After years of planning and community collaboration, a major outdoor recreation project is now open to the public in North Omaha.
According to an article by Omaha WOWT, Adams Park celebrated the grand opening of its new trail system on Sunday, drawing families, cyclists, and local leaders to mark the occasion.
“This has been a few years in the making,” said Bree Campbell, director of the Nebraska Interscholastic Cycling League.
The new system includes a wide array of features, such as an all-wheels playground, a pump track, a flow trail, and several miles of scenic trails designed to promote outdoor activity and nature engagement.
More than just a recreational upgrade, the project enhances citywide connectivity by linking Adams Park to nearby neighborhoods and parks.
“This does connect other parks, this does connect parts of the city,” Campbell explained. “It allows people to safely access parts of the neighborhoods that they might not have been able to previously access because of traffic and more dangerous intersections.”
The project originally began with a vision to expand access to mountain biking and outdoor recreation.
“This started as an idea to help different communities access the sport of mountain biking and all of the wonderful things that happen with that and outdoor recreation,” said Keenan Page, program director for Bike Collab, a youth-focused cycling initiative.
In 2021, Page and the nonprofit Trails Have Our Respect (THOR) launched the Omaha Natural Surface Trails Feasibility Study, kicking off four years of community outreach, planning, and construction.
“We were able to add a lot of community feedback just getting this trail launched and make it a reality,” Page said.
Adams Park now features one of Omaha’s few interactive trail systems. “To be able to have infrastructure like this that is truly cutting edge and truly a blast to ride makes our programming so much more effective for young people,” Page added.
Campbell echoed that sentiment, saying, “It’s a big accomplishment to have this park ready to go, ready for the community, and to see all the kids and the families using this park today. That has just made the last few years completely worth it.”
Another trail system is set to open in the coming months at Mandan Park in South Omaha, offering even more opportunities for residents to explore, connect, and stay active.
This development is a major step forward for outdoor recreation in urban areas. This highlights how trail infrastructure can bring accessibility, environmental connection, and family-friendly activity into city neighborhoods—expanding the meaning of outdoor adventure beyond traditional campsites and into the heart of communities.