Lewis & Clark Riverfront Interpretive Trail

The Nebraska and Iowa Riverfront Trail system, with its planned interconnected pedestrian trails and other public river-related projects, serves as both a "stand alone" recreation facility and a means for connecting the many current and future developments along the river. This Lewis & Clark Riverfront Interpretive Trail is a $1,000,000 project to provide education and entertainment opportunities to trail users and other visitors by interpreting the Corps of Discovery Expedition story and related stories along the Riverfront Trails. It is planned to be fully implemented before Spring 2004, to coincide with the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemoration.

The City of Omaha Department of Parks, Recreation and Public Property served as the lead partner in planning for this project. The interpretive master planning phase of this project was funded by a Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail 2001 Challenge Cost Share Program grant of $20,000 from NPS. The City of Omaha provided $20,000 and the Papio-Missouri River NRD $10,000 of matching funds. This phase also includes the first phase of implementation, which will include development of two of the small interpretive sites.

In a nutshell, this project will use a variety of interpretive media and hands-on opportunities, to interpret the River's story and existing culture of this area through the experiences of Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery Expedition and compare their experiences and observations with today's recreational visitors. The stories will be told through a number of permanent improvements including the Corps of Discovery Campsite re-creation, wayside exhibits - several with built-in sound - and Interpretive Icon Sculptures. The Icon Sculptures located at each interpretive site will provide a canvas for regional artists to interpret facets of the Expedition.

Click for Map close up

There are 11 interpretive sites in Nebraska, extending from Mandan Park in Omaha to Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, as well as four sites in Iowa, extending from Harvey's Recreation Complex to Lewis & Clark Monument in Council Bluffs. Orientation signs will be located at key points along the trail to familiarize visitors with interpretive locations.

The purpose of the Interpretive Icon Sculpture is to identify the interpretive sites and to attract the attention of visitors to each site. These icons are not the major attraction of the site, but are to support the overall Lewis & Clark interpretive project. The sculpture will be a 3-dimensional form, tall enough to be easily visible to visitors on the trail and to visitors driving from one interpretive site to another. Unique artwork depicting the Lewis & Clark expedition experience - as defined by the Primary Theme, Sub-themes and storylines in the Interpretive Master Plan - is planned to embellish each icon.

A team of local artists developed four concepts for the Icon Sculpture. The Icon Design Committee included David Barker, Tim Barry, Eddith Buis, Beth Davis and Bob Wilson. Each of the concepts is a three-dimensional sculpture, 12 to 14 feet in height. The Icon forms will be produced from concrete with an area for artist embellishment. The areas designated for artistic embellishment will be executed with consistent materials and fabrication techniques, to ensure durability. Artists selected to design for each space will work with the artisan team to produce the selected designs.

The concepts were presented to the City of Omaha, Omaha Public Arts Commission and Back to the River Inc. One concept was the unanimous favorite of these groups. However, reservations were raised about the problems that this enclosed sculpture might encourage. Also, the size of the preferred sculpture and its cost made this concept difficult to use at all sites. The Design Committee refined the concept into a form that was segmented. At most of the sites, one of the segments of the sculpture will be installed. On at least one site on the Nebraska side of the trail and the Iowa side of the trail, the entire Icon will be installed.

It is anticipated that service groups, non-profit organizations, neighborhood groups and individuals will continue to participate in the implementation of this project, by providing ideas and information and volunteer help. Some groups have volunteered to help with planting and construction activities, supplying volunteers for events, and website development. An opportunity may exist, under the guidance of artists and artisans, for students and individuals to be involved in the design and fabrication of some of the embellishments for the Interpretive Icon Sculptures. This project also provides the opportunity for private and non-profit organizations, individual and groups, to participate financially in the implementation of this project. One highly visible method is to sponsor the artwork for the various interpretive sites. Another opportunity exists in funding improvements and exhibits at interpretive sites and in helping to fund the non-permanent projects and activities proposed in this master plan.