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Plans unveiled for 'Lincoln's central park'

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By DENNA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Nov 26, 2007 - 12:13:52 am CST

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.

Story Photo
Rich Bailey

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Plans for Lincoln's Central Park and Trago Park

Courtesy of The Clark Enersen Partners...

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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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Wonderful! wrote on November 26, 2007 1:16 am:
" Lincoln's downtown is great and has so much potential to get better. This will create a natural "border" of sorts on the east side and make downtown feel like a more cohesive area. Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen. I can't wait to see it. "

 Boondoggle wrote on November 26, 2007 3:09 am:
" They say, "The city will kick in about $3 million", which is of course a lie. It's their way of saying that the taxpayers have to foot that 3 mill. "

 Hood winked wrote on November 26, 2007 5:24 am:
" The water in this park will look dirty. Sounds like a great eyesour waiting to happen. "

 Vision Plus wrote on November 26, 2007 6:08 am:
" Central Park is a large public, urbanr park (843 acres, 3.41 km², 1.32 mi²; a rectangle 2.5 statute miles by 0.5 statute mile, or 4 km × 800 m) in the borough of Manhattan in New York City It is a shame the State Fair Park is not conserved as a part of a plan to build a much admired green space. I cannot hope for or imagine NYC destroying their treasure with a university building project, neither should Lincol.n and NE hand over their treasured park to developers. Six acres is a small step, hardly the full space needed "

 ed wrote on November 26, 2007 6:14 am:
" I still want to know where all this great looking water is going to come from? Where is the dam going to be to make this look like they keep showing us. "

 Carrin wrote on November 26, 2007 6:50 am:
" Lincoln might have a “size” problem, but let us not be fooling ourselves into a false sense of achievement! This is the type of neighborhood development we should strive for as common, not a centerpiece of what open space is; If you want to be viewed as a “city” then act as one. This is not a monumental project that stands up to standards mentioned : Chicago and NYC. Who in planning would call a closet a ballroom? "

 Mike in DC wrote on November 26, 2007 7:03 am:
" Good stuff. These are the types of pieces necessary to lure today's highly-paid professionals and others creating jobs to a city. Wilderness Park type places aren't just for the outskirts; but they should easily be walkable and bikealbe to and from downtown or from satellite towncenters. But the spin on this whole process from AVP to UNL's Tech Park ideas should be to help bring in better jobs to bring the tax burden down on individuals. Ya'll need to do a better job of selling these projects to the the public. "

 Tina wrote on November 26, 2007 7:32 am:
" Is this article illustrating a central theme that to grow with sophisticated cities you need outside consultants? Dysfunctional proportion and spatial awareness are coded into this read. Should Lincoln wear blinders in the competition with other cities? "

 Doubting Taxpayer wrote on November 26, 2007 7:50 am:
" A six acre park! The floodplain of Antelope Creek opened up! For this, a mountain of tax money has been laid out. Meanwhile, six acres of floodplain at 10th and Military Road could be all but given away by Mayor and the Urban Development Director. Right on Salt Creek. We can't afford to pay the costs for the new park on Antelope Creek with tax money. Meanwhile, park maintenance is neglected. Who is running this operation? It makes me dizzy. "

 No point to it wrote on November 26, 2007 7:51 am:
" It'll all look very nice. But leave out the amphitheatre. We have one already, it's Pinewood Bowl. And It's severely under-utilized because of the lack of cojones in City government. Just imagine the hue and cry of the inconvenienced following the first and only open air concert in that densely packed neighborhood. And then the Council deciding shortly thereafter to never again issue a permit. "

 llb wrote on November 26, 2007 8:07 am:
" Insane. Plenty of walls for gang graffiti and vandalism. What in the world are they thinking? "

 CSS wrote on November 26, 2007 8:16 am:
" Awesome, good work. "

 JT wrote on November 26, 2007 8:27 am:
" This sounds pretty awesome. Can't wait to see it done. "

