Neighbors skeptical as construction on Omahas Mandan Park begins [Video]

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Since 2018, Jacky Paulson and others with the Mandan Park Neighborhood Association have lend a helping hand to keep Mandan Park clean.

They’ve cleared garbage and other items like tires.

“We got 98 percent of the trash out,” Paulson said.

Paulson is considered the watchdog for the park.

“We can report the issues that are really bad about the park like the illicit activity and poaching,” Paulson said.

Neighbors have done a pretty good job at keeping the park well kept. As construction for a new nature center moves along, they hope the city’s plans do more good than harm.

Omaha Parks and Recreation Director Matt Kalcevich told 6 News that’s the goal.

“It’s an opportunity for us to run programming in relation to nature interaction and education,” Kalcevich said. “We also work with schools looking to expand environmental education and it will serve as a hub for our camp program.”

Kalcevich said steady progress is currently being made on the new center.

“I would call this the …