Johnson Park Master Plan

Norfolk, NE

The Elkhorn River’s scenic North Branch flows through Norfolk’s Johnson Park, the location of the community’s original mill and later hydro-electric plant. Community leaders identified the replacement of an aging bridge as the opportunity to transform the park.

Replacing the bridge that once was part of the mill pond dam will allow creation of a white-water play park with a series of one-to-two-foot rapids. New trails, sunning areas, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a spray pad and amphitheater will turn this neighborhood park into a regional destination and enhance Norfolk’s ability to attract and retain younger residents.

To create the white-water play park, the dam’s current 12-foot vertical drop will be spread up and downstream of the current dam creating a series of one-to-two-foot white-water drops. Control of the river’s flow will allow the City to vary the volume in the river from a gentle flow for family use to an aggressive flow for whitewater kayaking competitions.

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Big Muddy Workshop, along with an engineering firm, worked with the Riverfront Committee and City of Norfolk to develop a vision for the new Johnson Park and worked with a white-water design consultant to merge the park and river designs.

Big Muddy developed a park master, provided public engagement services with both community leaders and citizens, and developed 30% design drawings for the park and river projects, as well as cost opinions for each project. The plans and cost opinions were instrumental in obtaining grants and donations for the project.

The team will complete construction drawings for the white-water and park once regulatory permits for in-stream improvements are granted. It is anticipated that the project will be complete in 2022.