Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park
4.5(1.1K)google
4.6(13)yelp
RiverOutdoorFreeFamilySunset
Overview
Tom P. Hanafan is the former mayor of Council Bluffs, Iowa and is a past president of the Iowa League of Cities.
Practical Info
Mon5:00 AM –10:00 PM
Tue5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wed5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thu5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fri5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimeSummer and autumn evenings from May to October offer the premier window. Head out to the expansive riverfront lawns between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM. You can stroll bare foot across the green or walk onto the iconic Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge; standing directly on the state line separating Iowa and Nebraska lets you photograph a dramatic Missouri River sunset reflecting against the Omaha skyline.
Getting TherePerched on the western riverfront of Council Bluffs at 4200 River's Edge Pkwy, directly across from downtown Omaha. By car, exit I-29 at Exit 52 (IA-192 S/9th Avenue), follow Playland Dr straight west to its terminus at the river. The park maintains a massive, well-lit, and fully complimentary asphalt parking lot right at the park's modern welcome arch.
Travel Tips
- As the prime open-air venue for regional festivals, parking freezes during major event days; utilize the massive multi-level overflow parking structures directly across the river via the connecting bypass.
- The expansive unshaded Great Lawn offers zero thermal protection; preparing high-SPF topical sunscreens, wide-brimmed hats, and a minimum of two liters of water per person is vital for physical safety.
- Situated within an active Missouri River floodway, lower-tier boardwalks and shore access trails face total seasonal closures during spring snowmelt swells; check live inundation reports on the city portal.
Reviews
Positive
- The connection to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge offers fantastic views, making standing across two states a fun photo op.
- This massive riverside lawn is the ultimate spot to watch the Omaha skyline sunset, providing a wide-open and stunning view.
- The park is clean and modern with excellent nighttime lighting and frequent security patrols, making it feel very safe.
- Entirely free with an enormous complimentary parking lot, and ADA-compliant paths extend right up to the bridge ramps.
Heads up
- During seasonal high water or spring floods, the lower riverside paths frequently submerge and close for long periods.
- The park has almost no mature shade trees, turned into a giant oven in summer with a complete lack of shelters from sun or rain.
- Except for occasional food trucks, there are no permanent indoor cafes or kiosks, requiring a long walk for a bottle of water.
- When major cross-river marathons or concerts occur, the venue gets intensely congested, causing total gridlock in the parking lot.