Lewis and Clark Landing at The RiverFront

  • Location
    Omaha, NE
  • Completion Date
    2023
  • Size
    25 acres
  • Team
    Design Lead, Master Plan, Landscape Architecture: OJB Landscape Architecture
    Civil, Environmental, Architectural, Structural, Public Involvement, Transportation, Permitting, Bridge: HDR
    Construction Management: Kiewit
    Architecture: Gensler
    Lighting Design: Atelier Ten
    Specialty Lighting: MR Global
    Water Feature Design: Fluidity
    Environmental Graphic Design: RSM Design
    Play Consultant: Studio Ludo
    Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing Engineering: Alvine Engineering
    Soil Science: Pine and Swallow
    Site Structures: ADBC Architecture & Engineering
    Geotechnical Engineering and Special Inspections: Terracon
    Restoration Ecologist: RES (formerly Applied Ecological Services)
    Parking Consultant: Walker Consultants
    Irrigation: Water Scape
    Survey and Platting: Lamp Rynearson Associates
    ADA Consultant: Marx | Okubo
  • Awards
    • 2021: Envision Platinum Award for Sustainability, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure – The RiverFront Revitalization Master Plan
    • 2023: The Riverfront Honored with Metropolis Planet Positive Award
    • 2024: The RiverFront Recognized with Congress for the New Urbanism Award
    • 2024: The RiverFront is a Finalist in A+ Awards Best Public Park
    • 2024: The RiverFront is Shortlisted for 2024 ULI Open Space Award
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About

Lewis and Clark Landing is the third park in the three-phase Riverfront Revitalization. This site reconnects downtown Omaha and Council Bluffs Park systems to the Missouri River and transforms the parks into an active composition with social and recreational areas to serve the expanding community.

The 36-acre park sits on a former industrial site, and a seven-foot-tall floodwall bifurcates the area. The site was remediated in the late 90s and transformed into a public open space that consisted primarily of an open lawn, parking, a small riverfront marina, a restaurant, and a large, paved event plaza. OJB worked closely with the City, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other local and federal agencies to rethink the remediated site and provide proper soil depths for shallow rooting trees and plan for a multitude of recreational opportunities.

The park has been reimagined as an active destination. With its size and location, it is primarily focused on families and specific activities such as volleyball. An adventure playground anchors the south end of the site, with towering climbing structures, an adventure path, zipline, log forest, swing canopy, and an interactive water/sand play area.

An urban beach with seating hides the floodwall. Residents can enjoy a day at the beach with volleyball, lounging, bocce ball, and a full view of the previously obscured Missouri River. The park is further anchored by the Luminarium, a STEM museum that dovetails with educational programming and adventure play paths. The connective site areas along the rail lines, roadways and River are planted with low-maintenance prairie grasslands, which offer seasonal interest and will naturalize over time.

The play areas at Lewis and Clark Landing are a destination, filled with a wide range of activities for children of all ages. Smaller climbing towers and slides are interspersed with bridges, while the larger tower and zip line appeal to the more adventurous. Smaller children can take a variety of pathways to build climbing and sliding skills. They can use ropes and toe holds to traverse a low-scale bridge. A waterwheel and watercourse teach cause and effect, as well as team-building.

Four regulation-size volleyball courts offer places for tournament play and recreational fun. The lollipop structures offer shade in bright sun and diffuse lighting at night.