The Peter Kiewit Foundation has awarded the City of Norfolk a $500,000 grant to provide capital support for the Johnson Park Revitalization Project.
The restoration of Johnson Park includes the establishment of an amphitheater with a permanent stage and grass seating for approximately 400 people which creates a unique outdoor venue for live performance arts, concerts, plays, ceremonies, and other events. The expansion of the adjacent festival space to accommodate the amphitheater with improved access via trails and pathways will provide a location for community members to gather and promote events for the public.
New accessible restrooms, playground equipment improvements, and a summer water feature/winter ice skating rink will be constructed promoting all-season park use and further encouraging outdoor participation.
“Johnson Park has a long history in Norfolk. Established by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s, it was once a beautiful, regional attraction whose landscape tied in directly to the North Fork riverfront. Our plans for improvements hearken back to that history, reconnecting the park to the waterfront and creating green space that is welcoming and attractive. This very generous grant award from the Peter Kiewit Foundation will help turn those plans into reality,” said Mayor Josh Moenning.
“Johnson Park is an important community asset that contributes to the quality of life for area residents and serves as a catalyst for further development in the region. The Peter Kiewit Foundation is proud to support the restoration of Johnson Park and its connection to other strategic initiatives within Norfolk aimed at revitalizing the downtown and building a community that is conducive to recruiting and retaining workforce. We have been impressed with the level of collaboration among various leaders and organizations to help this vison become a reality,” said Wendy Boyer, Executive Director of the Peter Kiewit Foundation.
The Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District and the Northeast Nebraska Growing Together initiative assisted City staff with the application preparation.