In mid to late December, we hosted a series of focus groups in the Levi Carter Park neighborhood to gather feedback on the design direction and amenities for the Levi Carter Park Activity and Sports Complex.

As a reminder, we envision this facility serving local and city-wide residents, community sports leagues, youth programs, and neighborhood groups by providing access to sports-related facilities, multi-purpose meeting rooms, and health and technology access. You can brush up on more Levi Carter Park Activity and Sports Complex information here.

Below, you’ll find a summary of the key feedback themes from focus group meetings and how they will be addressed in the facility's design and operation. Items labeled as “quick wins” are those that were directly suggested by participants and successfully incorporated in the current design. While the project is still in the design and budgeting phase, we want to be transparent: all features, including the quick wins, are subject to refinement as we finalize costs. That said, your input guides our priorities. We are working hard to retain as many community-driven ideas as possible, and we’ll continue to keep you updated throughout the process.

• Multi-purpose Facility, Room Uses & Additional Activities

• Most courts, fields, and facility spaces are designed for multiple sports and activities, with permanent markings for basketball and volleyball and temporary lines for seasonal play, such as indoor pickleball and outdoor soccer.
• Future uses like rugby, flag football, baseball, and softball are being considered for nearby projects, though parks and recreation will monitor and adjust based on demand.
• Multi-purpose meeting rooms, equipped with audio-visual capabilities for virtual sessions, will be available to the community through a reservation system and will not require meetings to be open to the public. (quick-win)

• Hours of Operation and Staffing
  • The City anticipates hours of operation to be similar to Common Ground (1701 Veterans Dr, Elkhorn, NE 68022), though this has not yet been finalized.
  • The facility will be maintained by full-time staff and grounds will be kept by Parks and Recreation maintenance crews.

• Fitness Room Access
  • The fitness room will not be reserved for specific organizations, but teams may purchase memberships for access. (quick-win)

• Technology & Connectivity
  • WiFi will be provided throughout the indoor facility, parking lots near the facility, and outdoor fields. (quick-win)
  • The facility will not offer a dedicated podcast room. We recommend Do Space, currently offered in Abraham Library (5111 N 90th St, Omaha, NE 68134). However, the telehealth rooms and other flexible areas within the facility can be utilized for podcasting. These spaces are designed to accommodate various users, although they won't have specific technology or designated areas for podcasts.
  • Outdoor audio-visual hookups will support the potential for outdoor performances and community events. Although the current budget does not cover full audio-visual hookups, the plans include the installation of empty conduits to accommodate future needs in the performance areas. This applies to both the fire lane and the park road at the north and south sides of the open green space. (quick-win)

• Field Access
  • Fields will have fencing and netting to protect balls from rolling off fields for safety but will remain open for public use unless reserved. (quick-win)

• Seating & Shade
  • Two picnic structures with fixed picnic tables, along with two shade structures with fixed tables and chairs near the building will be provided. Bleachers will be provided indoors, and additional space outside around the fields will allow for temporary and mobile seating. (quick-win)

• Storage
  • Limited storage will be available for program partners. However, groups should plan to transport their supplies in and out as needed. (quick-win)

• Court, Turf, and Use Adjustments
  • Indoor court facilities will include scorekeeping capabilities, including monitors for scorekeeping and power sources at each court for shot clocks and score tables. (quick-win)
  • Due to the awarded grant requirements, the facility must include a minimum of 10 courts, limiting the ability to add indoor turf for alternative uses such as agility training, futsal, or batting cages. The investment in outdoor turf is expected to accommodate agility training and other sports. While it may not be fully usable during the winter months, it will extend the typical season for practice and other activities.
  • Due to our limited scope, there are certain activities that will not have dedicated permanent space implemented now, but have the potential to be added later, after assessing City resources. These items have also been included in Master Plan feedback, to inform the growth and future use of additional recreational spaces planned throughout Omaha, including: batting tunnels, golf simulator, frisbee golf, concrete pump track, playground, dog run, outdoor pickleball courts, ping pong tables.
• Food & Concessions
  • A small indoor concession stand and local food trucks offering nutritious options will provide food and beverages during games and tournaments.
  • The small interior concessions space will include receptacles for warming cabinets, refrigerators, microwaves, and counter space. Vending machines will also be available.
• Pricing & Reservations
  • While facility entry will be free, some spaces (such as courts, the wrestling room, etc.) will have a modest rental fee. The City is developing a pricing structure to ensure affordability for community groups.
  • Memberships to the facility will also be offered, securing flexible use of the weightroom and other facilities. (quick-win)
• Security & Safety
  • Security will be managed through an administrative checkpoint. Metal detectors will not be installed. The City is actively working with authorities to enhance safety around the park.
• Multi-Mobility, Sustainability & Infrastructure
  • The design team has coordinated with the Metro Transit Authority to identify a potential future bus stop near the site. While no bus stop is currently planned within Levi Carter Park, its need will be evaluated and adjusted as necessary.
  • The facility has identified a future location for a B-cycle station, offering 10 e-bikes. Ongoing conversations are happening to explore implementation.
  • While geothermal and solar panels were considered, they were deemed cost prohibitive. Permeable paving also poses high maintenance costs for parks and recreation, so alternative solutions are being explored.
• Parking
  • Overflow parking will be managed on a case-by-case basis. We recognize that ample parking is essential to the project's success, and we are committed to balancing budget constraints and grant requirements while maximizing available parking.
• Future Adaptability
  • While expansion is not currently planned, structural elements are being sized to allow for potential enhancements, such as the future addition of roll-out turf.
• Miscellaneous
  • The site will incorporate a flag pole. (quick-win)