Gene Leahy Mall: a Dog Downtown Destination

by | Aug 21, 2022

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The Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront has reopened after almost four years of remodeling and completely overhauling the urban oasis. A part of downtown Omaha was missed for a few years as the $325 million renovation took place. In July of 2022, Omaha residents flocked at the first chance to once again enjoy all that the Gene Leahy Mall has to offer. The 9.6 acres are filled with a wide variety of activities for the entire family – including your furry family members! The park reaches from Douglas to Farnam, between 13th and 8th streets.

The biggest attraction for dog lovers at the newly renovated Gene Leahy Mall is the 15,000-square-foot dog park. The dog park is split into two sections, for big dogs and small dogs. Both sections feature a water fountain for humans and a water bowl for dogs. There’s a button to fill the bowl with water so it never runs dry. The dog park features a mixture of turf and pea gravel for dogs to run on. There are rock benches under a young tree for you to sit in some shade and watch your dog play.

You’ll find many tennis balls for your dog to play fetch with. The entire dog park is fenced so your dog can roam around off-leash. They also included dog agility teeters for your dog to practice on. Though the trees are still young and don’t provide a ton of shade, both sections of the park include a tunnel for your dog to sit under and cool off on those hot summer afternoons.

In addition to the dog park, the entire Gene Leahy Mall is dog friendly and was designed with four-legged friends in mind. Take your dog for a stroll on the spacious path around the mall. Let your dog enjoy some water fun at the cascade fountain. As you walk, take a moment to appreciate the art and sculptures. Relax with your dog for a bit and listen to some live music at the pavilion. There are over 40,000 square feet of lawns to lay out a picnic blanket and cuddle your pup for a while.

The Gene Leahy Mall has many fun events planned, even some specifically for dogs! They put on a Puppy Parade during their grand opening in early July. Dog Gone Problems has been hosting free dog training events weekly, including leash training, clicker training, and more. Check The RiverFront’s website under the events tab to keep up with future dog-friendly events.

This Omaha Park is home to beautiful flowers, trees, and one of the city’s best dog parks. With a huge area for your pup to run around and play with other dogs, this park will give your pet hours of fun. Bring your camera, you’ll want lots of photos in this gorgeous spot! The park also includes free wifi if you want to set up your office for the day and enjoy the scenery while you get work done.

If you have children, they will love the Arches Playground area. It includes a climbing wall, a large sandbox, slides, a rope forest, and more. The playground is covered in turf, perfect for preventing scratches and keeping your kiddos from getting muddy. The park also prioritizes safety with their 24/7 security and by making all areas of the park well lit. Enjoy the bright Omaha skyline at nighttime with your family while feeling safe. The park is open every day from 5 am to 11 pm.

One of the priorities of the renovation of the Gene Leahy Mall was sustainability. “Throughout renovations of Gene Leahy Mall, Heartland of America Park and Lewis & Clark Landing, many community assets were preserved, restored or repurposed, some even redistributed into various parts of the city. Items such as artwork, benches and handrails were upcycled for continued use; limestone has been carefully removed and is being utilized in another city park; and pallets of bricks were collected and stored for preservation of the Old Market’s historic cobblestone streets. Other pieces, such as existing boardwalk pallets, are being reused in parts of The RiverFront,” the website reads.

There is so much to see and do at the Gene Leahy Mall. The mall also offers events like Friday Night Flicks, photo ops with princesses and superheroes, morning yoga, live music, food truck nights, Art Jam, and so much more. There is something for everyone at this Omaha gem. Stop by and see the all-new Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront with your furry friend!