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The RiverFront is a park for everyone, including individuals of varying needs, ages and abilities. Renovations throughout all three parks incorporate gradually or gently sloping pathways, promenades and plazas that may accommodate visitors who utilize a wheelchair or mobility device. Signage placed throughout The RiverFront helps visitors easily identify the nearest accessible route, providing connection to all major attractions and amenities. Additionally, companion seating is available within the park’s various assembly spaces, including along fixed benches and picnic tables.
The RiverFront’s playgrounds and structures are also accessible, with slides equipped with transfer systems, climbing structures that offer interactive opportunities and low impact play features for individuals who may be prone to overstimulation. An identifiable trailway provides a link between each of these areas, with foundations designed to support mobility.
Wheelchair accessible facilities are available in both the public and family restrooms with locations in each of The RiverFront’s three parks. In Gene Leahy Mall, the restroom is located by the Arches Playground near 11th and Farnam Streets. In Heartland of America Park, a restroom facility is attached to the Skate Ribbon Kiosk near 8th and Farnam Streets. In Lewis & Clark Landing, the restrooms are on the east side of the Destination Playground in proximity to the Missouri River. More information can be found in The RiverFront’s ADA Accessibility map below.
The RiverFront is an inclusive, culturally enriching space that creates connectivity throughout the heart of downtown Omaha and reconnects its people with the Missouri River. Robust park programming and daily activities provides unique opportunities to build memories, strengthen the bond of community and cultivate local economic growth.
The RiverFront is in downtown Omaha, Nebraska. and comprises three parks: Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing.
Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront will celebrate its grand opening on July 1, 2022. This park spans from Douglas to Farnam, between 13th and 8th streets.
Lewis & Clark Landing at The RiverFront is located along the Missouri River north of Riverfront Drive, and was completed on August 18th, 2023.
Heartland of America Park at The RiverFront is the largest of the three components, just east of 8th Street. The was completed on August 18th, 2023.
The Downtown Riverfront Trust (DRT) is a private nonprofit created to collect funds for construction and activation of The RiverFront, with the DRT contributing approximately $250 million in generous donations for this massive project.
The City of Omaha also contributed $50 million for construction over the course of three years. The City announced plans to use Lease-Purchase bonds to cover the costs, without requiring a tax increase.
The City and DRT will each contribute $3 million annually for 10 years to a fund managed by the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) for operation, maintenance and activation costs. The money in this fund will accumulate over a 10-year period for future park expenses. The contract also requires that $500,000 from this fund will be set aside in the capital reserve fund each year for future capital expenses at The RiverFront.
The RiverFront’s funds are kept separate from MECA’s budgets for the CHI Health Center Omaha arena and convention center and Charles Schwab Field Omaha ballpark.
The RiverFront Cascades are open seasonally. Daily operating hours are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with the Cascades closed every Tuesday.
Safety has been a primary consideration during The RiverFront’s design and construction process. This is demonstrated with ample and intentional architectural accent lighting that helps with visibility while reducing glare and blind spots, to enhance security throughout.
By raising Gene Leahy Mall to street level, opening up and leveling out Heartland of America Park, interconnecting Lewis & Clark Landing and eliminating dark corners, The RiverFront redesign creates more activatable space, inviting larger crowd sizes that reduce the likelihood of unacceptable behaviors.
The RiverFront has a full-time public safety staff on site 24/7 to ensure the safety and security of all visitors.
Each of The RiverFront’s three parks have permanent restroom facilities.
The RiverFront has been engineered to welcome visitors of all ages, abilities and needs. The wayfinding and navigational design throughout the park accounts for the use of wheelchairs and mobility devices.
For more information about accessibility features within each park, click HERE.
From the start of construction to daily operations, The RiverFront was designed with sustainability and longevity in mind. Visit our Sustainability page to learn more.
Yes, there is free Wi-Fi in the park. Connect to The RiverFront Network to log in.
See the Getting Here section for directions, transportation and parking options.
Please note: Always read and adhere to posted signs, which supersede and may be more current than instructions listed on this website. Citations will be issued by the Omaha Police Department (OPD) and Park Omaha for illegal parking.
Please visit our Support page to learn about all sponsorship opportunities at The RiverFront.
Additionally, The RiverFront has a variety of venues and destinations available for hourly or daily rentals, capable of accommodating a number of events. To host your next gathering at The RiverFront, visit our Event Inquiries page.
To inquire about paid positions at The RiverFront, visit our Employment section. Information about volunteer opportunities will be coming soon.
For more information about becoming a food vendor at The RiverFront or to learn more about program partner opportunities, please contact us by using the form on our Program Partnerships page.
Yes, your canine companion is welcome at The RiverFront! Dogs may run off leash at the Gene Leahy Mall Dog Park located near 8th and Douglas streets; click HERE for a map. The Dog Park features big and small dog sides, furnished with tunnels for crawling, hills for climbing and artificial turf for easy cleanup.
In all other public areas of The RiverFront dogs must be leashed.
We ask that you please clean up after your pets. The Dog Park is open during regular park hours.
Waste and recycling bins have been placed throughout The RiverFront. We ask that you please dispose of appropriate materials in their identified receptacles.
As a public park, we reserve the right to use photography of any individual in our promotional materials displayed in print on the internet.
You are welcome to snap selfies and capture The RiverFront’s scenic views.
However, a permit and rental fee are required if filming or photography is for commercial use, will restrict any areas of the park or will use equipment beyond a single tripod. To apply for a permit, visit our rental page HERE.
Yes, recycling bins are located throughout The RiverFront along with water-bottle refilling stations.
Visit the Event Inquiries page or contact theriverfront@omahameca.com with event planning inquiries.
To operate the fire pits, first locate the controls located on a brown pedestal near the fire pit. On the side of this bar, pull out the red circular button. Once this has been pulled out, turn the timer dial located under the top flap of the pedestal. Set the timer by turning the dial past ten minutes, and within a few seconds, the fire pit should turn on.
If the fire pit does not turn on, push in the red button to shut off the fire pit and contact a park ambassador or another member of The RiverFront team for assistance.