Creating a Recreational Destination in Omaha

As the largest of the three parks constructed as part of Omaha’s RiverFront Revitalization project, Heartland of America Park is brimming with activities and amenities, creating a haven of leisure and fun for Omaha residents and visitors. Previously a brownfield site with overgrown greenery, hazardous materials buried onsite and limited access to the park, Heartland of America was inaccessible on several fronts. To amend these issues, HDR partnered with OJB Landscape Architecture to implement new entry points and extended greenspace that strengthen the physical link to the Missouri River and create a space where visitors can gather and enjoy the outdoors.

Year-Round Attractions

Heartland of America Park features a range of amenities to captivate and entertain visitors. In addition to extensive landscaping that supplies the park with scenic views, the park includes bocce ball courts, walking trails and a variety of other recreational activities. Garden areas provide visitors with quiet sanctuaries where visitors seeking a calmer experience can enjoy the prairie gardens spread throughout the park, which host grasses and flora native to the region. Key elements include:

• A skate ribbon, open year-round, serves ice skaters in the winter and appeals to rollerbladers in the warmer months.
• Shade structures and trellises near the boating dock resemble leaning barns and rock formations from the region known to be resilient to Omaha’s high wind patterns.
• The 200-foot Farnam Pier extends out to the Missouri River, featuring changing lights and seating that allows for river views.
• Benches beside the river offer spectacular views of the Missouri River and invite all to bask in the simple joys of nature and take pride in the river as a source of regional identity.
• Native species replaced invasive species to stabilize the riverbank and boost the local ecosystem.

Redefining Community and Connection

Heartland of America Park’s various activities and sites not only provide visitors with new entertainment and incentivize residents to connect, but also help position the RiverFront as a key destination in Omaha. “From day one, the collaborative and detailed design process has been a pillar of this endeavor, resulting in a first-of-its-kind recognition in Nebraska,” said Roger Dixon, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority. “Our community can be proud that an already award-winning park is coming to life in the heart of downtown Omaha.”

The team’s efforts have transformed Heartland of America Park into a community hub that can bring together visitors and Omaha residents.