Omaha pioneered a comprehensive trail system dating back to the 1960s. Despite it being largely removed just a few years later, it grew to become one of the most extensive trail networks in the region.
The city had largely ignored its park system for the previous two decades when it was among 10 cities invited by the federal government to submit a formal plan for a network of bicycle trails in 1966. Laid out by park planner L. Boyd Clauson, a professional landscape architect, the 100-mile trail system included a series of connected loops that stretched from Hummel Park to Fontenelle Forest from north to south and from the Missouri River to Boys Town east to west.
By the time funding was received from the federal government, the trail system had shrunk to 90 miles. It utilized existing facilities and followed existing streets and boulevards for 61 miles with the remaining 29 miles following railroad rights-of-way.
Omaha, despite being the second smallest city to receive federal funds for the trail system, only trailed Phoenix when it came to the size of the network…