 Lindsay wrote on November 26, 2007 8:53 am:
" Can't believe all the negativity! Places like Millenium Park is utilized by locals and visitors...and are the types of spaces that lure people to downtown. In the whole scheme of things three million isn't all that much for a space everyone can enjoy. But many Lincolnites are too tightfisted to give up their 3 cents a year for something that would beautify the community. "

 ALW wrote on November 26, 2007 8:54 am:
" Ya gotta love those liberals and their crazy pipe dreams. "

 Tax-payer. wrote on November 26, 2007 9:20 am:
" O NOES! Improvement takes money! I never want to pay anything out of my own pocket but I'm going to complain when my city doesn't look as nice as others! WAH! "

 Allisha wrote on November 26, 2007 10:08 am:
" This is wonderful news and I would love to support the plan but where is all this money going to come from? New jail? Millions. Move fairgrounds? Millions. Build UNL research center? Multi-millions.The University had to again raise tuition this year even with an increase in state tax support. New park? Millions.We currently have a state surplus of funds but no money for ANY new or rebuilt highways. The legislature is considering ways to increase the highway budget including higher gas tax. Millions. The city cannot afford upkeep on our current parks or streets. We will need more new schools. We have a surplus of new mini-retail stores vacant? We have a surplus of new and used homes for sale. The retail sales are down in stores therefore sales tax is down. The stock market is flat, oil is $100 and the value of the dollar is falling. Our export markets are negative. We are facing a recession. I only ask who will pay or where will the money come from? These ideas are great but words dimish truths. SHOW ME THE MONEY if you are posting and strongly in support! "

 Nathan wrote on November 26, 2007 10:17 am:
" I'm looking forward to it. I'd like to know how we'll pay for new fountains when we can't even upkeep and run the ones on Centenial Mall. "

 FLOWING WATER wrote on November 26, 2007 10:23 am:
" I know, lets pump the water from the Teresa Street treament plant to the south and let it 'finish' cleaning itself as it rolls down through the park towards salt creek, then we are also a 'green' community with our water treatment and we have flowing water in our 'park'!! "

 Love it wrote on November 26, 2007 11:07 am:
" This will be a fabulous addition to Lincoln. When you think that future generations will be able to enjoy this park they way we enjoy Pioneers Park or Wilderness Park today, the pricetag is not out of line. I would prefer to have our festivals and events in a park instead of downtown. "

 another project with no money wrote on November 26, 2007 11:23 am:
" The city has been claiming for 5 years or more that Centennial Mall needs to be redone. There is no money for that project. But lets start another one with no funds. "

 C'mon! wrote on November 26, 2007 11:27 am:
" How 'bout some tax relief not tax increase? "

 over 60 wrote on November 26, 2007 11:28 am:
" I consider myself somewhat liberal but this this is just another white elephant for the taxpayers to pay for. Heck, with lincoln just float another bond. It will take our unborn grandchildren to pay off the debt both the federal and local governments are putting on the taxpayers. With omaha only 40 miles away, lincoln will still be a short visit town. Omaha has the river, several interstates close by, an airport worth driving to , and a population to cover such costs. I for one don't want to give another penny to the pipe dreams of developers who will get filty rich on these projects. "

 Matt wrote on November 26, 2007 11:52 am:
" This is a great idea. Three million for a decent size park in the downtown area is a bargain. As long as the park design comes out tastefully. It's true, you need beautiful community spaces to encourage companies to move their high-paying jobs to this city. Lincoln doesn't have to do exactly what others are doing, but it has to do something to make it more attractive. Especially since the football team isn't relevant anymore. "

