Hummel Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hummel Park |
|
|---|---|
Entrance sign at Hummel Park
|
|
| Type | Municipal (Omaha) |
| Location | North Omaha |
| Area | 202 acres (0.82 km2) |
| Created | 1930 |
| Status | Open all year |
Hummel Park is a large park located at 11808 John J. Pershing Drive in North Omaha, Nebraska. It was created in 1930 on 202 acres (about 0.8 square kilometers) of land. The park is named after Joseph B. Hummel, who was a long-time superintendent for Omaha's Parks and Recreation Department.
Contents
Exploring Hummel Park
Hummel Park is covered in a special kind of forest called a riparian forest. This means it's a forest found near a river. The park is located north of the Florence neighborhood.
Fun Activities at the Park
You can find many fun things to do at Hummel Park. There are hiking trails, including the Omaha Riverfront Trail North. The park also has horseshoe pits and picnic shelters. A disc golf course was added in 2011 for people to enjoy.
Amazing Views
One popular spot is the Missouri River overlook. From here, you can see great views of the river. This overlook is located above a natural cliff known as "Devil's Slide."
Nature and Learning
The Hummel Park Nature Center is run by the Parks and Recreation Department. It offers cool programs about nature and special events. These programs help people learn more about the environment. The park also hosts a summer day camp, which has been a tradition for many years.
A Look Back at History
Hummel Park has some interesting history. The spot where Cabanne's Trading Post once stood is in the northwest corner of the park. You can find it at the corner of Ponca Road and John J. Pershing Road.
Urban Legends and Park Stories
Hummel Park is known for some local urban legends. These are popular stories that people tell, but they are not true.
The "Stairs to Hell"
One story is about a stairway in the park called the "Stairs to Hell." People used to say it was impossible to count the same number of steps going up as coming down. However, this is not true. There are exactly 188 steps, and any counting mistakes are likely because some steps have unusual shapes.
The Albino Colony Story
The most famous legend is about a group of albino people supposedly living in the park's dense woods. Sometimes these stories describe them as violent or even cannibals. Other times, they are just seen as reclusive hermits. It's important to know that there has never been any proof that a group of albino people lived in the park or attacked anyone.
Why Do These Stories Exist?
These urban legends probably started because Hummel Park is a bit secluded and has thick woods. It's also a popular place for local teenagers to explore. While some missing persons have been found in the park, they were likely left there. This is because the park is close to the city but still has many hidden, wooded areas. These stories are just that—stories!
See also
- Parks in Omaha
- Omaha, Nebraska
