YOUR Questions: Answered!
Below are questions that neighbors have asked since that initial input was solicited.
Click on any question to see the response. If you don't see your question here, get in touch and we'll add it!
Note: All references below to "the upcoming public meeting" are referring to the now-scheduled public meeting
on October 13, 2015. Please visit our "Upcoming Events" page for more information on that meeting.
Playground Design[+] Has the playground upgrade/replacement been funded? Is it really going to happen?
Yes, playground renewal is funded and will definitely be happening, but currently only about $200,000 is earmarked for the playground. We are continuing to raise funds to give us more options with the design.
[+] When will the playground work begin?
Groundbreaking is still aiming for next spring (2016), but the sewer project *may* affect that. The Public Works department is in charge of the sewer project and they are still assessing the scope of the work they have to do. Once they know, they'll talk with the Park Planning department, see if/how the two projects overlap, and update the timeline if needed. There will be a public meeting - probably in October - where Pat (the Park Planner) will give a status update.
[+] Will the playground location be moving?
Pat (from the Omaha Parks Department) has been looking at options for moving the playground out of the gully. One possible option is just south of the pavilion, east of the lagoon, between the pavilion and baseball field (i.e., where we held the family fitness day in August). Neighborhood residents will have a chance to weigh in this before it's decided, though, probably at that October meeting. Pat may have some other options by that point.
[+] What kind of designs are being considered?
Both adults and kids have been able to weigh in on what they'd like to see in a new playground. You can check out their recommendations on the adult and kids input pages. The kids definitely are excited about tall turrets, climbing, swinging, and spinning, and a sandy surface! The question of wood vs. metal/plastic playground has been a big one, as the neighborhood input was split 50/50. However, the city has a strong preference towards metal and plastic, because wood is more expensive, doesn't last as long, is harder to maintain, and is more easily defaced. Based on that, initial designs are focusing on metal/plastic options that incorporate other things that parents and kids wanted to see.
Other Park Amenities[+] Improved trails and entrances? Jogging path? The pathway system is priority #2 after the playground. Pat is working on a design that will improve access to the park and usability of the trail system for visitors of all kinds!
This is also big priority for the neighborhood (#5 on the list), but the Parks Department has strong resistance to building public bathrooms for safety and maintenance reasons. One compromise that seems possible is that a wooden structure could be built to house a port-a-potty so it can't be vandalized and is more "permanent." However, if more substantial bathrooms are a critical priority for you and you are willing to personally work on making it happen, please contact Kim Howe ([email protected]). This is an issue that would require a committed group of neighbors to really organize, mobilize, advocate, and find innovative solutions with the city.
These were also themes that had very strong support from neighbors, and Pat is making it a priority by looking for ways to incorporate historically themed art and signage.
[+] Keeping and Using Existing Green Spaces? This was another big theme throughout the neighborhood input, and is a primary consideration for every element of the plan.
A frisbee golf course was also mentioned in feedback, but a bit lower down the list. Pat is trying to create a design for the park that could be implemented in phases, so that we can take care of the biggest priorities first and then as we continue to raise funds, we can check off more and more of these items!
If you'd like to help work on any of these elements, please contact Kim Howe! |
Northeast Corner Design[+] How did the idea of an amphitheater come about?
For some time now, neighbors have expressed concerns about the overgrown and unsafe feeling of the north edge of Hanscom Park, the ravine area near the dog park, and the northeast corner. They also have expressed a desire for better access to that area since there are not many good trails into the park along there. Throughout the spring of 2015, the HPR volunteer group solicited ideas for how to improve that area, and there was strong support for a community gathering space somewhere in that area, and specifically for an amphitheater-type concept with terraced seating, as suggested by a number of neighbors. The HPR Northeast Corner Design team worked with the City of Omaha Parks Department to evaluate if this design was even possible. The Parks Department determined that it WOULD be possible. (See additional questions below for how they evaluated this.)
Currently, the HPR Northeast Corner Design team is communicating with a variety of performers and others who might use a public space like this to assess what their various needs would be, and if there is enough demand. IF all the factors line up, eventually there will be a public meeting where all residents will be able to look at the proposed designs and give feedback before anything is included in the final plan. However, right now is a GREAT time to raise questions (ask us!) about the concept and that area of the park so we can make sure all questions and concerns have been considered before that public meeting. [+] Is it official: Is the amphitheater definitely happening?
Nope! Nothing's "definite" until the first shovel breaks ground in the park! However, we are optimistic! In addition to getting a final design completed, discussing it with the neighborhood, getting the required approvals, raising funds, etc., we are also trying to coordinate planning with the CSO project
, which will also likely impact that area. So big aspects of the design may still be subject to change!