 James wrote on November 26, 2007 11:56 am:
" This park, like so many other projects being discussed, sounds nice and is surely very well-intentioned. But who is going to pay for it? Does "the city" mean the tax-paying populace of Lincoln and Lancaster county? We have got to establish priorities and ask ourselves if we can afford every plan that comes down the pipe from the people who dream up ideas like this one. Perhaps the members of the 2015 Vision committee can afford projects of this magnitude. Can the average joes who are trying to make a living for their families afford such a park? What of the elderly on fixed incomes having additional tax burdens placed upon them? And would the members of the 2015 Vision committee be so enthusiastic if the park were to be located in their more affluent neighborhoods? (Always a telling factor!) Perhaps it's time for calm consideration of how much a park like this will end up costing everyone, now and in the future, in our fair city? It is a wonderful idea; but are there better ways to spend the money for the citizens of Lincoln? Thanks for reading. "

 Eric wrote on November 26, 2007 12:08 pm:
" I think this is a great concept, would love to see it happen, and I would also like to get fired at my job and recieve 3 million in severance. So lets be realistic - the City has not kept up with staff and infrastructure needs of existing park resources, has cut FTE positions in P&R, eliminated tree planting monies, will have a red budget next fiscal year and now we should be excited about this new opportunity? Lets put a priority of taking care of what we have now before we start something new. "

 Questions? wrote on November 26, 2007 12:13 pm:
" Has the 'traffic' flow has been well thought out. Moving all of the traffic from Q, P, & R to Vine and O might be more than those streets can handle. They are already sufficiently busy at rush hour. I see one Restroom Bldg on the North side of the park . .where are the rest of the restroom facilities? "

 mike wrote on November 26, 2007 12:15 pm:
" whats the crime rate in this neighborhood, what happens after the day people leave and night falls I question the money and location "

 myopinion wrote on November 26, 2007 12:26 pm:
" I love parks, and the ones we already have. I wouldn't have an issue with building another one, except that when I take my kids to the ones we have already, I can sit and name off a ton of different ways to improve them. If they want to pull in other cities to help us, since getting the publics' thoughts and opinions are unheard of, then why don't they research other activity type structures that teens thru adulthood could enjoy together? We keep promoting that more is better, while what we already have is being neglected for improvement. Frustrating. "

 lillian wald wrote on November 26, 2007 12:29 pm:
" this sounds really great. it's so sad that so many people have to look for the negative. "

 Jen wrote on November 26, 2007 1:00 pm:
" Why don't they take all that money and rather than wasting it on a park, donate it to some very worthy organizations that truly represent Lincoln, like the Friendship Home or Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Heartland? "

 Rick from Idaho wrote on November 26, 2007 1:11 pm:
" maybe we could do some whitewater rafting and snowsking on the slopes..........cmon, it's a slo flo creek and is not a feasible recreational site.......is this a dream and vision by a delusionary corn-fed group of wanna-be's?....take a deep breath and wake up from your fantasy land ramblings........just makes me shake my head and wonder what the heck they are drinking........creek water would be my guess, and it is not from the fountain of youth........ "

 Good work... wrote on November 26, 2007 1:23 pm:
" Lincoln needs something to compete with Omaha and accelerate economic growth. This is a great idea. Way to be proactive! "

 T4acres wrote on November 26, 2007 1:25 pm:
" I would love to get excited about this, but as others have commented, Lincoln can't currently take care of Centennial Mall, so it's hard to believe that this new project would be maintained either. I understand that Centennial Mall involves some power struggle between the City and the State, but it has become an embarrassing eyesore when just a few years ago it was a source of pride. If the "City" (taxpayers) can pony up 3 million for this new project, could we possibly scrape up enough to rebuild Centennial Mall first? "

 Kelly wrote on November 26, 2007 1:31 pm:
" DUMBEST IDEA EVER. It looks like P and Q streets will be blocked off. GREAT IDEA, lets put MORE traffic on O Street. Better idea, let's close off all streets but O and we can all just drive on it. Please shoot me!!! "

 Jay wrote on November 26, 2007 1:51 pm:
" I know where you can get a BUNCH of ash trees at really low low prices to help get this park going! Just visit the large nurseries in Lincoln to get your ash now . . . "

