Neighborhood Park

LPS Lot 18th and Folkways - Neighborhood Park

In the North Hills neighborhood of Lincoln, Nebraska, near the intersection of North 18th Street and Folkways Boulevard, there is a parcel of land with a notable history. Originally, Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) acquired this land with the intention of constructing an elementary school. However, as plans evolved and the need for a school at that location diminished, LPS decided the land was no longer required for educational purposes. During its ownership, LPS neither dedicated nor managed the parcel for recreational activities, leaving it essentially vacant.

Recognizing an opportunity to enhance community amenities, the City of Lincoln proposed purchasing approximately 0.8 acres (35,000 square feet) of this larger LPS-owned parcel to develop a new neighborhood park. The envisioned park aimed to serve the surrounding residential areas, providing much-needed recreational space for residents. The plan included the city’s acquisition of the northeastern corner of the LPS property, with the remaining land anticipated to be sold for housing development.

The proposed park site is characterized by gently sloping terrain covered with cool-season grasses. It is situated outside of the 100-year floodplain associated with Salt Creek and falls within the North Salt Creek Drainage Sub-basin. The area includes soil types such as Yutan silty clay loam, with slopes ranging from 6 to 11 percent.

The City of Lincoln planned to finalize the purchase of the replacement park within 3 to 6 months following approval of the conversion request. Subsequent development aimed to make the site available to the public for outdoor recreational purposes within another 3 to 6 months post-acquisition. Funding for park development was included in Lincoln Parks and Recreation’s fiscal year 2021/22 Capital Improvement Program, construction was anticipated to be completed by spring 2022. As of February 2022 there is mention of a NW Community park in the project goals for Outdoor Inclusive Play projects but it is unclear if this is the same location. As of March 2025, we have not found updated information regarding progress.

2025-03 Update from J.J. Yost - Assistant Director of Parks

"LPS provided us with a quitclaim deed to transfer ownership of 0.80 acres on the southwest corner of Folkways Blvd. and N 18th Street from School District to the City of Lincoln for development of a neighborhood park. This transaction could not be finalized until approved through the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program conversion process administered by the National Park Service. This federal process is certainly not a quick one but was necessary, so the City of Lincoln remains in compliance and eligible for future funding support.

The next step for us (Parks Dept.) is to identify funding for the purchase and installation of play equipment/park features. Our primary funding source for park development is impact fees that are collected specifically for the development of new neighborhood parks and for expansion of the City’s commuter/recreational trail system. With the recent construction of the Fletcher Landmark and Stonebridge Trails in this impact fee (IF Zone 2) benefit district, there currently is not enough funding available to proceed with park construction. We will need to accumulate additional impact fees (paid by home builders at the time of securing a building permit) and/or look for alternative funding such as with submittal of our next Capital Improvement Program, grants, etc. With that in mind, I am not able to provide a timeline for park development."

If you have questions regarding this project, the HOA recommends reaching out to Lincoln Parks and Rec

Web - https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation

Phone - 402-441-7847

Email - parks@lincoln.ne.gov

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