(July 6, 2017)

Omaha’s new lake and recreation area needs a name.

Currently referred to as Dam Site 15A, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District developed the flood control reservoir and public recreation area northwest of 168th & Fort. The Omaha City Council approved an interlocal agreement in 2012 that allows the City of Omaha Parks Department to manage the dam site and surrounding park when it opens next spring.

The park will include a 4.5 mile concrete walking trail around the lake, playground, boat ramp and potentially a baseball field. Funds for the park are already included in the Capital Improvement Plan.

The City Naming Committee, established by city ordinance in 2010, will recommend a name to submit to the Park and Recreation Board and the Omaha City Council for approval. The committee includes three members appointed by the mayor and six department directors required by the ordinance (Police Chief, Fire Chief, Parks Director, Planning Director, Public Works Director, and Library Director). The appointed members are Douglas County Commissioners P.J. Morgan and Marc Kraft and Mike Kennedy.

This will be the first time the committee has met to name a park since the ordinance has been in place.

From now until July 24th, suggestions to name the lake and park can be made by email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The committee’s recommendation will be sent to the City Council by mid-August.

City ordinance 38803 specifically outlines the process for naming public property:

“Upon an application for a naming or renaming of a park property, any person or body reviewing, providing a recommendation on, or disposing of such an application shall take into consideration the following criteria:

(a) In naming or renaming city park property, consideration shall be primarily given to the following purposes: to honor and commemorate noteworthy persons associated with the city; to celebrate local history, places, events or culture; to strengthen neighborhood identity; or to recognize native wildlife, flora, fauna or natural features related to the community and the city.

(b) If an application is made to name or rename public park property after an individual,

this person shall have

(1) Demonstrated excellence of contributions to the city's development, community service, personal sacrifice for public service or national defense, or efforts to foster equality among the citizens of the city.

(2) Historical significance locally, nationally or globally with significant local or regional ties.

(c) Denial of an application may be appropriate if such naming or renaming may tend to bring disrepute upon the community for any reason, or would not be looked upon favorably by a majority of city residents.

(d) Titles, rank, or religious designations shall not be allowed on a public park property named for an individual. A nickname will also not be allowed, unless such person is best known by that nickname.

(e) In the case of naming or renaming a park or natural environmental feature after any person, such naming or renaming shall be prohibited until the person has been deceased for a period of at least five years. As an exception to this provision, the name of such person may be approved if such person shall have provided direct significant contributions of lands, funds, goods or services to the city, and/or parks and recreation department, or is being recognized for a foundation gift(s), and if such naming or renaming receives unanimous votes of approval by the parks advisory board and the city council.”

Other dam sites developed by the NRD and managed by the Omaha Parks, Recreation and Public Property Department include:

Zorinsky, named for former United States Senator and Omaha Mayor Ed Zorinsky

Standing Bear, named for Ponca Chief Standing Bear

Cunningham, named for former U.S. Congressman and Omaha Mayor Glenn Cunningham

Youngman, named for Omaha World-Herald war correspondent Lawrence Youngman. Youngman’s daughter was a principal donor to the park.