City Parks

[Coyote]

Omaha City Council to consider millions for city parks

The Omaha City Council is being asked to spend $10 million dollars to improve 12 parks and other public spaces. More proposed projects will come later. If the city council approves the package then the money will be carved out of $112 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds the city received. In a news release, Mayor Jean Stothert said the parks department prioritized city parks and facilities for significant upgrades based on public feedback. The projects are intended to improve access and safety, upgrade park equipment, and create new opportunities for recreation. The mayor assured the public that the projects meet the federal criteria for ARPA spending.

MANDAN PARK - 6215 S 13th Street: $1.6 million
FONTENELLE PARK - 45th & Ames: $750,000
PIPAL PARK - 7770 Hascall Street: $1 million.
LYNCH PARK - 2200 S 21st Street: $3 million
PAXTON-JOHN CREIGHTON BOULEVARD TRAIL: $1 million.
HITCHCOCK PARK POOL - 5025 S 45th Street: $1 million.
ELMWOOD PARK POOL - 606 S Happy Hollow Blvd: $400,000
CLARKSON PARK - 124 N 42nd St: $125,000
KOUNTZE PARK - 3505 Florence Blvd: $250,000
PLAZA DE LA RAZA SQUARE - 24th & N: $500,000
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARK - 24th & Lake: $75,000
DREAMLAND PARK - 24th & Lizzie Robinson Avenue: $75,000

[Greg S]

I absolutely support this.

Greg

[Coyote]

Omaha City Council approves first of several planned public park projects

The Omaha City Council moved forward on the first of several significant public park projects Tuesday with approved funding to resurface a rubber playground at Clarkson Park. The $124,800 unanimously approved by council members Tuesday for the park just north of 42nd and Dodge Streets is a drop in the $10 million bucket of federal COVID-19 relief funding designated to improve the city's parks and public spaces. All nine planned park projects and three public spaces are "in motion in some form or fashion," said Matt Kalcevich, city parks director. "We're on the clock to complete these projects by the end of 2025," Kalcevich said. "We know that sounds like a long time, but these projects are getting layered in on top of everything Parks and Rec already had planned." The $10 million comes out of $112 million the City of Omaha received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

[ita]

Omaha's Lynch Park to see $3 million in renovations; Fontenelle Park's historic pavilion to be upgraded

Kelsey Stewart
Major renovations are on the way for a handful of Omaha parks, including two that just received the go-ahead from the Omaha City Council for portions of their remodels.

The City Council, at its Tuesday meeting, approved steps for Lynch Park to see a full renovation and Fontenelle Park to see a remodel of its aging pavilion structure.

Lynch Park, near 20th and Center Streets, is set to undergo $3 million in renovations. The multiphase project would include resetting the baseball fields, roads and parking lots, court spaces, open-air shelter and additional open field space.

A second phase, to be completed at a later date, would see addition of a playground, spray ground, restroom building, walking trail and additional parking. Funding for that phase hasn't been secured yet, said Matt Kalcevich, the city's parks and recreation director.

So no permanent space for the skateboarders at Lynch Park? I wonder if the City is planning a new skateboard park somewhere in east Omaha. Otherwise, are they just going to banish the skateboards after the courts are redone?

[Garrett]

Omaha's Lynch Park to see $3 million in renovations; Fontenelle Park's historic pavilion to be upgraded

Kelsey Stewart
Major renovations are on the way for a handful of Omaha parks, including two that just received the go-ahead from the Omaha City Council for portions of their remodels.

The City Council, at its Tuesday meeting, approved steps for Lynch Park to see a full renovation and Fontenelle Park to see a remodel of its aging pavilion structure.

Lynch Park, near 20th and Center Streets, is set to undergo $3 million in renovations. The multiphase project would include resetting the baseball fields, roads and parking lots, court spaces, open-air shelter and additional open field space.

A second phase, to be completed at a later date, would see addition of a playground, spray ground, restroom building, walking trail and additional parking. Funding for that phase hasn't been secured yet, said Matt Kalcevich, the city's parks and recreation director.

So no permanent space for the skateboarders at Lynch Park? I wonder if the City is planning a new skateboard park somewhere in east Omaha. Otherwise, are they just going to banish the skateboards after the courts are redone?

Aren’t there plans for a pretty big skate park on the river front

[Louie]

Omaha's Lynch Park to see $3 million in renovations; Fontenelle Park's historic pavilion to be upgraded

Kelsey Stewart
Major renovations are on the way for a handful of Omaha parks, including two that just received the go-ahead from the Omaha City Council for portions of their remodels.

The City Council, at its Tuesday meeting, approved steps for Lynch Park to see a full renovation and Fontenelle Park to see a remodel of its aging pavilion structure.

Lynch Park, near 20th and Center Streets, is set to undergo $3 million in renovations. The multiphase project would include resetting the baseball fields, roads and parking lots, court spaces, open-air shelter and additional open field space.

