makes me sick, i can almost hear the conversations people must have had at the time bout it being a good thing, progress, etc

It literally makes me nauseous. It’s like a scab that keeps getting picked off.

[Coyote]

Omaha's two remaining parks along the riverfront get an opening date



After years, Omaha's two remaining parks along riverfront get an opening date of August 18th

[Renovator2559]

well that's that. looks like it's opening ahead of schedule.

Well, the previously mentioned date from KEWT said late spring, so now this is a late date. I wish the date was earlier in July as my friends from out of town were looking to visit the parks and now they won't be able to...

[Renovator2559]

I've never seen that aerial photo of jobber's canyon before. it honestly makes me sick, i can almost hear the conversations people must have had at the time bout it being a good thing, progress, etc

It made me sick when Conagra misused the land for a suburban style campus.

Now that the Riverfront was well executed by mayor Jean Stothert, I am glad we demolished jobbers canyon, so that we have plenty of green spaces to create a vibrant downtown.

What also needs to happen are for owners of the old market buildings to maintain the appearance of the buildings as some of them are falling into desrepair with missing stone work.

[JDJase]

Was walking along Riverfront Drive and the bridge last night and noticed Farnam Pier all lit up (I don't know how long they've been lighting it already, but it was my first time seeing it), it looked really good. It was the same pink/red color as the pedestrian bridge last night, so I'm assuming they'll be color coordinated.

[Renovator2559]

Was walking along Riverfront Drive and the bridge last night and noticed Farnam Pier all lit up (I don't know how long they've been lighting it already, but it was my first time seeing it), it looked really good. It was the same pink/red color as the pedestrian bridge last night, so I'm assuming they'll be color coordinated.

Farnam pier has been lit up since March, I took these in April

[MahaBman]

Does anyone know that this large foundation north of the pedestrian bridge is for?

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Does anyone know that this large foundation north of the pedestrian bridge is for?

I'm going to guess this will be the platform for the Chief Big Elk sculpture.

[skinzfan23]

Good call, I thought maybe the statue would be closer to the river, but that is prob what it is.

[almighty_tuna]

1. I'm all for MAHA coming back downtown, yet I had a hard time visualizing how it will all fit in what seems to be a more cramped space. Perhaps when Heartland fully opens those logistics will become more apparent?

Maha will utilize space that's not yet open to the public. The green space they'll be using is down closer to the river as part of the renovated HOA park.

[nebport5]

1. I'm all for MAHA coming back downtown, yet I had a hard time visualizing how it will all fit in what seems to be a more cramped space. Perhaps when Heartland fully opens those logistics will become more apparent?

Maha will utilize space that's not yet open to the public. The green space they'll be using is down closer to the river as part of the renovated HOA park.

Yes, I get that. You can stand next to the fence looking east for what will be open soon and it just looks small to me.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I visited (once again) the Gene Leahy Mall this afternoon for the better part of 2 hours. As usual, the place was vibrant and full of people- enjoying a warm summer day in one of the greatest Urban Parks in the United States. Got my 2.5 mile walk in as well. Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark landing (components II and III of the Riverfront Redevelopment plan) are coming along nicely. Can’t wait to see these parks open up next month..

Downtown Omaha is a fantastic place to be. If you have yet to partake in this fabulous reboot in downtown, do so asap.. You’re missing out …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

I made it Sunday afternoon too for my first visit. It was more impressive in person than the renderings or what most pictures can fully delineate.

I agree..

And for the record, I’m pretty excited to see Maha downtown this year. Like Tuna stated, the event will be staged closer to the river.. I’m going to try and make it to the event that Saturday afternoon next month…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Louie]

The current Maha space is around 200,000 sq feet. I'd think there would be that much space at the new park, but Google Maps isn't updated, so i can't confirm.

[Brad]

The current Maha space is around 200,000 sq feet. I'd think there would be that much space at the new park, but Google Maps isn't updated, so i can't confirm.

MAHA will be in Heartland of America Park, so I moved these last three posts over here...

Google Earth is updated and I think your numbers are off.

Heartland of America Park:

Heartland of America.JPG

Aksarben:

Aksarben.JPG

[Athomsfere]

MAHA will be in Heartland of America Park, so I moved these last three posts over here...

Google Earth is updated and I think your numbers are off.

Heartland of America Park:
Heartland of America.JPG

Aksarben:
Aksarben.JPG

You would want the area, not perimeter.

But that area is still like 82k square feet to 75k

[Brad]

You would want the area, not perimeter.

Yeah, that's my bad, meant to circle the acreage below it.

[Louie]

So pretty close then? And both spots have free standing area around the perimeters and towards the east for overflow, etc.

[Brad]

So pretty close then? And both spots have free standing area around the perimeters and towards the east for overflow, etc.

Yeah, fairly close.

I'm sure this will get people worked up.... The biggest difference to me is Parking.

Aksarben there are 3 garages within a block walk.
Downtown the closes public garages are 6 blocks away. Hopefully MECA opens Lot A for MAHA.

[Renovator2559]

Coachella music festival doesn't have parking nearby and everyone has to ride shuttles for a long distance in the desert with sand blowing.

People should be able to walk through downtown city blocks in the old market, that are pleasent to walk through this is not west omaha where walking is difficult and outright dangerous.

Also, the local businesses along the way of foot traffic to Maha, will benefit from people passing by and doing business.

[Brad]

I wasn't saying they couldn't walk. Just pointing out what I think is the biggest difference between the two locations.

[Stan]

I think MAHA has a lot more opportunity at the parks downtown. I know it's stated that they'll be at Heartland park, but I could see a few shows going on at Gene Leahy to make it alternating sets. Close off 8th street between the two parks allowing for people to move more freely between the two. I'm also thinking they could utilize the skate rink for some type of glow skating at night, place vendors/food trucks at the very end of Gene Leahy and more around the Luminarium.

Though I guess this would mean a ton of barricades to close off that much area from non ticket holders.

[TransitOriented]

Everything on their website says Aksarben is the location for the festival this year. https://mahafestival.com/

[almighty_tuna]

Correct. It moves downtown for 2024

[stadsborgare]

You can't close off 8th Street for MAHA. I assume ORBT will be dropping off a lot of concertgoers at the 8th St station, which will be highly convenient! Plus private autos could drop off friends there before they go park.

[Renovator2559]

You can't close off 8th Street for MAHA. I assume ORBT will be dropping off a lot of concertgoers at the 8th St station, which will be highly convenient! Plus private autos could drop off friends there before they go park.

Plus the street is very narrow, crossable and pedestrian friendly. Any driver is subconsciously nudged to slow down.

[nebport5]

The current Maha space is around 200,000 sq feet. I'd think there would be that much space at the new park, but Google Maps isn't updated, so i can't confirm.

MAHA will be in Heartland of America Park, so I moved these last three posts over here...

Google Earth is updated and I think your numbers are off.

Heartland of America Park:
Heartland of America.JPG

Aksarben:
Aksarben.JPG

Sorry I veered off from the Leahy thread but I couldn't help noticing the contrast of the two Maha spaces. And again I love the idea of Maha coming back to the riverfront and the Heartland space maybe be optically deceptive. One component of that for me was the rendering Maha posted with people standing among trees and yet ostensibly enjoying music performed they can't see? Thanks for posting the birds eye p.o.v. And I suppose at this point there are no trees in this part of Heartland. And yes, it's just a rendering.

[Brad]

I suppose at this point there are no trees in this part of Heartland. And yes, it's just a rendering.

Its fully landscaped and sodded now. Its full of trees and grass.