Hitchcock Park facts for kids

Hitchcock Park is a popular public park located in South Omaha, Nebraska. It's a favorite spot for many, much like the Henry Doorly Zoo and Rosenblatt Stadium. Because of an agreement between the U.S. Government and the City of Omaha, the park must follow rules to make sure it is easy for everyone to use, including people with disabilities. Hitchcock Park has one of Omaha's three 50-meter swimming pools. It was also found that some areas of the park had lead from a former factory. This meant special cleanup efforts were needed to keep the park safe for everyone.

Park History

In 1946, Omaha's Parks and Recreation Commission bought 38 acres of land for the park. They spent over $91,000 to develop the park over the next 10 years. Early features included fields for softball and baseball. There was also a lagoon where people could go ice skating. In 1956, Hitchcock Park was named after Gilbert M. Hitchcock. He was a former Senator and started the Omaha World-Herald newspaper.

A big update to Hitchcock Park happened in 1999 and 2000. The lagoon was fixed up, and parking was improved. A new playground was added, along with a new picnic shelter. Walking paths were also made longer.

Motto McLean Ice Arena

The McLean Ice Arena is a building inside Hitchcock Park. It is open to the public all year round. The arena is named after E.H. Motto McLean. He is known for starting youth hockey in Omaha.

The arena has a standard ice rink. It also has modern lighting and a special ceiling system. There are four locker rooms and a lobby area. Visitors can watch from a seated viewing area. There is also a meeting room and a place to buy snacks. The arena has bleacher seating for 800 people.

Images for kids

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  Hitchcock Park Pond