Omaha Exploration

Yesterday I explored some of the changes occurring at Tranquility Park. Today, let’s take a look at another parks project. This one is in north Omaha at Adams Park. Let’s start by taking a brief look at its history. 

The park was founded in 1948 as new houses were being constructed en masse in the area of 30th Street and Bedford Avenue. At that time, the city purchased 60 acres of land around John A. Creighton Boulevard. Originally named Bedford Park, the name was changed in 1954 in honor of parks enthusiast Frederick J. Adams.

The park with its gently rolling terrain and trees sits adjacent to the Malcolm X Memorial which is seeing improvements of its own. The park offers a number of amenities including a playground, picnic areas, trails, ball fields, basketball and tennis courts and open space. In recent years the city installed a pond inside the park. It is also the site of the Adams Park Community Center which hosts Camp Adams each summer and the site of historic Bedford Pumping Station.

In the works is a new trail system, bicycle playground, pump track and other amenities. It also includes the renovation of the existing trail system in north Omaha which will connect three parks and six schools. The impacted trails are the Paxton/Creighton Boulevard Trail, North Omaha Trail and the Beltline Trail. The low-maintenance trail system includes removing the asphalt and widening the trails so that they are 10 feet wide.

The trail system already utilizes the pedestrian bridge over Highway 75 at 24th and Pratt Streets. When the highway was originally built, it served as a barrier that separated communities. These trails will help reconnect those areas and allow residents to easily get to school, home as well many of the bus stops in the area. Future plans call for the extension of the trail system to connect downtown to The Riverfront, Council Bluffs and Metropolitan Community College. 

As with Tranquility Park, Trails Have Our Respect (THOR) is also involved in this project. In addition to recreation and improved transportation options, the investment is expected to spur reinvestment in the community.

I’d love to hear what you have to say so please feel free to comment. Until next time, keep exploring!

More pictures

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