They paved paradise, put up a parking lot,” Joni Mitchell sings, wistfully but regretfully, in her 1970 hit “Big Yellow Taxi.”
Fifty-six years later, Polina Gardens wants to move things in the other direction.
Located in the heart of Omaha’s Old Market, Polina Gardens opened on June 3, bringing a fresh vibrancy to the space that was once home to a lifeless parking lot.
The new garden is the first satellite location from Lauritzen Gardens. New York City-based design firm Field Operations brought in internationally acclaimed landscape designer Piet Oudolf to plant 120 trees and shrubs alongside 22,000 perennials across four distinct areas that make up Polina Gardens.
Let’s take a look at what you can expect in each one.
Whimsical Garden
This garden is not just for perusing. Built for children “and the young at heart,” a wooden sculpture at the center of this area provides a trellis for vines but also invites visitors to climb, balance, and get a bird’s-eye view of the space.
Rain Garden
There’s a silver lining to every rain cloud, which takes on special meaning as Omaha has battled with on-and-off moderate drought conditions throughout the summer. The Rain Garden captures rainwater from passing storms and filters it to support a mix of perennials and grasses that thrive in both wet and dry conditions. The thoughtful design helps improve water quality, reduce flooding, and provide a habitat for pollinators, according to the website.
Garden Patio
The Garden Patio is a spot for rest and reflection, but you’re also welcome to sit down for a meal or even host a meeting at this communal table, all while surrounded by an ever-evolving landscape comprising seasonal blooms and foliage.
Garden Green
With room to run, the central lawn was designed for gathering, play, and performance. And there are all sorts of ways to gather, from setting up shop on the grass to the convenient patio tables, with a tiered platform to act as a stage for community performances or events.
Polina Gardens is located at 727 S. 13th St. in Omaha. Be sure to visit the website for more info, including more about two pieces of beautiful public art you’ll run into there: Sophie Ryder’s 20-foot-tall sculpture “The Kiss” and Lee Emma Running’s large-scale mural, “Switchgrass.”
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