Heartland of America Park

[thenewguy]

Just saw a post on Facebook, that for the ice skating season (which started Nov 22nd)they had 48,000 skaters. From Christmas day to New Year's Day, they had over 11,500 skaters for the week.

Those are some impressive numbers. (I am not sure but guessing this is just the number of skaters, so the number of people down there was probably higher)

we attempted to try to go a few times but the place was bustling with people every time. I'm not sad about it (I can't skate) but was glad to see so many people were utilizing it. That is another scenario where detractors may have thought it was a dumb idea to put one in, but then once it was there, the public reaction was phenomenal

[skinzfan23]

Yes, on busy days you had to reserve a time slot to skate. I thought they did a good job communicating through social media.

[nebport5]

I wouldn't hold my breathe on the rail lines being re-routed. One thing to keep in mind is if C.B. is able to green light the streetcar extension the a new bridge would likely go somewhere in this area. One rendering showed a new bridge just south of 480. That would likely mean the existing pedestrian bridge linking Heartland and Lewis & Clark would have to be removed. A new pedestrian route would have to be worked out perhaps integrated with a new streetcar bridge. Under this scenario perhaps a revised incarnation of the former Grand Lawn idea could considered here. The new parks were not designed with a streetcar running through Heartland Park so some concessions to the existing design would have to be made.

Ok, so its a bit ambiguous in the rendering you referred to.

Indeed. It would be some feat of engineering to not sacrifice some newly constructed parts of the park or the pedestrian bridge.

[Renovator2559]

Just saw a post on Facebook, that for the ice skating season (which started Nov 22nd)they had 48,000 skaters. From Christmas day to New Year's Day, they had over 11,500 skaters for the week.

Those are some impressive numbers. (I am not sure but guessing this is just the number of skaters, so the number of people down there was probably higher)

we attempted to try to go a few times but the place was bustling with people every time. I'm not sad about it (I can't skate) but was glad to see so many people were utilizing it. That is another scenario where detractors may have thought it was a dumb idea to put one in, but then once it was there, the public reaction was phenomenal

It doesn't matter if the weather is 40 degrees, like I took here several weeks ago. People are fully utilizing the park, the children's playgrounds even at night, has children playing. Other parks don't have children playing in the parks at night because either they are not lighted or are as safe.

Even in the cold days, I see more people utilizing the parks more than in the Summer in Tulsas riverfront, which is 20 blocks away from their downtown, tucked right next to a residential neighborhood.

It brings me happiness every time I see people having a good time in the parks, no matter the elements.
Those detractors are being shown how their thinking needs to change and how the downtown and the Old Market are benefiting a lot from the foot traffic.

[Renovator2559]

Just out of the airport I went to downtown area, I was so energized at how many people were in downtown! It just brings a smile to me that I can't contain on how beautiful it is to see our people have a good time in the downtown area. I love seeing posses of 5 bikes in a row and how people take advantage of the heartland bike share. I can't say how grateful I am, that private donors funded these parks. Now every part of each park look like storybooks of people of all types and family sizes, making memories. I see so many strollers and wheelchairs, the ADA consideration was a great move in the planning process.

I also went on Sunday and holy cow both days were packed!

It was a big contrast to my week long visit to LA, DTLA had people but it was sparse, Santa Monica had very few people and only Hollywood was the biggest draw and still not packed.
I did hear from the locals, that the weather of 50-55 was bad.

















The lagoon area is where people are spread out more, for those that need more space.

[skinzfan23]

These pictures were taken on Tuesday night? That is awesome for a weeknight. I didn't get any pictures of the crowd from Sunday, but the whole area was packed, but like I mentioned in the other thread, nothing that wasn't manageable and because the area is so big it didn't feel crowded except for the playground next to the Luminarium. That area was a little overcrowded, but just great to see people of all walks of life out enjoying downtown.

I mentioned to my wife, previous attempts to activate the space near the river were almost non-existent in achieving their goal. Usually you would see a few scattered people on the boardwalk heading towards the pedestrian bridge but nothing like this. Again, thank you to all the donors that made this possible. Developers need to really capitalize on this and get going.

[Doctor Fate]

Just out of the airport I went to downtown area, I was so energized at how many people were in downtown! It just brings a smile to me that I can't contain on how beautiful it is to see our people have a good time in the downtown area. I love seeing posses of 5 bikes in a row and how people take advantage of the heartland bike share. I can't say how grateful I am, that private donors funded these parks. Now every part of each park look like storybooks of people of all types and family sizes, making memories. I see so many strollers and wheelchairs, the ADA consideration was a great move in the planning process.

