SummerWorks, City of Omaha Create Mural at Hanscom Park

OMAHA - Thanks to the efforts of 150 teens, one of Omaha’s most historic neighborhoods is getting a small facelift as a new mural will be unveiled at the Hanscom Park Greenhouse on Friday, Aug. 22.

In a partnership between the City of Omaha Parks, Recreation and Public Property Department and University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) SummerWorks program, high school students from across Omaha have spent the past nine weeks painting a mural for the Hanscom Park Greenhouse, located at 1705 S. 32nd St.

Based on a design by local artist Kristen Pluhacek, the mural is 67’9” wide and 14’ tall, and depicts an image of Hanscom Park during its earliest days in the first years of the 1900s. The mural depiction includes citizens walking through flower gardens in the open air and through a rose-covered archway.

The formal unveiling of the mural will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 22. In attendance will be Omaha Parks and Recreation Director, Brook Bench; Hansom Park Neighborhood Association President, Jim Clements; UNO SummerWorks President, Kathleen Lyons and others.

Hanscom Park is one of Omaha’s oldest parks, having been donated to the city in October of 1872. According to the Hanscom Park Neighborhood Association, the park has served as a key recreation destination for more than a century, currently featuring indoor and outdoor sports; playgrounds; and more than 50 acres of lawns and flower gardens.

The mural will be the second major artistic addition to the Hanscom Park area in as many years. In July 2012, artist Craig Lee unveiled completed a large mural on the side of the O.K. Cleaners & Tailors building at 3519 Center St.

UNO’s SummerWorks program, which launched in 2011, is designed to provide summer jobs to area teens while giving back to the communities that they live in. This year, in addition to the mural, SummerWorks participants have cleaned up area parks, constructed a turtle habitat at Fontenelle Forest, and provided beautification to area landmarks like Lauritzen Gardens, Pipal Park, and Carter Lake.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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