Dodge Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids N.P. Dodge Memorial Park |
|
|---|---|
Docks at Dodge Park.
|
|
| Type | Municipal (Omaha) |
| Location | North Omaha |
| Area | 44.5 acres (180,000 m2) |
| Created | 1930 |
| Open | All year |
N.P. Dodge Memorial Park, often called Dodge Park, is a fun place in North Omaha, Nebraska. It sits right by the Missouri River. You can go fishing, water skiing, and boating here.
The park also has trails for hiking through its riverside forests. If you like sports, it offers baseball fields, soccer fields, horseshoe pits, and tennis courts. It's a great spot for picnics, with special areas and pavilions. You can even find historical monuments and a campground for overnight stays.
A Look Back: Park History
The area where Dodge Park is today has a long history. In 1804, famous explorers Lewis and Clark camped here during their journey across the Louisiana Purchase.
Later, a Spanish fur trader named Manuel Lisa set up Fort Lisa nearby. This was a place where people traded animal furs. In the 1820s, another trading post called Cabanne's Trading Post was started to the north.
Dodge Park was given to the City of Omaha in 1930. It was named to honor N. P. Dodge, a local businessman who worked with real estate. Part of this land, west of Pershing Drive, became Hummel Park. This park was named after J. B. Hummel, who was in charge of Omaha's parks at the time.
Dodge Park Today
For many years, Dodge Park was mostly wild land. But starting in the late 1960s, many improvements were made. The park's roads were updated, and the marina got better. A new playground was also added for kids to enjoy.
You can find other interesting historical places close to Dodge Park. These include Winter Quarters and the historic town of Florence.
See Also
