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Updated: 9:37 AM Jul 7, 2009
Should Holmes or Oak Lake Host Lincoln's Fireworks?
Lincoln Some city officials say Lincoln's fireworks work best at Oak Lake, while other are open to the possibility they could work at Holmes Lake again someday.
Posted: 10:47 PM Jul 6, 2009Reporter: Jason Volentine Email Address: jason.volentine@kolnkgin.com |
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Since Lincoln's 4th of July fireworks display moved to Oak Lake Park seven years ago, there has been an ongoing debate about whether it should ever return to Holmes Lake.
In a 10/11 viewer poll Monday night, 69 percent of people said they want fireworks returned to Holmes. Meanwhile, 31 percent think the celebration should stay at Oak Lake Park.
Officials with Lincoln Parks and Recreation said for now, the logistics of the celebration make Oak Lake Park a better, easier place to host the fireworks show.
A crowd of 30,000 plus watched the booms and blasts of Lincoln's July 5th Fireworks show. That's an Oak Lake record according to Jerry Shorney with city Parks and Rec.
"We parked cars where we haven't parked cars before," said Shorney, director of operations for Parks and Rec.
That's a trend he says has been growing ever since fireworks moved to Oak Lake. It's also a trend he says Holmes couldn't support.
"As the crowds grew, it became harder and harder to move people around," said Shorney. "What we find out here [Oak Lake] is we have two or three arterials moving people... logistically we're very happy being close to Cornhusker Highway, Sun Valley Blvd. and I-180."
That's no comfort to south-east Lincoln residents who miss the good old days at Holmes.
"I just prefer it on this side of town," said SE Lincoln resident Betty J. Dankleff. "To be fair, they could alternate it from north to south every other year."
But there's mixed reaction to that from city leaders.
"The city has a great fireworks celebration and everybody gets to enjoy the 4th of July. So I'd like to let it play out a little bit more to see how it turns out," said Lincoln City Councilman Adam Hornung.
"I'd like to let us take a look at maybe rotating it and bringing it back to Holmes at some date," said Lincoln City Councilwoman Jayne Snyder.
"I'd have to look at the cost to the city, if there is a cost difference," said Lincoln City Councilman Gene Carroll.
Shorney also said Holmes Lake has another disadvantage. The Holmes area has become increasingly developed, leading to tighter safety regulations for fireworks. At Oak Lake, the looser restrictions mean a bigger bang and according to Shorney a better show.
"We had to be careful of the wind direction [at Holmes]. Out here we don't have too many neighbors to worry about," said Shorney. "We get a diverse group of folks who come out and enjoy this.
Shorney said at Oak Lake the city can fire off 10-inch firework shells. At Holmes Lake he said they would be limited to 8 inch shells at the largest, with the majority being 6 inches.
Shorney also said the city can use Haymarket Park and downtown parking garages as extra places for people to park and watch fireworks. That's not the case at Holmes.
Latest Comments
Hello? Let's not pollute the air and water anymore. Why not have a Laser light show at one of many empty auditoriums Lincoln has, and make tax money doing it?
I vote for Holmes Lake. More people can see the fireworks without leaving their homes and having to travel. We always had people over to watch from our home. The last few years at Holmes we walked down the bike path a small distance for a better view but still didn't have to drive. You probably have 30,000 people in the Holmes area that don't even have to travel to see the display. Add that to the people that go to the park and many more saw the display when it was at Holmes.
Keep it at Oak Lake, it is so much easier. How does anyone expect 30,000 people to fit in the areas around Holmes lake? I don't want all those people on my lawn! No main streets, disgusting porta potties--no thanks! Yes at Oak Lake the restrooms may not be to hotel standards-but at least it is a flushing toilet and sink with water. Have you tried to help a 2 year old pee in a porta potty? They are scared and grossed out-and not enough room for both of you in there! Anyway, it is amazing how the saltdogs fireworks are more entertaining than the 4th of July's were anyway. Still, Oak Lake should get them for convenience, parking, access, and it is just a smart move.
Stay stay stay at Oak Lake. Bad experince jammed traffic after fireworks at Holmes.
I say forget the fireworks. You whiners don't deserve them!!!!
Holmes Lake will not be any cleaner as far as restrooms go. Do you all remember all of the port a pots all over the park?
I know, lets split the display, have the fireworks at each lake on the 4th & that would solve the problem.Its a simple enough idea,then everyone is happy.
I think that it should be moved back to Holmes lake. Oak lake needs to be a cleaner place to hold an event like that. It took me over half and hour to walk my daughter to the restroom and back and there was only a few facilities to use (that were also very dirty).
Leave It, I always spent a hour trying to get out of Holmes Lake, traffic was terrible there
Lynn, what do you mean by "safe" neighborhood, I have lived at 1st and Cornhusker for many years, my mother has lived on the "safe" side of town there have been just as many (if not more) crimes or murders there than up here.
I thought that was what the agreement was, while Holmes Lake went under it's maintenance, it was being held at Oak Lake. Now that the renovations are done and over with, it needs to be moved back to Holmes Lake.
I have been to both and I strongly feel that if there was a chioce between the two I think it would be a toss up and I strongly suggest that we have it at both lakes and slowly bring it back to Holmes lake where it has been a tradition for so long . As a tax payer and do enjoy the displays here in Lincoln, I think it would benefit Lincoln to split the shows between the areas and give a good time for everyone to enjoy but there are those that will think differently and say thzt it should be at one place or another but not both. I am only making a suggestion to ponder on and lets see what it does from there......Joe
My grandma and grandpa live down the road from Holmes Lake. Some of my greatest memories growing up are the time we had the Fourth of July there. Since they have moved it, we don't hold it there any more.
Change is hard. Just about all the people who want the fireworks display back at Holmes Lake are the residents who live there. It's for their own convenience they're thinking about. When they have it at Holmes the home owners were complaining about all the traffice congestion, etc.
Question... Who pays for all this? If its the tax payer you can stop it all together, the Mayor can cut this money waste also.
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