The Heartland of America Park at the RiverFront exemplifies how thoughtful lighting can address practical concerns like security and environmental impact while creating a space that invites connection, celebration, and appreciation of open space.
Heartland of America is the second phase of the RiverFront revitalization, which reconnects downtown Omaha to the Missouri River with a network of thoughtfully illuminated spaces. With sensitivity to the parks’ urban context and history, the lighting design transforms a site that was previously run-down, uninviting, and had a reputation for nighttime crime, into a modern, safe, and welcoming space for a diverse community.
Nighttime visual comfort was critical to the lighting team. After extensive mockups, lighting was carefully designed to manage glare and contrast. All fixtures are fully dimmable and arranged to enhance the park’s ambiance while preserving night vision.
Throughout the park, programmable lights illuminate grand architectural features, creating visual anchors and focal points. At the eastern edge of the park, the iconic Farnam Pier extends over a working railroad to provide sweeping views of the Missouri River. Dynamic RGBW lighting mounted above and below the pier is inspired by the colors of specific flowers and plants in the park’s landscape design. The colors slowly fade along the length of the pier, matching pace with visitors as they walk toward the river overlook. Above the skating rink, high-power accent lights are programmed to compensate for the different reflectance values of the gray concrete for roller skating in the summer and the white ice for ice skating in the winter. The dynamic lighting also indicates the flow of skate traffic.
