two groups to receive 2011 neighborhood leaf
October 12, 2011
The Metcalfe-Harrison Neighborhood Association and the Country Club Community Council sit side by side in the Benson-Ames Alliance. In addition to sharing a border, they share a green space and a desire to improve their corner of the city.
The two groups are the 2011 recipients of Omaha by Design’s Neighborhood Leaf for their efforts to improve Metcalfe Park. The award, presented annually, recognizes an individual, organization or business that has worked to preserve and enhance the metropolitan area’s residential neighborhoods. Representatives of the two groups will be honored at the Oct. 19 meeting of the Omaha by Design Advisory Committee.
A ribbon cutting for the Baright Playground at Metcalfe Park was held Sept. 23, the culmination of more than a year’s worth of effort on the part of the two neighborhood groups. More than $107,000 in private funds was raised for new playground equipment, benches, picnic tables, a rain garden and bike parking. Seven new trees were also planted courtesy of ReTree Nebraska. The playground is named after the late Helen and Hollis Baright, who lived across from Metcalfe Park for more than 60 years and whose foundation made a sizable donation to the project.
Tiffany Regan, president of the Metcalfe-Harrison Neighborhood Association, said the effort was launched last spring when the group decided its priority was replacing the park’s 20-plus year-old playground equipment. She and Pat Bianchini began doing research, a $7,500 seed grant from Bank of the West was secured, and the project grew from there. Regan said Matt Herzog, president of the Country Club Community Council, took the lead on the design and construction aspect of the project, and the Omaha Parks Foundation contributed $50,000 in matching funds.
“My advice for other neighborhood organizations is there is money out there – call places, talk to people, search on the Internet,” Regan said. “When it comes to your neighbors, keep your eyes and ears open – they have connections, too. Use their connections, follow all leads and be persistent.”
Past recipients of Omaha by Design’s Neighborhood Leaf include Omaha’s community gardens; the Deer Park and Old Market South neighborhood associations, Bill Seidler Jr. and Syl Orsi; the Community Bicycle Shop Omaha; and the Rev. Stephanie Ahlschwede. For more information about Omaha by Design’s awards program, visit www.omahabydesign.org/about/awards or call 402.554.4010.