[+] Are there limitations on what kind of community space could be built?
Yes. There are a number of limitations and considerations, both for feasibility and design! The natural topography of the land, the orientation to the sun and the rest of the park, existing trees, maintenance needs, ADA accessibility, parking, and more.... (There are a LOT of engineering and design considerations the Parks Department has explored!)
[+] What kind of designs are being considered?
The city's priority is that any design be easy to maintain and comply with ADA regulations, as well as being feasible in the space. Neighbors have said they would like a naturalistic feel that preserves existing trees. The grade appears to be too steep for a smooth sloped lawn, so early drawings show terraced seating. Here's a link to an amphitheater in Pennsylvania that is a possible model for what could be done in Hanscom Park. Initial drawings will be presented to the community for feedback at the upcoming public meeting.
An initial feasibility study conducted by the city showed that a natural bowl-shape, near the NE corner could be a great location for an outdoor community space.
The proposed location for the amphitheater is NOT in the wooded ravine near the dog park. It is a bit further east of the ravine, near the intersection of Park and Woolworth. (See the exact location here.) It is a grassy, shrubby, tree-dotted hillside that slopes gently down from that intersection toward the ravine. It is removed from other developed areas of the park, such as the dog park and playground. As a result, a community space here would not be in competition with those spaces or undermine other previous work. The area is a good candidate because it could be developed with minimal impact to the existing trees and landscape. In fact, the design tries to INTEGRATE many of the sapling trees that are there, rather than removing them! [+] Is the northeast corner a "protected" area?
No, it is not an official protected area. Nevertheless, protecting wildlife and trees is a priority for the design.
[+] How big would the community space be? What kind of events would be held there?
The proposed community space would be a small, intimate design with seating for only 200-250. It could host events like small acoustic concerts, open mic nights, kids' dance performances, Zumba classes, weddings, puppet shows, outdoor classes, graduation photo shoots, and small church services. (We won't be competing with Stinson, Elmwood, or Memorial Parks by any means!) It would also be a great area for picnics and lawn games. We are right now contacting possible users of the space to determine if there is enough interest and what would make is most usable for them. If you can help with this, please get in touch!
[+] Has the community space project already been funded?
Some funds are available within the current budget, but the fundraising and grant writing team is actively working to raise more. They could use your help!
[+] Will hooligans, ruffians, and troublemaking kids hang out there?
That's hard to say. The design team is working on a plan that would encourage visibility and safety, and we hope that opening up an area of the park that is currently dark, neglected, and out of the way will make it a safer, more family-friendly park overall. That said, folks of all stripes who make up our neighborhood will probably hang out there. The more ownership that we all take over keeping it clean and beautiful, using it for fun activities, and having a friendly chat with the "hooligans" we might run into there, the safer it will be! If you have ideas for improving the safety of the area, please contact us!
This area actually has some of the best free parking in the whole neighborhood! All of Park Avenue between Woolworth and Martha is available for free parking on both the east and west sides of the street. All of Woolworth between 32nd and Park Avenue is available for free parking on the north side, and again on both sides between Park and 29th. All of 29th also has free parking on both sides. Of the few residential properties in those areas, almost all have off-street parking, as do all but 2-3 businesses. Not even considering Park Avenue north of Woolworth, a quick estimate shows 120+ parking spots within a 2-minute walk of the area.
[+] How will the community space be maintained?
The terraced design of the seating is intended to accommodate the large mowers used by the Parks Department to mow the rest of the park. However, maintenance and cleanup is a part of the WHOLE park plan we'd like to work on more this Fall and Winter. If you'd like to be a part of strategizing around that, please contact us!
To learn more or help out with the northeast corner/amphitheater, check out the Northeast Corner Design team page. What Happens Once Park Enhancements Are Completed?[+] Will park "enhancement" funds also be used for park maintenance later? As currently planned, all funds raised for the Hanscom Park Renewal project will be used solely for the enhancements to the park, and will not be used for any ongoing park maintenance. Ongoing park maintenance falls under the Omaha Parks Department’s annual budget and will be handled by them. However, having stated that, there has been some brief discussion of possibly extending HPR fundraising efforts for the purpose of helping to maintain aspects of the park (e.g., landscaping) in conjunction with maintenance by the Parks Department after all the park enhancements have been completed. Currently, that is not within the scope of the Hanscom Park Renewal project. Now that we have mostly completed our design recommendations for the playground and northeast corner, we will now begin to turn our attention to other “high priority” park enhancements requested by neighbors. Those include landscaping, trash and graffiti cleanup, safety and security, and more. As always, we will publish additional information on these and other aspects of the park renewal project once more details become available.
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