A second phase, to be completed at a later date, would see addition of a playground, spray ground, restroom building, walking trail and additional parking. Funding for that phase hasn't been secured yet, said Matt Kalcevich, the city's parks and recreation director.

So no permanent space for the skateboarders at Lynch Park? I wonder if the City is planning a new skateboard park somewhere in east Omaha. Otherwise, are they just going to banish the skateboards after the courts are redone?

Aren’t there plans for a pretty big skate park on the river front

It was definitely in some of the renderings. There's also one up at Millwork Commons, albeit small.

[ita]

Omaha's Lynch Park to see $3 million in renovations; Fontenelle Park's historic pavilion to be upgraded

Kelsey Stewart
Major renovations are on the way for a handful of Omaha parks, including two that just received the go-ahead from the Omaha City Council for portions of their remodels.

The City Council, at its Tuesday meeting, approved steps for Lynch Park to see a full renovation and Fontenelle Park to see a remodel of its aging pavilion structure.

Lynch Park, near 20th and Center Streets, is set to undergo $3 million in renovations. The multiphase project would include resetting the baseball fields, roads and parking lots, court spaces, open-air shelter and additional open field space.

A second phase, to be completed at a later date, would see addition of a playground, spray ground, restroom building, walking trail and additional parking. Funding for that phase hasn't been secured yet, said Matt Kalcevich, the city's parks and recreation director.

So no permanent space for the skateboarders at Lynch Park? I wonder if the City is planning a new skateboard park somewhere in east Omaha. Otherwise, are they just going to banish the skateboards after the courts are redone?

Aren’t there plans for a pretty big skate park on the river front

It was definitely in some of the renderings. There's also one up at Millwork Commons, albeit small.

There was a skate park and sport courts in some earlier renderings and plans. The skate park fell off pretty early and the sport courts later on. They even went from what looked like basketball to pickleball at one point.

However there is a grassroot effort to get one at the riverfront with endorsement from the hawk himself.

https://www.omahaskatepark.com/home

[Coyote]

Lifeguards, camp employees needed as Omaha holds hiring events

The city of Omaha's Parks Department is in the middle of its "busy season" as it tries to recruit and retain summer employees. Recreations Manager Chris Haberling says the city has roughly 350 spots to fill, and as of Tuesday, he has about 160 of those filled. "We have a big number we want to hit in order to open things the way we want to do it," Haberling said.

When Haberling first started in the department, he said they held four or five hiring events. This year they'll hold between 20 and 25. It's a move Haberling says is necessary as it's been harder to fill positions with each passing year. One thing the city has done in order to help with retaining employees is offer a raise to any employee who returns to the department from a previous season. They've also increased the hourly wage to $13 per hour for lifeguards and $14 per hour for camp employees.

[greenbuilder]

I see the city just likes to waste money! Warren Swigert golf course just got gates to lock the parking lot, how did it survive 60+ years without these!

[bigredmed1]

$13/hr to lifeguard? That seems to be a bit weak considering you can do better at Target or Walmart. A lot less training required and a lot less responsibility.

[Coyote]

Omaha summer camps hopeful for uptick in staff in the upcoming months, amid shortages



Finding enough staff to fill summer camps and programs has been an ongoing struggle all across the country. Here in Omaha, several summer camps are still waiting for more applicants. “We’re about 60 percent full of staff,” said Chris Haberling, manager with Omaha’s Parks Department. “We still need about 20 to 25 counselors until we’re fully staffed.” Some organizations only have a portion of their staff ready to help this summer.

“We are really fortunate at the YMCA,” said Tera Thomas, YMCA of Greater Omaha’s executive director of fund development. “We anticipate that one-third of our camp counselors will be returning this summer, so that does mean we have a two-thirds need of new hires to come in.” Haberling said it’s a continuous need. He has noticed a lot of people who used to apply to summer camps have moved on to other jobs. “We’d really like to get fully staffed and be able to run things,” Haberling said. Mia Jenkins with Lauritzen Gardens said its summer camps have seen an increase in volunteers. “This year we’re very fortunate; we have 6 of our 7 positions already full and applications are already coming in to fill that position,” Jenkins said.

Each organization is hoping staffing reaches pre-pandemic levels as summer approaches.

[Coyote]

Omaha Parks and Recreation holds open interview opportunities

ELKHORN, Neb. (KMTV) — You can feel it in the changing weather that summer is right around the corner and on Sunday Omaha Parks and Recreation got its summer season started early as they tried to fill hundreds of seasonal jobs. This year parks and rec says they have over 200 seasonal positions that they need to fill. Those positions range from anything from camp counselors to lifeguards. Sunday parks and rec hosted open interviews for positions, seeing dozens of candidates trying to get their next summer job.

