The smack of a baseball bat almost determined the future of this North Omaha neighborhood early on. A golf course, beautiful pavilion, and annual fireworks display kept it alive.

Today, the park is a thriving natural environment and a place of education that inspires people to care for the quiet wild. It has something for everyone, with a variety of landscapes and trails to explore. You’ll be glad you read this!

Golf Course

A scenic city course, this 18-hole golf course is a favorite with locals. It is well-maintained and offers a challenging game for players of all skill levels. The facility also has a pro shop and an on-site restaurant.

In the late 1800s, the City of Omaha hired a parks designer to lay out a plan for the city’s major parks, including a golf course at Fontenelle Park. Cleveland’s plan called for the park to be surrounded by long, meandering boulevards that were nice to drive on.

Unfortunately, none of Cleveland’s plans came to fruition at Fontenelle. By 1949, the city had paved over Lover’s Lane and hoped to add more baseball facilities. By the 1950s, white flight was gripping North Omaha. The neighborhood was becoming predominantly African American, and whites were fleeing the area to escape racial change. The park was renamed after Logan Fontenelle in 1955, but it didn’t really start to thrive until the early 1980s.

Picnic Areas

Located in the north part of Omaha, Fontenelle Forest is a park with hiking and biking trails and picnic areas. It is named after Logan Fontenelle who was an interpreter for the Omaha tribe in the mid-1800s. He negotiated treaties with the government for the Omaha people.

This park was purchased by the City of Omaha in 1893 as part of a grand parks and boulevards scheme for Omaha designed by Horace Cleveland. The plan was to have large parks in each section of the city with beautiful vistas and long, meandering boulevards for the city to drive on.

Today the park is a favorite spot for outdoor lovers. The trails are well-marked and easy to follow. The picnic area is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the quiet wild of nature. The forest is also home to several species of birds and animals. It is a must-see for those living in the area. Here is another spot to visit.

Walking Trails

Several trails at the park offer scenic views of wildlife and Nebraska trees. These are a great option for families looking to get a little exercise in and get out of town but still be IN the city. The trails are stroller-friendly, but I recommend bringing a stroller carrier for younger kids to ensure your family’s comfort and safety.

The nature center also hosts a wide variety of camps for kids, from “Grandparents and Me” to Engineering Camps. Check their website to see if they have the kind of camp that your family would like.

Heidi Seals, a forest educator at Fontenelle, recommends hiking the History Trail. Along this trek, you can view lodging sites from Native American people, touch the bark of trees that sprouted before our country was born, and trace the ruts of an old trading post road. It is a beautiful walk that will inspire you to remember the fortitude of pioneers.

Dog Park

This North Omaha neighborhood park has grass for your pup to run around and a walking trail you can take with him. It also has a playground, basketball hoops, and covered picnic areas. It is located in the Green Meadows neighborhood and is a great place to bring your dog for some exercise and fun. After the workout, you can grab a bite to eat at the nearby Potbelly Sandwich Shop.

Quality parks and recreation opportunities are important factors in determining the overall quality of life for a community and its citizens. Across the metro area, park upgrades and new sports and recreational complexes are taking shape thanks to American Rescue Plan Act funding and a mix of private philanthropic and entrepreneurial investment.

The Nebraska Multi Sports Complex will include 12 multipurpose turf fields for soccer, lacrosse, rugby, and baseball. Continue reading about Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

Driving directions from Nava MedSpa to Fontenelle Park

Driving directions from Fontenelle Park to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium