Riverfront Adds More on
>HERE By Tim Trudell Travel Writer
Enjoy a game of ping pong or maybe relax gliding back-and-forth on a swing. How about roasting some marshmallows while gathered around a firepit? You can even nap on a hammock. All this and more can be had at Gene Leahy Mall at The Riverfront in Omaha. The downtown park is part of a major renovation of Omaha’s riverfront. From the Leahy park to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge crossing the Missouri River into Council Bluffs, Iowa, the riverfront features outdoor activities as well as a science center. It’s easy to spend an entire day exploring the area. Once a model of urban development, Gene Leahy Mall had grown stale over 50 years. Originally named Central Park, the entrance sloped down, below street level. It was renamed after former Mayor Gene Leahy, who saw the park as a way to revitalize downtown. From 13th Street on the western edge to 8th Street on the east, the park was in a small valley. Concrete steps at one end offered a spot for locals to enjoy lunch outdoors as they stepped away from their corporate digs for a few min-72- | ExtendedWeekendGetaways ~ January 2024
utes of nature among skyscrapers. A walking path featured sculptures and a four block-long canal, popular with ducks and geese. But, over the decades, the park lost its appeal to locals. Following its renovation, the Gene Leahy Mall reopened in 2022 as a street level attraction. A few minutes’ walk from the historic Old Market - home to dining and shopping options - the park features a walking trail taking you past contemporary art pieces, including a large head sculpture created by famed artist Jun Kaneko. Standing 16 feet tall and nine feet wide, the 6,000-lbs. feature anchors the eastern edge of the park. Walking along the canal, you may want to bring a coffee or other non-alcoholic drink and enjoy the view while sitting canalside on Adirondack chairs. The canal is a perfect spot to soak in a magnificent look at Omaha’s tall buildings.
