uy mick oyer
Senior Reporter
Parks are an expression of
mankinds’ innate desire to feel as
though he exerts some control over
things beyond himself. They are a
manifestation of the unconscious
urge to conquer and dominate
things in the external world, in this
case nature.
paced, modem, urban world we
live in, parks are also a necessity.
They remind us that there is a
whole world of trees and grass and
flowers and squirrels and bunnies
and birds and fish and insects that
doesn’t care about such trivial mat
ters as mankind and its technology.
'rhat’s an important thing for us city
dwellers to keep in mind. They help
us keep things in perspective.
Parks also serve an important
purpose, psychologically speak
ing. In this day and age, emotional
well-being is a rare and sought after
commodity. Parks tend to be a
stress neutral environment. A place
where you can escape from the
pressures of daily living and give
your sanity a chance to rest and
heal. They give you the chance to
just be yourself for a while. Then
you can re-enter whatever part of
this neurotic society we occupy
with confidence and kick some...
Lincoln has a variety of fine parks
where you can momentarily elude
the tension producing elements in
your life.
r
Hazel Abel Park, located at 18th
and E Streets, is a quaint neighbor
hood park reminiscent of a by-gone
era. The park is surrounded oy a
wrought-iron fence and high well
fgroomed shrubs. Within is a small
ountain, a gazebo and the best
swing-set in town. Most notable,
the park has a peaceful atmos
phere. Nothing hurries around
here. Even the rabbits linger over
the clover. Almost everyone I know
is amazed and excited when they
"discover” the park.
Pioneers Park, located on South
Coddington and West Calvert
streets, is a large park with open
spaces, taking its name from the
expansiveness of the prairie settlec
by the pioneers. The park offers
--r-..
golf, picnicking, horseback riding,
a nature center, and lots of animals
to feed. It’s a great place to lose
yourself. It seems ironic to me that
the park has a statue of a buffalo
and a statue dedicated to the Indi
ans — two important parts of the
prairie that were destroyed by the
pioneers.
Wilderness Park, located a 1st
and Van Dorn streets, tally is a
wilderness. The park features 17
miles of hiker/horse trails through
forests and meadows along Salt
Creek. Great place to spend a Sun
day afternoon, especially during
autumn when the leaves are chang
ing color and falling and birds are
migrating south for the winter.
Sunken Gardens/Teachers’
— 1 m in i—t
Memorial Fountain, located at 27th
and Capital Parkway, features a
contrast between traditional and
modern fountains and gardens.
The sunken gardens is a romantic
place where young lovers often
spend time. There is a wedding
there practically every weekend
from April to September. At any
rate, it’s a beautiful place. The
Teachers’ Memorial Fountain
across the street features water cas
cading off of tall odd-shaped stone
boxes stacked up on each other.
Intriguing. It also has a huge shal
low pool. Signs say to stay out, but
people wade in it anyway...
Lincoln has many other out
standing parks. They’re all great ad
ventures . . . and diversions.
-TTTZ
Feeding pond at Pioneers Park