Fontenelle Park
In the late 1940s, this 108-acre park made headlines across the country as the possible home of a minor league baseball team. But neighborhood opposition ended the dream before it started.
The development project would bring in new residents who love the area without pushing lower-income families to a different part of the city (which doesn’t fix anything). It also creates opportunities for local people. A great post ahead.
The History of Fontenelle Park
In the past, the smack of a baseball bat was almost all that separated North Omaha’s Fontenelle Park from being home to the city’s first stadium. That did not come to pass, however, as neighbors rejected the idea of a major sports complex there in 1940.
This 108-acre park has been used for recreational activities and is named after Logan Fontenelle, an interpreter and member of the Umonhon (Omaha) Tribe who was the grandson of Chief Big Elk. A four-piece sculpture series honors his legacy. It was designed by Trudy Swanson and is positioned at the park’s four directional points. The lagoon at the park is a natural feature that collects local runoff and stormwater through a few street inlets during wet weather. This is part of the city’s strategy to reduce its combined sewer overflows and protect the Missouri River.
The Points of Interest
Fontenelle Park is a North Omaha neighborhood park with a hidden baseball legacy. The 1939 American Legion World Series was held there along Ames Street. The area is a great place to take a stroll and enjoy the nature in the area.
Besides offering recreational activities, the area also hosts several community events. Some of the highlights include Native Omaha Days, an annual celebration that showcases the culture of the African-American community in North Omaha.
The city has been making changes to the park recently, closing the golf course and adding many new elements. These include walking trails, more picnic areas, and an ADA-accessible path. It has also been renovated to include a water-blasting spray park and a new lagoon. The city plans to continue improving the park in the future. Browse around this site.
The Recreational Activities
The metro Omaha area offers a wide range of recreational activities. These include the city’s beautiful parks, which provide an opportunity for physical activity and relaxation in nature. The parks showcase the region’s commitment to preservation and conservation. Among the most popular is Fontenelle Park, a natural setting where tourists can enjoy hiking, walking, and other outdoor activities.
It is also home to the Baright Gallery, which exhibits local, regional, and national art, and the Raptor Woodland Refuge. In addition, the park has 24 miles of trails, a mile-long ADA-accessible boardwalk, and a natural playscape.
The park is a great place for hiking, jogging, and biking. Omaha has more than 85 miles of paved trails, including those around Zorinsky Lake and in many local parks.
The Weather
In addition to the stunning forest, Fontenelle Park offers tourists a host of other attractions and activities. These include the Baright Gallery, natural trails, a tidal pond and play area, a Tree Rush obstacle course, and a Raptor village.
The park also has a lagoon designed to capture and store stormwater runoff. It is the centerpiece of the park’s green infrastructure and serves as a solution to the city’s sewage/stormwater management challenges.
The lagoon’s 29 acre-feet of storage is sufficient to handle excess stormwater during significant wet weather events, which can overflow sanitary sewers and untreated wastewater into local rivers and streams. As such, the project is an important part of Omaha’s effort to reduce combined sewage overflows.
The Park’s Location
Fontenelle Park is located at the northern edge of North Omaha. It is home to a lagoon, a playground, and long paths that you can walk along. It is a great place to take a relaxing stroll in the evening or spend some time with family and friends.
The park’s land was purchased in 1893 in accordance with a grand parks and boulevards schema for the city drafted by renowned parks designer Horace Cleveland.
Besides its recreational features, it offers a variety of educational opportunities. These include early childhood programs that serve children and their parents; extensive school district partnerships; and scouting and nature camps. In addition, the park has a full-time staff that manages the forest and conducts prescribed burns and restoration activities. Up next is Benson Park.
Driving directions from Panneton Dental Group to Fontenelle Park
Driving directions from Fontenelle Park to Benson Park