 Matt Poulsen wrote on November 26, 2007 2:17 pm:
" You know what...I'm about sick of people! It doesn't matter what new development, project, park, or center is being developed people simply find a reason to oppose it!! Has anyone figured out that the reason your property taxes are so high is because the city has done little in terms of innovation, modernization, or upkeep over the last 2 decades. As a result, we have an aging work force and few companies to attract young and bright graduates. The old way of thinking clearly hasn't worked...that is why your taxes are so high!! Look at the places that have low property taxes...the common thread is quality jobs. Innovate, develop, and modernize and you will bring in companies which can attract a young, talented, and professional workforce. Besides...do you know how little $3 million is to the city when stretched out over 3 or 4 years. Seriously, quit with the chicken little "the sky is falling the sky is falling and your taxes will go up" rhetoric. "

 Transient Heaven wrote on November 26, 2007 2:22 pm:
" This boondoggle should be renamed "Transient Heaven", because that's who will ifest it. We'll need lots of vounteers to clean Transient Heaven, just like all the other parks. Maybe maintenance of existing parks would be a far better place to spend that 3 mill? Of course, you wouldn't get costruction kickbacks that way. If the usual suspects want to make Lincoln look just like their holy city of Portland, Oregon, maybe we should double our murder rate and be just like Portland in every way! "

 Brian wrote on November 26, 2007 2:31 pm:
" This town needs a concrete skatepark. The current ramps at Peter Pan and Tierra are not adequate for a city the size of Lincoln. Sounds like kids are just going to continue to skate the water fountains, sculptures, water slides and amphitheater. "

 Phil wrote on November 26, 2007 2:46 pm:
" I think that this is rediculous. Come May, I will have lived in the Ashley Heights subdivision for three years. I currently pay over $3,200 a year in taxes, but the City has told us that they can't build the less than two acre park in our division because the funds to maintain it are not available. They fully admit that the playground equipment has been purchased and has been in a warehouse for the last two years. They can buid it, but want the houseing division to come up with $12,000 to fund the maintenance for the next five years before they build it. I think that it is ridiculous to be putting more taxpayer money into the antelope valley boondogle when we can't even fully fund the parks for developments that are in and generating property taxes. "

 Confused wrote on November 26, 2007 3:01 pm:
" I don't see how this park can only be 6 acres?? Isn't a city block about 5 acres? Just from R to O Street is three city blocks - that doesn't count the Trago park portion. This has to be somewhere around 35 acres all together. "

 jean wrote on November 26, 2007 3:04 pm:
" sounds nice but wrong location, it will be used by UNL students mostly, downtown has a parking problem now, think of a more centralized location but NOT downtown as the idea is refreshing and great "

 JMK wrote on November 26, 2007 3:04 pm:
" And yet another strain on property tax payers. In case they haven't noticed (and they haven't) people are out of money. when the government needs something, they raise taxes. Then they complain because people move. Guess what, we're going where it costs less to live and crime rates are lower and taxes are lower and car registration is lower and on and on and on. This won't bring in as many people as it will run out. "

 Capt Obvious wrote on November 26, 2007 3:28 pm:
" And when the 100 year flood arrives (the whole reason for the AVP) it will all be underwater;-) "

 sounds nice wrote on November 26, 2007 3:29 pm:
" Sounds like a good idea but I don't know if I'd want to walk in that area alone. I hope it doesn't end up nasty because of the nasty area around there. "

