by Michael Totten

Created on: June 12, 2009   Last Updated: August 13, 2009

In many ways, Gene Leahy Mall, also known as Central Park or simply the Mall, is the heart of Omaha, Nebraska. Just across the street from Omaha's public library, this peaceful and scenic park also abuts the Old Market and the ConAgra campus, and is just a short walk east through greenspace to the much larger Heartland of America Park, home to the spectacular Heartland of America Fountain with its nighttime light show.

A long pathway winds around the 9.6 acres of the Mall, embracing a large lagoon which includes several waterfalls, a bridge, terraced stepping stones spanning shallow pools, and a duck pond with plenty of friendly ducks. The pathway passes through landscaped gardens, a children's playground, sculptures, and lawns perfect for picnicking. The Gene Leahy pathway also links to the Heartland of America pathway which goes all the way around the lake.

Younger visitors will enjoy the giant slides in the playgrounds. Those in the know bring wax paper to sit on, making the swoop down the slides even faster. For a bit of social exercise at a more relaxed pace, enjoy a game of horseshoes in the horseshoe pit.

Photographers will find Gene Leahy Mall an ideal place from which to shoot Omaha's city skyline, as well as the many historic buildings of the Old Market. When the sun catches the ice crystals in the atmosphere just right, the light scatters through the trees and behind the buildings to create spectacular halo effects rarely seen elsewhere.

In the last week of November until the end of December, during the Annual Holiday Lights Festival, the entire park is lit up with thousands of Christmas lights which play off the still and rippling waters. In the summer, outdoor concerts are held every weekend in the amphitheater. Featured music ranges all the way from classical music to cutting edge rock bands with the 'Omaha Sound,' one of the hottest new trends in modern rock. During the last weekend in June, the Gene Leahy Mall hosts the Omaha Summer Arts Festival, including Omaha's Tastefest and the ever popular Brewfest.

At the Old Market Historic District, visitors can have a comfortable parkside meal at one of the many restaurants. Afterward, why not browse through the Old Market's art galleries and shops?

Gene Leahy Mall will become even more accessible if the city proposal to bring back light rail is approved. The proposed line would run from the NoDo area, short for North Downtown, to Rosenblatt Stadium and the world-famous Henry Doorly Zoo in South Omaha.

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