Plans unveiled for 'Lincoln's central park'
They say it’ll be like New York City’s Central Park.
Like Chicago’s Millennium Park.
And while it won’t be as big or famous as those, it’ll be one of the biggest park projects in the city’s history.
Lincoln’s parks director has taken to calling it “Lincoln’s central park.”
The six-acre park that is the centerpiece of the Antelope Valley Project is no longer just a shaded area on a map with some vague ideas about what it might look like someday.
This yet-to-be-named park will wind its way from O to R streets — in the heart of Antelope Valley. The new park will be crisscrossed with walking paths and punctuated by waterfalls, water fountains, sculptures, water slides and an amphitheater.
And of course, the centerpiece: a free-flowing Antelope Creek.
Lots of retaining walls will buttress gathering spaces, and the walls may be imprinted with quotes from Nebraska authors. Walking paths may be imprinted with raccoon footprints.
Water will be the theme.
“We want to celebrate water in this park,” parks director Lynn Johnson said.
The park is expected to be built in 2009-2010.
2015 Vision — a private group of business leaders supporting 10 pillars they believe are key to the city’s future — has committed to raising $3.1 million of the total $7.6 million park price tag. One donor already has pledged $1.5 million toward the park.
The city will kick in about $3 million of the cost. A community fundraising campaign for the park will begin in March to raise the remaining $1.5 million.
That will be enough money to build and maintain the park “forever,” according to Susan Larson Rodenburg, fundraising campaign organizer for the Lincoln Parks Foundation.
The amphitheater area will provide a place for art and music festivals that now are consigned to downtown streets.
Rich Bailey — retired chairman of marketing and communications company Bailey Lauerman and a member of a 2015 Vision committee — said the park should be a catalyst for development on both sides of the park, from corporate headquarters to condos to businesses to restaurants.
The Clark Enersen Partners and Olsson Associates came up with plans for what the park will look like.
Larson Rodenburg said Lincoln is already ahead of many cities that are building parks and creating more parkland, but this latest addition will be “so unique to our system.”
Johnson described it as “a place of discovery, gathering and celebration.”
Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.
Like Chicago’s Millennium Park.
And while it won’t be as big or famous as those, it’ll be one of the biggest park projects in the city’s history.
Lincoln’s parks director has taken to calling it “Lincoln’s central park.”
The six-acre park that is the centerpiece of the Antelope Valley Project is no longer just a shaded area on a map with some vague ideas about what it might look like someday.
This yet-to-be-named park will wind its way from O to R streets — in the heart of Antelope Valley. The new park will be crisscrossed with walking paths and punctuated by waterfalls, water fountains, sculptures, water slides and an amphitheater.
And of course, the centerpiece: a free-flowing Antelope Creek.
Lots of retaining walls will buttress gathering spaces, and the walls may be imprinted with quotes from Nebraska authors. Walking paths may be imprinted with raccoon footprints.
Water will be the theme.
“We want to celebrate water in this park,” parks director Lynn Johnson said.
The park is expected to be built in 2009-2010.
2015 Vision — a private group of business leaders supporting 10 pillars they believe are key to the city’s future — has committed to raising $3.1 million of the total $7.6 million park price tag. One donor already has pledged $1.5 million toward the park.
The city will kick in about $3 million of the cost. A community fundraising campaign for the park will begin in March to raise the remaining $1.5 million.
That will be enough money to build and maintain the park “forever,” according to Susan Larson Rodenburg, fundraising campaign organizer for the Lincoln Parks Foundation.
The amphitheater area will provide a place for art and music festivals that now are consigned to downtown streets.
Rich Bailey — retired chairman of marketing and communications company Bailey Lauerman and a member of a 2015 Vision committee — said the park should be a catalyst for development on both sides of the park, from corporate headquarters to condos to businesses to restaurants.
The Clark Enersen Partners and Olsson Associates came up with plans for what the park will look like.
Larson Rodenburg said Lincoln is already ahead of many cities that are building parks and creating more parkland, but this latest addition will be “so unique to our system.”
Johnson described it as “a place of discovery, gathering and celebration.”
Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.
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