[Coyote]

City of Omaha improving several parks with ARPA funds

The digging is underway as the City of Omaha uses $10 million of what some would call “found money” to improve parks. There are signs of life at Pipal Park at 78th and Center in Omaha. A crane digging up and dropping dirt. Mounds of rock, cylinders of piping and a Bobcat sitting in the parking lot. Raw materials and equipment are pretty much ready to go.

Other parks due for big improvements include Lynch Park near 21st and Martha in South Omaha. Workers there say they are starting to build a concession stand for the nearby baseball fields. The city will spend $3 million to improve the ball fields and create additional open space and shelters.

[ClayStreetScouser]

Curious if anyone knew more information on the future development of Fontenelle Park specifically the rumored disc golf course? Drove by again today and it just seems like no one is ever in that park for how beautiful it is.

[Busguy2010]

Curious if anyone knew more information on the future development of Fontenelle Park specifically the rumored disc golf course? Drove by again today and it just seems like no one is ever in that park for how beautiful it is.

I disc golf now and then. It seems like we're going on 5+ years since it was first rumored that Fontenelle would become a dg course. I really forgot about it.

Good to see another disc golfer here. Fun fact, if you ever go to Hummel, I built and installed the bench that's at the top of the hill at the hole 10 pad back in 2017 or 2018. Literally nobody knew I did it. I just went there last week and I'm slightly surprised it hasn't been vandalized. Lots of graffiti, but it still serves its purpose.

[ClayStreetScouser]

Curious if anyone knew more information on the future development of Fontenelle Park specifically the rumored disc golf course? Drove by again today and it just seems like no one is ever in that park for how beautiful it is.

I disc golf now and then. It seems like we're going on 5+ years since it was first rumored that Fontenelle would become a dg course. I really forgot about it.

Good to see another disc golfer here. Fun fact, if you ever go to Hummel, I built and installed the bench that's at the top of the hill at the hole 10 pad back in 2017 or 2018. Literally nobody knew I did it. I just went there last week and I'm slightly surprised it hasn't been vandalized. Lots of graffiti, but it still serves its purpose.

New to this forum but lifelong Omahan. Hummel is my home park, you are a saint for that bench btw and love that it's gotten colored here and there but mostly in taste! Yeah, I just drive by Fontenelle Park a lot and there'd be way more activity going on there if a course was made. I felt like the idea just has gone and disappeared like you say. Luckily Cunningham has had a tremendous facelift but those back 8 holes can get a bit muddy for my liking. Come summer, it'll be better than Hummels nettle and poison ivy. For those wanting a great way to get outside, explore parks and have a lil free fun, disc golf is sitting here waiting for you.

[Busguy2010]

Curious if anyone knew more information on the future development of Fontenelle Park specifically the rumored disc golf course? Drove by again today and it just seems like no one is ever in that park for how beautiful it is.

I disc golf now and then. It seems like we're going on 5+ years since it was first rumored that Fontenelle would become a dg course. I really forgot about it.

Good to see another disc golfer here. Fun fact, if you ever go to Hummel, I built and installed the bench that's at the top of the hill at the hole 10 pad back in 2017 or 2018. Literally nobody knew I did it. I just went there last week and I'm slightly surprised it hasn't been vandalized. Lots of graffiti, but it still serves its purpose.

New to this forum but lifelong Omahan. Hummel is my home park, you are a saint for that bench btw and love that it's gotten colored here and there but mostly in taste! Yeah, I just drive by Fontenelle Park a lot and there'd be way more activity going on there if a course was made. I felt like the idea just has gone and disappeared like you say. Luckily Cunningham has had a tremendous facelift but those back 8 holes can get a bit muddy for my liking. Come summer, it'll be better than Hummels nettle and poison ivy. For those wanting a great way to get outside, explore parks and have a lil free fun, disc golf is sitting here waiting for you.

Right on! Hummel is my favorite as well. I used to go there 3+ times a week, but don't have as much time now. Everybody got exhausted in the summer climbing from 8 to 10 so I knew a bench would be welcomed. I actually tried to ask some park officials if I could put a bench in, but it went nowhere, so I just did it incognito. I guess it was alright.

Since Cunningham became a full 18 a few years ago, it has stolen me because it's closer to me and you can let it rip a bit more than at Hummel. I love em both though.

But yeah, disc golf is great fun!

[Brad]

𝐏𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒
We have come to the difficult decision that Camelot Pool will not open for the 2026 summer season due to a significant mechanical issue. During pre-season startup, the pool’s filtration tank experienced a mechanical failure and is currently beyond repair.

We will also have delayed openings for Gallagher Pool and Zorinsky Pool due to unforeseen maintenance needs. Both facilities will remain closed until all necessary repairs are completed and safety and operational standards are fully met.
We’re excited to share that Hanscom Pool will open earlier than scheduled on June 1! Please visit our website to find a full list of City of Omaha Pools: https://ow.ly/QgHq50Z4Yl4

[almighty_tuna]

Camelot Pool will not open for the 2026 summer season