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Omaha Magazine readers have named Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront the Best City Park in the 2027 Best of Omaha awards, announced November 1.
It is the park's fifth consecutive win in the category, starting in 2023 following Gene Leahy Mall's reopening.
Best of Omaha is decided by public vote, which makes the honor a direct reflection of how Omaha residents feel about the park.
"This award belongs to everyone who spreads a blanket on the lawn, brings a kid to the play area or walks their dog along the water," said Adam Straight, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA), which manages The RiverFront. "Community First is our first core value, and a park voted best by the community is the clearest proof of what that value looks like in practice."
Gene Leahy Mall opened in 1977 and was renamed in 1992 for former Omaha Mayor Gene Leahy. After a multi-year renovation, it reopened on July 1, 2022, as the centerpiece of The RiverFront, MECA's 72-acre civic park connecting downtown Omaha to the Missouri River.
The 14.5-acre mall includes:
The renovation has already drawn national attention. Love Exploring named the park the best new attraction in Nebraska in 2023.
Day-to-day care is a team effort. MECA's parks staff handle everything from seasonal plantings and event setup to the early-morning cleanup that guests rarely see.
"Our crew puts in the work long before the first visitor arrives, and a win like this tells them it shows," said Jaden Hill, MECA's Senior Director of Parks. "People tell us they come here to relax, to celebrate and to meet up with friends. We want every one of those visits to feel easy and welcoming."
Gene Leahy Mall is free and open to the public in downtown Omaha as part of The RiverFront. Visitors can find hours, events and park details at theriverfrontomaha.com.
"To everyone who cast a vote, thank you," said Straight. "This park is yours."