Beltline Trail Recognized by Omaha by Design
The Beltline Trail, designed in partnership with RDG, was recognized for its support of environmental well-being, social vitality and sustainable growth.
North Omaha’s Beltline Trail was honored with an Omaha by Design Laurels Award during a gala event on October 30, 2025. The project received the Access & Mobility Award, which celebrates individuals, organizations or projects that have made meaningful improvements to how people move through and connect across the city. For nearly two decades, the Laurels Awards have served as Omaha by Design’s highest honor, recognizing significant contributions to exceptional public spaces in the city of Omaha, Nebraska.
The Beltline Trail, developed in partnership with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, RDG Planning & Design and Ehrhard Griffin & Associates, transforms a decommissioned Missouri Pacific Railroad corridor into a safe and inspiring active transportation route through North Omaha, an area that has historically been underserved. Notably, North Omaha boasts the highest density of Black and African American-identifying citizens in the metropolitan area, and the trail provides equitable access to active transportation, while taking on a renewed importance in a community that has historically lacked investment in active transportation infrastructure.
Situated at the intersection of Hamilton Street and Military Avenue, the trailhead serves as a community hub that supports active lifestyles, learning and social connection — reflecting RDG’s design approach, grounded in CDC research on the health benefits of trail infrastructure. The Beltline Trail project demonstrates how planning, engagement and collaboration can transform disinvested corridors into enduring community assets.