 Robert Smith wrote on November 26, 2007 3:47 pm:
" When you read about Lincoln's proposed Central Park you might ask...what is the value of parks and trees. New York City, home of another Central Park, just completed a survey of the trees found in their parks and streetscapes. Here is what they learned... "Trees are important to the City for many reasons beyond shade and the beauty they add to the urban landscape. The total annual benefit of the 592,130 street trees is $122 million, or $209 per tree per year on average. Street trees remove 2,202 tons of air pollution per year, saving the City $11 million. The average tree removes 2 pounds of air pollutants, valued at $9 per tree. The amount of electricity and natural gas consumption is $28 million per year, a savings of $3.41 for New York City resident per year. Trees also intercept rain and reduce storm water runoff by 890.6 million gallons, an estimated value of $35.6 million. Trees also provide aesthetic benefits of $53 million. This year, Mayor Bloomberg announced on Arbor Day that New York City is going to invest to plant & care for a million more trees throughout New York City. For every dollar spent on trees, New Yorkers received a return of $5.60 on their investment in the benefits that the trees provided the community. Visit www.nyc.gov/parks for more information. Let's embrace Lincoln' Central Park and work together to create another gem like Pioneers Park and Sunken Gardens for future generations. "

 DR wrote on November 26, 2007 3:47 pm:
" What a bug breeding, mud hole, money maker this will be! Just a wilderness park in the heart of the city. This will be fun for police at night just like New Yorks central park. Im sure our tax dollars will go for extra patrol here to. So how much will it really cost us to maintain yearly? "

 Realist wrote on November 26, 2007 3:59 pm:
" Great! Another place where Lincoln can "host events" but not allow alcohol consumption! Yippee! I'm sure the children and the 250 or so adults who are anti-alcohol will enjoy it! If you people want to see a real event location, with a great atmosphere, and a fun environment for all... head up to Sioux City's "Saturday In The Park" festival in Grand View Park some year. THAT'S how a totally free event SHOULD be run. You have artists such as Chuck Berry and The Neville Brothers entertaining for free at the bandshell, vendors contently selling, children having a ball at the carnival, and GASP! people drinking beer at a beer garden. If you open another beautiful park in Lincoln, and let the leaders of Lincoln control it, it'll just turn into another under utilized money drain. And it all comes down to the leaders of Lincoln with their noses in the air. "

 Question to private group wrote on November 26, 2007 4:30 pm:
" I work at UNL. I would like to ask if this private group could also raise money so that our garbage cans could please be emptied? You see, we have to do it ourselves. There's not enough money in the budget. Now, that's progress! "

 Rec major wrote on November 26, 2007 4:52 pm:
" Here is an idea take the 3 million and use it to hire new park staff so that the parks we have can look nice. The other thing is what is the fetish with water falls and other high maintenance items such as the massive plantings. The water fall costs tons to run and will be a target of soap bombs as are most other fountains in the city and the gardens will be like the sunken garden nice but a giant money pit with all the man hours that are spent keeping it look nice for a few months. Build more green space with natural grasses that take little work little water. Say no Lincoln "

 Rolling on the floor wrote on November 26, 2007 5:29 pm:
" This is the stupidest idea I have heard since … I have no idea… look at a crime map of this area. It will be a graffiti filled mess in a matter of days. "

 priorities wrote on November 26, 2007 5:31 pm:
" We can find the money to build a park while we can't fund our aging services and also slash fundings to Parks and Rec last year. Does this make sense to anyone? "

 what a waste wrote on November 26, 2007 5:40 pm:
" Why do people continue to insist on making our city nicer? Lets just all abandon it and move to Omaha. "

 saucer thrower wrote on November 26, 2007 6:41 pm:
" great to see a new park in lincoln, too bad they can't supply an area for disc golfers to have a new course, 7.5 mill for the new park. cost of a new disc golf course = under 5 grand. "

