An Amazing Amble Through the New and Improved Gene Leahy Mall in Omaha

To enlarge video, click on the [ ] link on the lower right side of the viewing window.

A friend and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather on Monday and did some exploring at the re-imagined Gene Leahy Mall in Downtown Omaha. I have to say I was completely blown away by the park. It is AMAZING! There is something for all ages. The kids can enjoy lots of slides in different sizes and numerous inventive and adaptive play structures. There are covered picnic pavilions in several areas, several modern and beautiful sculptures, a large band shell area for concerts, and plenty of cozy places with different types of seating to visit with friends. There are even several areas with hammocks to take a lovely nap. There are benches by the water with a view of a video art wall, two sturdy ping pong tables, two dog parks, and (my favorite) a large set of “big kid” swings. They were especially fun but maybe I’m just a kid at heart. I hope so, because I try to cultivate the sense of wonder and awe of a kid everyday (while still being a responsible adult).

The park was inviting, colorful, inventive, playful, and extremely functional. It totally made me feel like a kid again. It’s a great place to walk (I got in two miles), read, play, swing, picnic, ponder, and rest. I even saw a grown man try the larger slides himself. He was not with kids, but was surely enjoying his best life! 😎

The thing I like best about the new park is that even though it is large, it is specifically designed to feel intimate and cozy. At times you can even forget you are in downtown Omaha with bustling traffic nearby. It really is well-done. Oh, and there is a Little Free Library that is practically empty. I made a visit to the Goodwill Store today and intend to fix that! 😉 It would be a fabulous place to stroll and sit down with a book or let your kids play and then read them a book while they have a snack or rest a bit. See what I did there? The librarian in me just took a little bird walk. 🤷‍♀️ Go check out the park before the weather turns colder!