Riverfront Update

Omaha’s Riverfront has become much more accessible and linked to Downtown and the River. You can now reach the entire Riverfront boardwalk and trail by foot, boat, or bicycle to enjoy dining, exercise and entertainment on the banks of the mighty Missouri.

Heartland Pedestrian Bridge

Martin Luther King, Jr. Pedestrian Bridge

Lewis and Clark Landing

Labor Statue

Marina

The Bridges of Douglas County

Two new bridges now let walkers and bikers avoid road and rail traffic with a continuous route from Gene Leahy Mall under 10th Street to Heartland of America Park, over to Lewis & Clark Landing, and on to the Qwest Center Plaza in a nearly 2 mile loop.

Heartland Pedestrian Bridge

The $1.4 million Heartland bridge connects Douglas County’s 31-acre Heartland of America Park to the city-owned 22-acre Lewis & Clark Landing.

The bridge provides an open view of the bend in the Missouri River and makes the walk safer. Canopies over parts of the bridge provide protection from debris coming off Interstate 480. Its unfinished wood and metal gives it a look and feel reminiscent of an old-fashioned country bridge.

The new link was dedicated at a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 6 and immediately went to work carrying walkers and bikers to and from Heartland Park and Lewis and Clark Landing.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge

Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge connects the Qwest Center Plaza at the upper entrance on the southwest corner of the new arena to Lewis and Clark Landing. The $3 million King bridge completes a 11/2- to two-mile loop from downtown offices. The zinc-coated steel expanse, dotted with red umbrellas is as contemporary as the Heartland Bridge is rustic.

From the span vista seekers can survey the new riverfront development from a single vantage point. The structure also links Riverfront dining and other activities to the Qwest Center for the convenience of Convention and Concertgoers.

Relaxin’ on the River

Warn weather has meant lots of activities on Lewis and Clark Landing and the walk along the north has been extended. Families are coming out in force to enjoy Omaha’s newest great public space.

Lewis and Clark Landing

It’s become a great place to be. Whether it’s talking to friends, a walk after dinner in the Old Market, a little lunch hour exercise, kicking back with a good book or a little quiet time in the city, Lewis and Clark Landing is a great public space.

On June 13, Opera Omaha Music Director Hal France led the Omaha Symphony in the annual Arts on the Green Concert for the first time on the riverfront. It was a chance to groove on some great tunes and enjoy the cool Sunday evening air.

Or, you could pet a mounted police officer’s horse while the music played.

Monument to Labor

A little north of Lewis and Clark Landing and Rick’s Boatyard Cafe, the impressive Monument to Labor is complete. Sculptor Matthew Placzek’s public artwork comprises five 8-foot-tall figures working a variety of tasks.

More than 39,000 pounds of steel and 500,000 pounds of cement went into creating the sculpture. The monument's cost was $1 million in donated money and donated labor. Eight Omaha union locals and 26 companies and individuals contributed to bringing the monument to life.

Lighting on the monument makes it worth a visit in the evening as well as during the day, and as the sun goes down it is not too bad a spot for a game of hide and seek.

Riverfront Marina

Omaha Parks and Recreation Department’s newest addition to Omaha’s Riverfront is a marina that offers 29 short-term docking slips for boats up to 40' in length. The Riverfront Marina provides boaters convenient access to Lewis and Clark Landing, the Quest Center, Rick’s Café and entertainment, shopping and dining in the Old Market.

Funded in part by a United States Fish and Wildlife Service Grant Program, the marina is open Monday through Friday, 5:00 P.M. to Midnight and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 A.M. to Midnight.

Slips are available for $5.00 per hour on a first come first served basis. Marina staff is available, during business hours, to answer questions, and direct boaters.