South Haymarket Park

  • Project typePark Construction
  • Project valuePark: $25 Million
  • Project scheduleConstruction starts 2025, opening 2026
South Haymarket Park, birds eye view with State Capitol in background.

A destination park right in the heart of Lincoln’s Haymarket District.

Coming in 2026!

South Haymarket Park will be a high-amenity, urban park to serve as a catalyst for redevelopment of areas around the former industrial site southwest of downtown Lincoln. The project represents years of planning and community feedback that recommended a new neighborhood park to serve the downtown area. Located near 7th and N Streets, this 8.5-acre park will support economic development by stimulating and supporting private investments in the South Haymarket District. Park activity areas and amenities will provide outdoor recreation opportunities for those who live in, work in, and visit this inclusive, culturally enriching space. Amenities will include an interactive water feature, destination playground, dog park, and in-ground skate park. 

“South Haymarket Park will be a destination in this community for residents and visitors alike. We can’t wait to welcome Lincoln to this new space and watch it come to life.”
~ Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross.

 South Haymarket Park, rendering updated March 2024.


Park Amenities

  • A main welcome area at 7th & N Street, including a hearth feature to provide a place of gathering for the community
  • A community building that includes shaded, outdoor seating overlooking the park
  • Open lawn for recreational play
  • A canopy structure with porch swings overlooking the open lawn
  • A modern dog park to serve our four-legged, tail-wagging Lincolnites
  • Common Ground Plaza featuring a fun, interactive water feature and honoring the history of the area
  • An inclusive playground with unique zones offering different experiences for all ages and abilities
  • Public restrooms
  • Multiple shade structures for events and gatherings
  • A diverse mix of trees and plants, featuring an array of native species
  • A state-of-the-art, in-ground all wheels skatepark designed to host competitions, demonstrations, and jams
  • A trailhead in memory of Randy Gibson, a beloved community cyclist
  • The Chris Beutler Trail, which will wind through the west side of the park, connecting the N Street Protected Bikeway to the Jamaica North Trail (funded by Great Plains Trails Network)

Funding and Park Updates 

Project updates will occur periodically. Please check back in the future!

This campaign is led by Lincoln Parks Foundation, in partnership with Lincoln Parks & Recreation Department and the City of Lincoln. The park will be funded by a combination of public and private sources, including the City of Lincoln, federal grants, and generous donors. The campaign goal is $25 million which includes endowments for repair, replacement, and park programming.

Recent Announcements:

News Conference, April 25, 2023:  Plans for South Haymarket Park

 


Project FAQ's

What is the timeline for the Park and when will it open? 

  • April 2023:  Park Announcement 
  • 2024:  Design Development 
  • December 2024:  Campaign Goal Reached 
  • Summer 2025 - Early 2026:  Construction will occur
  • Summer 2026:  Anticipated completion of the park

Will the playground be inclusive? 

The playground will have four zones, with the design guided by  the goals of the Outdoor Inclusive Play Strategic Plan as adopted by the Lincoln Parks & Recreation Advisory Board in 2022. The intent is to have a playground accessible for all ages and abilities to play together.


Who are the designers of the park? 

GGN is working in partnership with local business (and South Haymarket Park neighbor) Olsson and Olsson Studio.


Who is the designer of the skate park? 

Olsson has partnered with Spohn Ranch, a California-based firm, to design the all-wheels skatepark. It will be designed to accommodate skateboards, scooters, in-line skaters, and BMX bicycle users of all skill levels. The designers are taking into consideration all the feedback provided by our community through the online survey and community input sessions from earlier this year. 


What are the environmental issues on the site? 

The site history is well documented through numerous historic soil and groundwater investigations.   

The entirety of the former Alter Scrap property was cleaned up to standards approved by EPA and the NDEE in 2018. 

An environmental covenant runs with the property in perpetuity which documents what cleanup has occurred and what restrictions still apply.  Restrictions include a prohibition on installing drinking water wells at the site and requirements to maintain a minimum amount of soil cover or hard surfacing to prevent exposure to deeper impacted soils. 

An Operations and Maintenance Plan has been prepared for the site to safely guide future development and will be used during planning & construction of South Haymarket Park.  

Funding FAQ's

This campaign is led by Lincoln Parks Foundation, in partnership with Lincoln Parks & Recreation Department and the City of Lincoln. The park will be funded by a combination of public and private sources, including the City of Lincoln, federal grants, and generous donors. Our campaign goal is $25 million which includes endowments for repair, replacement, and park programming.

For information about the South Haymarket Park Campaign, visit southhaymarketpark.com


How can I donate to this project? 

The Lincoln Parks Foundation is leading the campaign to raise funds for the park and plaza. Those interested in making a gift to the park are encouraged to contact 402-441-8258, donations can also be made online.


Are there park naming opportunities? 

There will be two naming opportunities associated with lead gifts for this park of 50% of total construction costs or 100% of the park endowment. 


What is the City’s contribution to the cost? 

The City’s contribution to date to South Haymarket Park is $4.4 million. However, taking into account the infrastructure improvements surrounding the Park (like streetscape, safe crossings, utilities, etc.), the City’s total investment is $10 million. 

News Releases and Conferences

2023

2022

2020

2019


Location

Southwest of 7th and "N" streets,    View Map

Google Map