I also went on Sunday and holy cow both days were packed!

It was a big contrast to my week long visit to LA, DTLA had people but it was sparse, Santa Monica had very few people and only Hollywood was the biggest draw and still not packed.
I did hear from the locals, that the weather of 50-55 was bad.

Awesome pics. There's a lot of demographics in those pictures too, which is great to see!

I stayed in Downtown LA for a trip last August and relatively, there were not many people out and about. Rodeo Drive and the surrounding area in Beverly Hills was pretty packed though.

[ita]

Developers need to really capitalize on this and get going.

This cannot be overstated. There is an opportunity to capitalize on the parks bringing in hundreds of people, not just people, but people walking/strolling. I think added retail space near the parks is needed yesterday. I am still hoping Hines reveals a revamped Mercantile plan with added retail options and denser development.

[Kminustwo]

Does anybody know what happened to the gondola rides at the lake? I thought when the city was redoing the park they planned for these right? Or no.

[GrowUpFrances]

I was walking through the park this week and the gondola was out on the lake with people. Maybe it’s just not in use this weekend with Midwest Fest going on? Would be surprised if it wasn’t available for CWS next weekend.

[BRoss]

I was walking through the park this week and the gondola was out on the lake with people. Maybe it’s just not in use this weekend with Midwest Fest going on? Would be surprised if it wasn’t available for CWS next weekend.

I also saw it a couple weeks ago during Taste of Omaha.

[skinzfan23]

They better get some water on the grass, after the festival there this past weekend and with the hot upcoming weather....its looking pretty sad right now.

[Renovator2559]

And yet again Lewis and Clark with proper solid concrete, with a good view was not even used.
I also found it odd how they walled of half of Hearland of America, no one could go into the lagoon during Midwest fest.

If there are no plans to use Lewis and Clark Landing concrete area for events, they might as well install either more sports courts, or a barbecue campfire area, or just turn the area into a landscaped green area because at its current state, this area is underutilized.

[GrowUpFrances]

And yet again Lewis and Clark with proper solid concrete, with a good view was not even used.
I also found it odd how they walled of half of Hearland of America, no one could go into the lagoon during Midwest fest.

If there are no plans to use Lewis and Clark Landing concrete area for events, they might as well install either more sports courts, or a barbecue campfire area, or just turn the area into a landscaped green area because at its current state, this area is underutilized.

Agreed. It is the only area of the Riverfront redevelopment that isn't vibrant with activity. It's as if the Kiewit donors wanted an unobstructed view of the Luminarium from CB or something. I don't get it. Put some fountains for kids to run through or more courts or something.

[Brad]

And yet again Lewis and Clark with proper solid concrete, with a good view was not even used.
I also found it odd how they walled of half of Hearland of America, no one could go into the lagoon during Midwest fest.

If there are no plans to use Lewis and Clark Landing concrete area for events, they might as well install either more sports courts, or a barbecue campfire area, or just turn the area into a landscaped green area because at its current state, this area is underutilized.

Agreed. It is the only area of the Riverfront redevelopment that isn't vibrant with activity. It's as if the Kiewit donors wanted an unobstructed view of the Luminarium from CB or something. I don't get it. Put some fountains for kids to run through or more courts or something.

It looked cool the one time they had a stage set up back there, but only saw that on opening weekend, 2023.

[ita]

And yet again Lewis and Clark with proper solid concrete, with a good view was not even used.
I also found it odd how they walled of half of Hearland of America, no one could go into the lagoon during Midwest fest.

If there are no plans to use Lewis and Clark Landing concrete area for events, they might as well install either more sports courts, or a barbecue campfire area, or just turn the area into a landscaped green area because at its current state, this area is underutilized.

Agreed. It is the only area of the Riverfront redevelopment that isn't vibrant with activity. It's as if the Kiewit donors wanted an unobstructed view of the Luminarium from CB or something. I don't get it. Put some fountains for kids to run through or more courts or something.

It looked cool the one time they had a stage set up back there, but only saw that on opening weekend, 2023.

Whenever I see that part of the parks I think they should have put some space for some commercial development. Even something for retail stands for food vendors or something, kind of like what they do on boardwalks. Easily the most unexciting part of the parks. I wonder if it has to do with flood zone? It was reported that permits were pending from the US Army Corp of Engineers for the pickleball courts on the north of the Luminarium.

