Black and white photograph (21.5 x 16.5 cm.) of Riverview Park located at 3625 South 10th Street in Omaha, Nebraska. The view is looking across a tree-lined pond toward two people standing on the other side. On the reverse side written in pencil is: Riverview Park.
Riverview Park was established in the late 1890s and early 1900s. In keeping with H.W.S. Cleveland's philosophy that parkland should be secured before city growth reaches the area, Park Commissioners selected a parcel of land located along the Missouri River and between Omaha and South Omaha. The property was so hilly that: the land could not support a table on four legs (City of Omaha Planning Dept., p. 16). Problems arose with landowners over the purchase and the city acquired 111.57 acres by condemnation proceedings between 1893 and 1899, paying a total of $90,053.50 for the land. From 1899 to 1917 the city spent $125,000 for improvements and maintenance (Wakeley, p. 161). Present boundaries of the park are Interstate 80, Riverview Blvd, and Grover street on the north and east, Gifford Drive and railroad tracks on the south, and 10th street on the west. The spectacular vistas of the Missouri River gave the park its name. Cleveland was unsure about incorporating the terrain of the land into a workable park. H.W.S. Cleveland's health failed before he could begin work. Park Superintendent W.R. Adams completed the plans which included a lagoon and scenic drives. Almost from the beginning, Riverview Park has had an association with animals. In 1896, park officials added a collection of animals to the park. A moose was bought for $150, a bear for $25 and fish were moved in for $1.00 (City Planning Dept., p. 18). In 1964, the park was leased to the Omaha Zoological Society as the site for the Henry Doorly Zoo. Sources: City of Omaha Planning Dept. Omaha's Historic Park and Boulevard System. March 1992, p. 16-18; Wakeley, Arthur. Omaha: the Gate City. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1917, p. 161.