 Evidence Please wrote on November 26, 2007 6:48 pm:
" So, this nameless group of private citizens, the 2015 Vision Committee, whoever they are, is trying to force the taxpayers to cough up $3 million, as "a catalyst for development on both sides of the park ...." Where is the evidence that this has ever happened anywhere? Or that is the best thing for Lincoln? What CEOs are lined up saying "Oh, yes, I'll move my corporate headquarters to back of beyond Lincoln, Nebraska, so I can be catalyzed by a six acre park"? I'll bet the nameless 2015 Vision Committee consists largely of folks like developers, who plan to profit personally by this, at the expense of the taxpayers. Before you buy this pig in a poke, City Council and citizens, you deserve hard, solid evidence that it will be good for Lincoln, not the pipe dreams and snake oil sales pitches of a bunch of anonymous elitists who want to spend your money for their good, again. "

 luke wrote on November 26, 2007 6:48 pm:
" we need it. park or no park taxes will be raised like always. Parks are known to lower crime because people are more relaxed in nature type settings. in turn that will bring in more companys, that means more jobs more jobs etc. sure traffic will be crazy for awhile and it will be some time before the full effect of the park is realized. thinking long term is always better than thinking short term. But I guess as long as people want to move forward there will always be a few that want to hold everyone back "

 crazy wrote on November 26, 2007 7:04 pm:
" ya know, maybe the city thinks that they have to spend money. If they city officials are made aware that its not required to spend money, maybe they'll stop doing it. Surely the must not have been aware of this possibility. Anyone in their right mind, with the budget issues we have, wouldnt consider spending money on this. If you must spend omney, spend it on necessities. Like normal people do on their own finances when times get tight. Parks are not a necessity. Police, Fire, ambulance, snow removal, etc, you know, important things. Just an idea. "

 Carol in Lincoln wrote on November 26, 2007 7:16 pm:
" I would like this idea more if the parks we have already were properly protected and cared for. "

 Irene wrote on November 26, 2007 7:21 pm:
" I live only a few blocks from Trago Park and would invite Lincolnites who haven't recently traveled through this area -- between O and Vine streets and west from 27th Street -- to take a drive through. There has been a lot of residential investment and new construction during the ten years I've lived here, and that is in addition to the street improvements that have already been finished as part of the Antelope Valley project. I come and go at all hours of day and night and have never felt in danger or been the victim of crime. (My comments do not apply to the area east of 27th Street or north of Vine Street. Redevelopment there is lagging.) "

 D.A. wrote on November 26, 2007 9:28 pm:
" Please don't call this "Central Park." That is silly. There is only one Central Park and that is in New York City. Why does Lincoln always try to copy another idea and compare itself to other cities and try to measure up? Build this beautiful park, a new arena and a research park, but please quit trying to compare, catch up or be Omaha or any other city. Just be Lincoln and get over the inferiority complex....nothing says "we're second rate" more than copying others or constantly trying to be as good as someone or something else. Just be your best and don't mention other cities. "

 Robert Smith wrote on November 26, 2007 11:03 pm:
" Central Park is a great opportunity. Those of you that can still remember...think about the condition of the Haymarket District back in the early 1980's. Few people even bothered to venture down there. Now places like The Mill, Lazlos Brewery, Licorice International, Burkholder Project, Michael Forsberg Photography, and the Farmer's Market are part of the fabric of our community. People far and wide associate these great places with the experience of visiting Lincoln. Now picture the streets surrounding Central Park. Soon you hear the sounds of people living, working, and enjoying life here too. "

 Wilma wrote on November 26, 2007 11:50 pm:
" Here's a winning idea! Let's call it Seniors Park. On the memorial wall we can inscribe the names of all the elderly Lincoln residents who paid taxes all their adult lives, died of deprivation, or were forced into nursing homes by City Budget cuts. Or better yet! Let's call it the Hallows to commorate the day we lost our heart and soul and traded a generation for ravene with sculptured dirt. "

 Absolutely beautiful wrote on November 27, 2007 4:36 am:
" Park idea's great. Lots of advantages that other posters have pointed out. However, the city barely keeps up with the care that we have now. Didn't Parks & Rec downsize their staff & programs to the elderly & kids last year? Take care of the parks that we have now; rehire for the jobs of taking care of the parks & reinstate the kids & elderly programs. Then maybe I wouldn't be so against the new park or paying taxes on it. "

