The city of Lincoln has approved plans for the site of the old Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

The hospital last year moved from to the west side of Lincoln of Route 66 from their central location several blocks from downtown. The building was torn down and what was left is about three acres of green grass. Lincoln Mayor Keith Snyder says the city has approved plans to turn it into an outdoor health and wellness facility.

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Mayor Snyder explains the outdoor health and wellness park will specifically target anyone that would like to focus on being fit and active. He feels the having this type of park on the former hospital grounds would be very fitting.

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Not only did Lincoln receive the property as a gift from the hospital, but they also received a grant from a local foundation to look into designs for the area to be developed. Mayor Snyder says without the grant, the city may not have had the money to develop the area, and so they are grateful to have the opportunity to make something out of the land.

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Plans for the park includes a fitness loop and a walking path, outdoor fitness equipment for aerobic work, a large mound for kids to climb, and also an area with water fountains for kids to play.

The city has put together a planning committee for the site and will soon put together a funding committee to get the project moving forward. The city was presented with a color drawing of site from an engineering firm earlier this month.