Levi Carter Park facts for kids

Levi Carter Park is a large public park located at 3100 Abbott Drive in East Omaha, Nebraska. It is named after Levi Carter, an important businessman from Omaha's early days. Carter owned a factory that made a material called white lead, which was used in paints. The park offers many fun activities and beautiful natural spaces for everyone to enjoy.

The Story of Levi Carter Park

From Riverbank to Lake: How Carter Lake Formed

Imagine this park as part of the Missouri River's west bank back in 1876! Just one year later, a big flood changed everything. The river burst its banks and took a shortcut, leaving behind a long, curved section of its old path. This leftover section became what we call an oxbow lake. An oxbow lake is a U-shaped lake that forms when a wide meander (a bend) of a river is cut off from the main river.

After this event, people living on both sides of the river's old path found themselves on the west bank, now connected to Nebraska. Because of this unique change, the lake was first known as "Cut-Off Lake."

Early Days and Renaming the Lake

In the late 1800s, the lake's name changed to Lake Nicoma. This name honored Nicoma, a legendary wife of an early Nebraska settler named Peter A. Sarpy. During this time, the lake became a very popular spot for vacations and fun. The park around the lake hosted exciting sailing events and was home to "Bungalow City," a collection of small vacation homes. There was also the Omaha Gun Club and a YMCA Camp, which stayed active until the 1930s. People enjoyed boathouses, hotels, and clubhouses, making the lake a favorite place for rowing and fishing parties.

In the early 1890s, the city of Omaha decided to rename the lake once more. They chose to honor Levi Carter after his wife, who had become a widow, generously donated $1,000,000 to the city. This money was used to improve the area around the lake, which the city then officially named Levi Carter Park.

Carter Lake's Unique Location

A few years later, in 1896, the United States Supreme Court made an important decision. They ruled that the nearby town of Carter Lake, even though it was on the west side of the Missouri River, actually belonged to the State of Iowa. This is why Carter Lake is a unique town, as it is part of Iowa but surrounded by Nebraska.

Building the Park: The Civilian Conservation Corps

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) played a huge role in developing Levi Carter Park. The CCC was a special program created in the 1930s by the U.S. government to help young men find work during a tough economic time. They built a camp right in the park and started many important projects.

These projects included building new roads, removing old railroad bridges, and adding beautiful landscaping. They also constructed boardwalks for people to enjoy walks by the water. A major achievement was building the Omaha Municipal Beach. The CCC added sand, fixed up existing piers, and constructed large bathhouses. These bathhouses were so big they could serve up to 10,000 people at once! The bathhouses and a concessions building were later renovated by the City of Omaha Parks and Recreation department. In 2010, these buildings were recognized for their historical importance and added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the "New Deal Work Relief Projects in Nebraska."

Fun Times: Pleasure Pier and Kiddieland

For many years, Levi Carter Park was also home to a lively amusement area called the Pleasure Pier. This attraction opened in May 1949, built right on the edge of Carter Lake. It offered several rides for older visitors.

The Pleasure Pier also featured the Carter Lake Kiddieland, a special amusement park just for children! Kids could enjoy many different kiddie rides, pony carts, a ferris wheel, a boat ride, and even a miniature train. There was also a fun ride called a "doodle bug."

The Kiddieland amusement park closed its doors in 1959. A later owner built a marina for boats and added a few more rides to the area.

More recently, Levi Carter Park hosted the annual Z-bash music event from 1997 to 2005, organized by radio station Z-92. The park also continues to be the location for the annual Stone Soul Picnic, a popular community event held since the 1990s.

What You Can Do at Levi Carter Park Today

Today, Carter Lake is a fantastic place for water activities like water-skiing, fishing, and boating.

The park itself has many facilities for sports and recreation. You can find baseball fields, football fields, and basketball courts. There are also lovely paths for walking or biking, cozy picnic areas, and shelters for gatherings. Clean restrooms are available, along with a pavilion and plenty of open space for various activities.

See also

• Lists of parks in Omaha, Nebraska