The Wyuka Cemetery park redevelopment project has scored the remaining state funds needed to close it’s funding gap, and is progressing smoothly with pond renovations.
Nebraska lawmakers originally allocated $1.8 million in ARPA funds to renovate Wyuka’s pond, which sits in a storm-water run off zone and drains 255 acres of land, with the installation of hard limestone sides. However due to rising costs of materials and labor, Wyuka Facilities Director Greg Osborn appeared before the Legislatures Appropriations Committee in February to request an additional $375,000 — through a bill (LB 1380) introduced by State Senator Robert Dover.
Osborn shared with KLIN, the additional funds made it into the state’s budget for the year, and Governor Jim Pillen signed it into law on April 1st.
As for the project itself, Osborn says the pond now completely dredged — dug out and cleared of any mud, weeds, etc. That work is slated to be complete in late July 2024, and according to Osborn, their running on track.
“They’re in the process of doing some work to strengthen a few areas that needed additional work to support the new limestone walls… It’ll give the pond the very beautiful aspect of hard sites,” Osborn said.
There are four phases in the renovation of the first public park in Lincoln, established in 1869. First, pond refurbishments, or what Osborn calls “infrastructure.” Second, a revamp of the park space itself, including the installation of picnic areas and trails for public access. Third, the relocation and installation of the Pershing Mural, formerly featured on the now demolished Pershing Auditorium. Fourth, the installation of the an all-access inclusive playground.
“We’re in the process of raising private funds for the Pershing Mural, and we need all the help we can get for that… We have a lot of the engineering and everything already taken care of. We just need to get the funds raised so that we can start on that when we get finished with pond,” said Osborn, adding that mural installation is set for fall 2024 or early spring 2025.