OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – As you drive downtown, you may see a centerpiece of the Old Market Cultural Center sprouting up.
Polina Gardens is the first satellite location of Lauritzen Gardens.
Dutch landscape architect Piet Oudolf has worked on landscaping projects around the world. He brings his expertise to the project after working on another area in the metro.
“The entire planting design is my hand,” said Oudolf.
The 1.2-acre site at the corner of 13th Street and Jones will add more than 80 trees to the area. It's on the same block as the Bemis Center For Contemporary Arts and close to KANEKO.
The plants came from all over the country and are currently being shipped to Omaha. Furthest from Maine.
“The special thing about this is that not all the plants we normally use are known to people,” Oudolf said. “Putting something like this together makes people aware of the few trees they probably know about, and planting becomes more dynamic.”
Oudolf has worked on large landscaping projects such as the High Line in New York City and the Lurie Garden in Millennium Park in Chicago.
“This has been my passion for 50 years,” said Oudolf. “It comes from a passion for plants. It's not just a job.”
Austin Eischeid is responsible for the equipment procurement and layout of the project. He works regularly with Oudolf and said Polina Gardens has been almost five years in the making.
“The emotional aspect is the most important part of Piet’s work,” said Eischeid. “What it does to people’s souls.”
The total cost of the project is $10.6 million. It was funded by private donations and named after Polina Schlott and her husband Bob Schlott.
Visits are free and the opening is planned for spring 2026.
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