Hanscom Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hanscom Park Neighborhood |
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Lake at Hanscom Park
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| Type | Municipal (Omaha) |
| Location | Midtown Omaha |
| Created | 1899 |
| Status | Open all year |
Hanscom Park is a special neighborhood in Midtown Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska. It's named after a very old public park, which was given to the city way back in 1872. A famous person, U.S. President Gerald R. Ford, was actually born in a house right here in the Hanscom Park neighborhood! This area is bordered by Woolworth Street to the north, South 32nd Street to the west, Interstate 480 to the east, and Interstate 80 to the south.
A Look Back: Hanscom Park's Story
Hanscom Park is one of Omaha's oldest neighborhoods where people have lived for a long time. In October 1872, two people named Andrew J. Hanscom and James Megeath generously gave the city a large piece of land, about 50 acres, to create the park. Mr. Hanscom had bought this land from Colonel Sam Bayliss, who was one of the first settlers in Omaha City in 1854.
When the neighborhood was built in the 1890s, it was on the far western edge of Omaha. It was a great spot for fancy new homes because it had easy access to a new electric trolley line. This trolley connected the neighborhood directly to downtown Omaha.
Many interesting houses are located in this neighborhood. One of them, the George N. Hicks House, is so important that it has been named an Omaha Landmark. In 1913, U.S. President Gerald Ford was born in his grandfather's large house at 3202 Woolworth Avenue. Today, the Gerald R. Ford Birthsite and Gardens is a place that celebrates this important location.
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Hanscom Park: The Green Space
Hanscom Park itself, located at 1899 South 32nd Avenue, was developed by the City of Omaha in 1889. It was one of the first projects by the city's new Park Commission. The Commission hired a landscape architect to design the park. They reported that the park was "radically changed" and "greatly improved."
The park now featured two lakes, a beautiful cascade (a small waterfall), many flower beds, and about two and a half miles of paved roads. It also had fountains and many large forest trees. The Commission proudly called it "the only finished park in the city." Many of these original design elements can still be seen today. The Brandeis Indoor Tennis Courts are also located within the park. The park is bordered by Park Avenue to the east, 32nd Avenue to the west, Woolworth Avenue to the north, and Ed Creighton Avenue to the south.
Hanscom Park Today
For many years, some of the old, historic houses in the Hanscom Park neighborhood were changed into apartments. However, in recent years, more and more of these properties have been turned back into single-family homes. This means families are moving back into these beautiful old houses.
