Heartland of America Park facts for kids
Heartland of America Park is a wonderful public park located in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. This park is about 31 acres (12.5 hectares) in size. It sits right between Interstate 80 and the Missouri River. The park is also very close to the Gene Leahy Mall and the Old Market. It connects to the Lewis & Clark Landing too.
This area has a long history. Explorers Lewis and Clark visited here in 1804. They saw some interesting earthen mounds. Historians believe these mounds might have been natural hills. Or, they could have been part of an old village of the Otoe people. The park officially opened in 1990. It was built on land that once held many old warehouses. These buildings were very important for Omaha's growth in the 1870s.
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Exploring Heartland Park
Heartland of America Park offers many cool features for visitors. A paved walking trail goes all the way around the lake. This path is great for a stroll or a run. If you walk the whole path, it's almost one mile long!
Amazing Fountains
The park has three different fountains. One of them is a very large, modern fountain. It cost about $1.5 million to build! This special fountain can shoot water up to 300 feet (91 meters) into the air. At night, it puts on a fantastic light show with lasers.
Lake Activities
The park's lake is home to a tour boat named the General Marion. You can take rides on this boat during the summer. The lake also has two resident swans. Their names are Romeo and Juliet, just like the characters from the famous play.
Historical Markers
You can find some interesting historical spots in the park. There is a monument that remembers the 1898 Trans-Mississippi Exposition. This was a big fair held in Omaha many years ago. There's also the Waterworks Fountain. This fountain is very old, from the late 1800s. It used to be at a railroad station in North Omaha.
Fun Events
Heartland of America Park is a popular place for events. For example, the annual Taste of Omaha event happens here. It's a great chance to try different foods from local restaurants.
Park Access
The ConAgra Foods company is located at the south end of the lake. They have helped make the park even better. Now, the walking path goes all the way around the lake, giving everyone full access to enjoy the views.