[NEDodger]

And yet again Lewis and Clark with proper solid concrete, with a good view was not even used.
I also found it odd how they walled of half of Hearland of America, no one could go into the lagoon during Midwest fest.

If there are no plans to use Lewis and Clark Landing concrete area for events, they might as well install either more sports courts, or a barbecue campfire area, or just turn the area into a landscaped green area because at its current state, this area is underutilized.

Agreed. It is the only area of the Riverfront redevelopment that isn't vibrant with activity. It's as if the Kiewit donors wanted an unobstructed view of the Luminarium from CB or something. I don't get it. Put some fountains for kids to run through or more courts or something.

It looked cool the one time they had a stage set up back there, but only saw that on opening weekend, 2023.

Whenever I see that part of the parks I think they should have put some space for some commercial development. Even something for retail stands for food vendors or something, kind of like what they do on boardwalks. Easily the most unexciting part of the parks. I wonder if it has to do with flood zone? It was reported that permits were pending from the US Army Corp of Engineers for the pickleball courts on the north of the Luminarium.

I think that’s exactly it vis-a-vis permanent retail. But no reason this shouldn’t be utilized for Taste of Omaha, etc..

[BRoss]

Moved the Tacos and Tequila Festival to its own thread.

[Brad]

Anyone know if the fountain is on yet this year?

[nebport5]

Anyone know if the fountain is on yet this year?

Not that I've seen as of this week. Maybe it starts May 1st?

[Brad]

Anyone know if the fountain is on yet this year?

Not that I've seen as of this week. Maybe it starts May 1st?

Talked to my contact at MECA, they will be working on it next week and should be running by the weekend.

I photographed it last year on April 23rd and it was running. I figured with Berkshire next weekend, it had to be soon.

[Brad]

There are guys out working on the fountain today.

[Brad]

One from last night.

1.

20260503881A6217.jpg

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[BRoss]

The colors of the fountain with that sky look really cool!

[Brad]

A couple photos from tonight. Not a lot of places to shoot the fountain where the Mutual Tower doesn't block the FNBO tower.

1.

20260820881A5507.jpg

2.

20260820881A5543.jpg

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[ItsAllAboutMe]

Great photo's as usual. What color are the lights outlining the MOB? White or Blue?

[nebport5]

Great photo's as usual. What color are the lights outlining the MOB? White or Blue?

Yes, great shots already. Can't wait to see this p.o.v. with the rest of Mutual all lit up.

The lights are a very pale blue or a blueish white.

[thenewguy]

I think this was discussed in years past, but didn't the fountain used to shoot like 400' in the air? Nothing wrong with how it is now, just a curiosity of mine

[Stan]

It definitely used to go much higher. I recall it being visible from the Old Market easily.

[Brad]

Thanks everyone.

I think the lights are white, but the they are inside the glass so they look blue, especially when it’s not dark. You can see the blue better in the two photos I posted in the mutual thread.

The fountain did go much higher before the remodel. They said, last night, it went really high twice while I was down there. It was so high those two times it would have been out of the frame in both these photos. It only stayed up that high for a couple seconds each time.

[nebport5]

Thanks everyone.

I think the lights are white, but the they are inside the glass so they look blue, especially when it’s not dark. You can see the blue better in the two photos I posted in the mutual thread.

The fountain did go much higher before the remodel. They said, last night, it went really high twice while I was down there. It was so high those two times it would have been out of the frame in both these photos. It only stayed up that high for a couple seconds each time.

That makes sense. They look good and I'm curious to see if they do the same on the West side.

[omahahawk]

Thanks everyone.

I think the lights are white, but the they are inside the glass so they look blue, especially when it’s not dark. You can see the blue better in the two photos I posted in the mutual thread.

The fountain did go much higher before the remodel. They said, last night, it went really high twice while I was down there. It was so high those two times it would have been out of the frame in both these photos. It only stayed up that high for a couple seconds each time.

That makes sense. They look good and I'm curious to see if they do the same on the West side.

I hope so.

[Renovator2559]

Found these. This is the best videos on the opening day of Heartland of America Park.

This is a great storybook of the opening day.


Lewis and Clark on opening day.




This is a nice one of talented skaters enjoying the Skate Ribbon


Skate Ribbon from a distance