Canopy Yard
A Green Getaway in Downtown Lincoln
Near 7th and N Streets
Campaign goal: $25 million
The Vision
Canopy Yard will be a high-amenity urban park, kickstarting redevelopment in the former industrial area southwest of Downtown Lincoln.
The 8.5-acre park will offer inclusive recreation opportunities for everyone who lives in, works in, and visits this beautiful outdoor space.
South of the Haymarket. In the middle of everything.
Park Highlights: Your Future Favorite Spots
A warm welcome
A main welcome area with a hearth feature at 7th & N Street
Lots of green
An open lawn and a variety of native trees and plants
Spot for pups
A modern dog park to serve our four-legged, tail-wagging Lincolnites
Playground for all
An inclusive playground offering different experiences for all ages and abilities
Access to trails
A trailhead in memory of Randy Gibson, a beloved community cyclist
Places to gather
A community building, plus plenty of shaded spaces and seating
Porch swings
A canopy structure with porch swings overlooking the lawn
Water play area
A plaza with a fun, interactive water feature that honors the history of the area
When you need it…
Accessible public restrooms
Wheels up
A state-of-the-art skatepark for competitions, demonstrations, and jams
Building a Better Lincoln
Workforce Development
Urban parks offer many of the amenities young professionals and families want.
Healthy Lifestyles
This area lacks a walkable park. Building one is part of our effort to improve park accessibility.
A Greener Downtown
Urban green spaces improve the environment — cleaning the air and filtering stormwater.
A Connected City
A trail between N and J Streets will link the Haymarket area to southern neighborhoods, the citywide trail system, and Lincoln’s future downtown Multimodal Transportation Center.
Revitalizing the Area
The park will bring the energy and economic vitality of the broader Downtown community into a previously underused space.
A Bird’s Eye View
Welcome Area
A main welcome area at 7th & N Street, including a hearth feature to provide a place of gathering for the community
Recreational Lawn
Open lawn for recreational play
The Canopy
A canopy structure with porch swings overlooking the open lawn
The Skatepark
A state-of-the-art, in-ground all wheels skatepark designed to host competitions, demonstrations, and jams
Common Ground Plaza
Common Ground Plaza featuring a fun, interactive water feature and honoring the history of the area
Dog Park
A modern dog park to serve our four-legged, tail-wagging Lincolnites
The Chris Beutler Trail
The Chris Beutler Trail, which will wind through the west side of the park, connecting the N Street Protected Bikeway to the Jamaica North Trail (funded by Great Plains Trails Network)
Community Building
A community building that includes shaded, outdoor seating overlooking the park
Shade Structures
Multiple shade structures for events and gatherings
Public Restrooms
Inclusive Playground
An inclusive playground with unique zones offering different experiences for all ages and abilities
Randy Gibson Trailhead
A trailhead in memory of Randy Gibson, a beloved community cyclist
Diverse Foliage
A diverse mix of trees and plants, featuring an array of native species
A
A main welcome area at 7th & N Street, including a hearth feature to provide a place of gathering for the community
C
Open lawn for recreational play
E
A modern dog park to serve our four-legged, tail-wagging Lincolnites
G
An inclusive playground with unique zones offering different experiences for all ages and abilities
I
Multiple shade structures for events and gatherings
K
A state-of-the-art, in-ground all wheels skatepark designed to host competitions, demonstrations, and jams
B
A community building that includes shaded, outdoor seating overlooking the park
D
A canopy structure with porch swings overlooking the open lawn
F
Common Ground Plaza featuring a fun, interactive water feature and honoring the history of the area
H
Public restrooms
J
A diverse mix of trees and plants, featuring an array of native species
L
A trailhead in memory of Randy Gibson, a beloved community cyclist
M
The Chris Beutler Trail, which will wind through the west side of the park, connecting the N Street Protected Bikeway to the Jamaica North Trail (funded by Great Plains Trails Network)
A
A main welcome area at 7th & N Street, including a hearth feature to provide a place of gathering for the community
B
A community building that includes shaded, outdoor seating overlooking the park
C
Open lawn for recreational play
D
A canopy structure with porch swings overlooking the open lawn
E
A modern dog park to serve our four-legged, tail-wagging Lincolnites
F
Common Ground Plaza featuring a fun, interactive water feature and honoring the history of the area
G
An inclusive playground with unique zones offering different experiences for all ages and abilities
H
Public restrooms
I
Multiple shade structures for events and gatherings
J
A diverse mix of trees and plants, featuring an array of native species
K
A state-of-the-art, in-ground all wheels skatepark designed to host competitions, demonstrations, and jams
L
A trailhead in memory of Randy Gibson, a beloved community cyclist
M
The Chris Beutler Trail, which will wind through the west side of the park, connecting the N Street Protected Bikeway to the Jamaica North Trail (funded by Great Plains Trails Network)
Part of a Bigger Plan
Years of planning and community input have shaped this vision. Canopy Yard is next to Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket. Adding this space on the south end of Canopy Street will complete the vision for the West Haymarket area, opening the next wave of housing and redevelopment in the area.
About the Skate Park
Canopy Yard will feature the largest skatepark between Des Moines and Denver. It has been a dream of local skate advocates for decades.
This state-of-the-art, in-ground facility will accommodate all skill levels and non-motorized wheel sports. At around 25,000 square feet, the modern concrete terrain will include both street and transition-style elements. Spohn Ranch of Los Angeles, California, is leading the design.
The skatepark will be capable of hosting competitions, demonstrations, and jams. With skateboarding now an Olympic sport, this facility adds an exciting new dimension to Lincoln’s parks.
How You Can Help
Give to the project.
Help us create an extraordinary park. Every gift brings us closer to a greener, more vibrant Lincoln.
Become a corporate sponsor.
Join us in shaping Lincoln’s future with sponsorship opportunities that align with your values and goals.
About This Capital Campaign
This campaign is led by the Lincoln Parks Foundation in partnership with the Lincoln Parks and Recreation department and the City of Lincoln. The park will be funded by a combination of public and private sources, including the City of Lincoln, federal grants, and generous donors. Our campaign goal is $25 million, which includes endowments for repair, replacement, and park programming.
FAQ
What’s the timeline for the park development?
- April 2023: Park Announcement
- 2024: Design Development
- December 2024: Campaign Goal Reached
- Summer 2025 – Early 2026: Construction
- Summer 2026: Anticipated Park Completion
Will the playground be inclusive?
The playground will feature four zones, designed according to the Outdoor Inclusive Play Strategic Plan adopted by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in 2022. The goal is to create a playground accessible for all ages and abilities to enjoy together.
Who is designing the park?
GGN is collaborating with local business Olsson and Olsson Studio.
Who is designing the skate park?
Olsson has partnered with Spohn Ranch, a California-based firm, to design the all-wheels skatepark. It will accommodate skateboards, scooters, in-line skaters, and BMX bicycle users of all skill levels, incorporating community feedback from surveys and input sessions.
What are the environmental issues on the site?
The site’s history is documented through extensive soil and groundwater investigations. The former Alter Scrap property was cleaned up to EPA and NDEE standards in 2018. An environmental covenant ensures long-term safety, prohibiting drinking water wells and requiring soil cover or hard surfaces to prevent exposure to deeper soils. An Operations and Maintenance Plan will guide the site’s future development and be used during the planning and construction of Canopy Yard.