 WCG wrote on November 27, 2007 8:10 am:
" Most people here seem to be missing the whole point. This is a floodplain. Having a park here simply allows floodwaters to expand naturally, slowing runoff and preventing worse flooding downstream. Haven't we learned by now the foolishness of channelizing rivers and building in a flood plain? For that reason alone, it's a great idea. Of course, some people would complain if they were hanged with a new rope. "

 Mike White wrote on November 27, 2007 8:22 am:
" In these troubled times while our tax burden has us seeing no light at the end of the tunnel, our food for the needy programs short on food, homeless at an all time high and the soup kitchens struggleing to aquire soup, you want to build another stinking park with OUR money. This is just beautiful, the city isn't paying for diddum, it, we the peoples park and how we spend our money should be put on a ballot for us to vote on. Some fine Mayor we have, taking care of the important obligations first. Down town will ultimately wind up like the projects in the big cities, torn down and something useful built in it's place, no business person in their right mind would move a business to downtown. We can all learn from this however, look at your city for what it is, a bunch of do gooder loose cannons spending our money on crap we don't want or need. Good job Mayor. "

 Big Chief wrote on November 27, 2007 8:33 am:
" One of the major concerns with this park seems to be that graffitti will be a problem. Maybe the gang banging jerks caught spraying graffitti should be required to do hundreds of hours of work maintaining property like these parks. Personally I wish they would legalize a hunting season on the little dirt bags. Maybe a bag limit of ten a day. "

 CSS wrote on November 27, 2007 8:38 am:
" Wow, what a tough crowd you guys are. "

 Lincolnite wrote on November 27, 2007 9:24 am:
" Robert Smith wrote, "Trees also provide aesthetic benefits of $53 million." How do you put a monetary value on aesthetic benefit of a tree? I understand that you are just citing someone else's report in your post, but it is garbage like this that delegitimizes any of the rest of the data included. I'd be interested in knowing what convuluted formula they came up with to get that number. "

 PLAN wrote on November 27, 2007 11:13 am:
" By the time anything gets done it will be 2025. so this dreaming group will be out. It is just a plan and thats all it will be. "

 James wrote on November 27, 2007 11:23 am:
" There's been a lot of comments about "negativity" as a reaction to this project and I'd like to suggest that this is gross over-simplification to a complex problem. The city is currently dreaming of a new jail, an new event center, a new fairgrounds, new public schools, a new UNL research complex, the Antelope Valley Flood project and now a new park. (As well as too many more to list!) Furthermore, all of this is not counting the costs of needed reinforcements to our police force, street repair and new construction, rising fual costs and maintenance on our existing parks system. It's not that any of these proposals are not noble goals and worthwhile dreams. The point is that somebody (spelled Lincoln Taxpayers) is going to end up with the bills for the construction, implementation and future continuous upkeep of all of these projects and many more. Can we please establish some priorities between what we can afford and what the affluent members of the 2015 Vision committee have planned for all of us? This is no time for name calling and dismissive charges of negative thinking. Perhaps it IS time for a few minimum wage earners to sit on the appointed Vision group to have a say on how the city spends the tax dollars they demand. And how do the citizens of the affected neighborhood feel about repeated invasions of their area for events in a park that has no planned parking accompanying it? All that anyone is truly asking for is for projects like this one to not automatically fall under the category of a "Done Deal." We ask for no more and should expect no less. Thanks for reading. "

 Brian wrote on November 27, 2007 1:14 pm:
" If you've ever gone down to Trago park in the summer, it's like a hotel and day camp for the homeless. Huge groups of homeless, some drinking, some sleeping under bushes, I think they hang out there and wait for their next meal at Matt Talbot kitchen since it's so close. Trago park in the summer is not a place you want to bring grandma and the kids. "

 CM wrote on November 27, 2007 1:19 pm:
" All you need to do is take a look at home sales. A home on a well treed lot will typically sell for a higher price than a similar home on a lot with no trees. Most people want trees around their home and that is a definite value being driven by the aesthetic, as well as other, qualities of trees. By the way, the number in question came from NYC, which was also quoted to contain over 592,000 street trees. That works out to about 90 bucks per tree. No convoluted formula needed. "

