Heartland of America Park

The Heartland of America Park is a public park located at 800 Douglas Street in downtown Omaha, Nebraska USA. The 31-acre park is situated between Interstate 680 and the Missouri River, and is adjacent to Gene Leahy Mall and the Old Market. [Roberts-Gudeman, K. and Proskocil, N. (2004) [http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1458&u_sid=1131970 "A walk on the riverfront"] , "Omaha World Herald." June 27, 2004. Retrieved 2/18/08.]

History

The area where the park sits has been the site of exploration, expansion and now, recreation. Lewis and Clark reportedly discovered conspicuous earthen mounds when they explored the location in 1804. Historians speculate the mounds may have been natural or the remains of an Otoe village. [(2007) [http://www.omahahistory.org/History%20at%20a%20Glance%209-2007.pdf "History at a Glance"] , Douglas County Historical Society. Retrieved 2/18/08.] Opened in 1990, the park was built on land recovered after the controversial demolition of the Jobbers Canyon Historic District. The area, filled with warehouses dating to the 1870s, was integral to the growth and development of Omaha. [ [http://unotv.unomaha.edu/omahaswII/program.html "Omaha Since World War II"] , University of Nebraska at Omaha TV. Retrieved 2/18/08.]

About

Along with the lake the park features a paved walking trail encircling area. There are three fountains, including a large, modern, $1.5 million dollar computerized fountain that projects water 300 feet into the air and features a nighttime light show. The lake has a tour boat named the "General Marion", with rides available in the summertime, and resident swans named Romeo and Juliet in honor of the play. There is also a monument to the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition, and the late 1800s Waterworks Fountain, once located at the Webster Station, a railroad depot in North Omaha. The park is the site of the annual Taste of Omaha event. [ [http://www.showofficeonline.com/taste_of_omaha_exhibitor_info.htm Taste of Omaha] . Retrieved 2/18/08.]

The headquarters of ConAgra Foods are on the south end of the lake, [Omaha Trails - South Riverfront Trail [http://www.omahatrails.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=39] ] and recently, after initially cutting off access to the south end of the park, ConAgra opened the walking path all the way around the lake. [Boyle, A. [http://www.omahacityweekly.com/article.php?id=3172 "A healthy choice"] , "The City Weekly." Retrieved 2/18/08.]

ee also

* Parks in Omaha, Nebraska

References

External links

* [http://www.historicomaha.com/fountain.jpgModern photo of the Waterworks Fountain]