Oak Lake Park

Oak Lake Park has been a staple in Lincoln since the mid 20th century. However, it hasn’t always had the same pristine look it does today.

In 1922, Henry and May Bannister gifted their parcel of land to the City of Lincoln. This parcel, along with a large piece of land owned by the State of Nebraska, were to be used “for general park use”. This became Oak Lake, then called Oak Creek Lake. Oak Creek Lake offered boating and fishing opportunities for Lincoln. The lake, only around 4 feet deep, was well-stocked with close to 70,000 fish. By the early 1940s, Oak Creek Lake Park became a “mecca” for recreation in northwest Lincoln. Planting a variety of trees became a priority for the department, in an area that was still dominated by stark prairie land.

A community park including playgrounds, open green space for special events located near Sun Valley Boulevard and I-180.