 SB wrote on November 27, 2007 2:02 pm:
" D.A.- showing you are knowledgeable on similar projects and look to other build precedents from other cities shows a person you are not short sighted, educated in that field of study, are not trying to reinvent the wheel, and believe in improving upon other’s ventures. Nothing is more backwards then when Nebraskans are so close minded and stubborn that they can’t even fathom looking to another state for advice or help – especially when Nebraska is so far behind they can’t even define the words progress or innovation. To those afraid of graffiti – as the art of graffiti has come full circle, many cities have embraced graffiti as a public overture against the drabness of typical cities of concrete parks, glass buildings, and urban sprawl and offer graffiti parks, skate parks, athletic fields, and even parks that people can enjoy an outdoor concert at – it’s an amazing concept that requires a little more thought and creativity then a grumpy old man complaining the city forced him into a retirement home and there is too much traffic. You’re very ignorant if you believe that if city didn’t building anything or try to improve its citizens’ quality of life your taxes would go down – nothing could be further from the truth. "

 b s wrote on November 27, 2007 2:10 pm:
" Why do I have this funny feeling that the park is going to end up by the fair grounds???? Look at the map on the park. Is Harvey Perlman on the plans for this design too? Boy on way or another, it looks like Perlman is going to get what he wants. Hey next thing you will know he will want everyone who lives from 17 and Holdredge to 33 and holdredge area to move there houses out so he can connect the campuses. People in that area get ready to move. you have a few years to find a place for your homes to be moved to. But that is just my thought on the subject. I am also glad I don't have to live down there when the gangs try to take it over for there turf. That was really dumb to block off P, Q, R, S, and T streets for a park. I am glad that i don't have to be driving down O street after work. "

 38 cents a month for 3 years wrote on November 27, 2007 4:07 pm:
" is how you pay $3 million for something with a population of 225,000. $0.38 x 36 months x 225000 = $3 million. This is also roughly the cost of everyone in Lincoln driving to Omaha and back twice (in separate cars, granted). Think about it! "

 Matt wrote on November 27, 2007 4:20 pm:
" That's what a growing and progressive city does! It updates and expands. Furthermore, the funds for all of the projects you just listed are hardly shouldered by Lincoln alone. For example, the UNL research park and the State Fair are NOT city projects. I think your irrational fear of spending is a gross over simplification because you don't differentiate the funding process and the entities that are controlling the projects. You see all these projects and you simply cry "don't raise my taxes". I think that's simplistic. Furthermore, I think its simplistic not to recognize that by investing in the infrastructure and amenities of the city can expand the tax base and allow each person to pay lower individual taxes. Also, while I respect minimum wage earners, why am I to assume that they have the business savvy or financial know-how to to be effective on the 2015 vision group? These guys are business leaders for a reason. "

 John wrote on November 27, 2007 7:54 pm:
" Where's the water coming from? Pumps ,that will have to be run 24/7 We can't take care of what we have now. Remember the 9 Million short fall . "

 LS wrote on November 28, 2007 10:03 pm:
" Why can't people in this city just stop whining about everything..they want it to grow but they don't want to pay..people think this is a bad idea because of all the things that could go wrong..OMG OKay about the graffiti hello NYC is much larger and has alot more gang activity than here yet they still have a great central park everyone can enjoy. Let Lincoln grow and expand we need it. "

 Delighted! wrote on November 29, 2007 6:08 pm:
" I think this is a great idea, I've thought that Lincoln has needed a big park like this for years. To those of you complaining about the citizens of Lincoln paying for this park, I say that this is EXACTLY what I want to spend my money on. I want Lincoln to move forward, and be an enjoyable place to live. I'm sick of living in a town that is grey, dull, and thinks that a Walgreens is what should be built anywhere we have spare land. "

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