The New Park
When I was a little girl living in Norfolk, Nebraska, I used to meet Aunt Marilyn in the park that was situated just over the Elkhorn River bridge, about halfway between her house and mine. Marilyn is just four years older than I am, so we were raised more like cousins than aunt and niece. We loved to play in that park; we especially loved the wide slide. So when Marilyn told me, not too long ago, that the playground had been demolished to make way for a new and better park, I was a little skeptical.
While we were in Norfolk recently for a family reunion, I asked Bill to drive by the park so I could take a look. The change was so dramatic that Bill and I walked all over the new park. It had been turned into a river walk!
When Marilyn and I played in the park so long ago, we weren't really aware that the park bordered the river, because it wasn't at all accessible to the park. But now! A new, wide biking and hiking path borders the river, even crossing the river with a new foot bridge. And the river itself has been edged with a sandy beach and huge, flat rocks, making it possible to sit in the middle of the river, on a rock right next to a waterfall, without even getting wet. At least three waterfalls have been added to the river, and people are encouraged to don a lifejacket, free of charge, and raft down the river. We spotted several people rafting on the river that afternoon.
And then, there was the railroad bridge. I remember one time when I was seven or eight, when Marilyn and I were exploring the neighborhood with a friend of hers. The older girls decided that we were all going to cross the railroad bridge. They had crossed it before, but I wasn't at all happy about the thought of doing anything so dangerous and undoubtedly forbidden. I followed along anyway because I didn't really have a choice. As we made our way across the old bridge, the river seemed a long ways below us, and I was terrified that a train would come. We made it safely to the other side, but then we had to turn around and scamper back across the bridge to go home. What a relief it was when we finally made it back across!
Now, the top part of the bridge has been removed from its original location and added to the path where it is perfectly safe to walk across. I could still see the actual railroad bridge, not too far away, where it still carries trains across the river, at least occasionally. But I am so glad that the neighborhood kids won't be tempted to cross that bridge when there is a much more interesting one that they can safely cross.
Besides the water features and path, the park also contains a splash pad and fully equipped playground, with more than one slide. The picnic shelter was being used for a birthday party, and some kids were playing basketball on the full size basketball court, which was fenced in with ice hockey boards. The icemaking equipment was enclosed nearby, and a sign made mention of a Zamboni. I was not surprised to find provisions for ice skating, since Marilyn and I often walked to a different park to ice skate in the winter. Years ago, the city of Norfolk always flooded parts of several parks so the kids could skate. I imagine that a refrigerated ice skating area is a necessity now, though, since our recent winters haven't been cold enough to maintain solid ice.
Finally, Bill took note of the concert area, including a stage facing a spacious, grassy area surrounded with lamp posts, each having a couple of outlets so venders could set up their booths, and performers could plug in their equipment. I'm quite sure that it would be a great location for a flea market, as well.
I think some other Nebraska communities should take notice of Norfolk's new and improved park, and of their revitalized, bustling downtown. We were definitely impressed!
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| Some of these lifejackets were still wet. |
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