Riverfront Adds New Meaning to Park

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 minutes 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.

While the new-look Gene Leahy Mall at The Riverfront features a small dog park and a spot for food trucks, classic holdovers include the Arch to the Solo Building - greeting visitors at the south entrance - and the ever-popular slides. Kids of all ages (yes, even adults) enjoy climbing the stairs and zipping down the slides.

The Riverfront trail guides visitors to the Heartland of America Park, still home to a lake with its water fountain shooting 300 feet into the air. Enjoy a walk along the shoreline, as well as a gondola ride during summer months. Heartland Park features a bocce court and amphitheater for outdoor concerts. The park hosts festivals during the summer, such as Taste of Omaha, highlighting the area’s culinary scene.

Popular attractions now Include a skating ribbon; great for roller skating most of the year, and transformed to an ice skating rink during the winter. The Farnam Pier resembles a whale’s rib cage, with its arch guiding you to the river’s edge, where you can take in the views along the water or of the park.

Continuing your exploration of the riverfront takes you to Lewis and Clark Landing. This area has enjoyed a complete makeover, keeping only the boardwalk. An urban beach includes a children’s play area, sand volleyball courts and firepits.

A sculpture of Omaha (Umo Ho) tribal Chief Big Elk watches over the Missouri River. The city of Omaha is located on the tribe’s traditional homeland.

The Kiewit Luminarium celebrates the interaction of science and art along with human perceptions. Encouraging people of all ages to explore more than 100 interactive exhibits, the Luminarium covers everything from sea life to motion, light and human anatomy.

The National Park Service’s regional headquarters features a small museum with items seen during the Lewis and Clark expedition through the region, as well the flags of several Indigenous tribes.

Your Omaha riverfront experience culminates with a walk across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Almost a mile long, the bridge is one of the longest in the country connecting two states. “The Bob,” as it’s known locally, even has its own social media account (@BobTBridge on X/Twitter). “The Bob” is guarded on the Omaha side by OMAR the troll, a cute blue sculpture perfect for selfies. There’s even a splash park for visitors during summer months. Seasonal concerts are hosted near the bridge’s base. Omaha’s riverfront offers a fresh view of the city, along with a plethora of experiences. This isn’t your grandparents’ riverfront.