Waverly Park

“The wide variety of historic homes is a big reason people like living in Waverly Park,” says Will Hagel, Realtor with BHHS Ambassador Real Estate. “Buyers love the architecture, the proximity to downtown and the small neighborhood vibe that comes with living in a historic corridor. But what sets Waverly Park apart from other neighborhoods is that it has a particularly wide variety of turn-of-the-20th century home styles.”

While Waverly Park is indeed a tiny neighborhood – it’s just about one square mile – it packs a punch with the various home styles here. You’ll have fun discovering the unique homes built from 1900 to about 1940 including cottages, bungalows, American Foursquare, Craftsman-style, ranch-style and even some large, brick Colonial-Revivals. You can find well-updated, four-bedroom brick cottages from the 1920s for around $210,000. Occasionally, you can find one-and-a-half or two-story Craftsman-style homes for sale. Recent purchases have ranged from $250,000 to $270,000. Homebuyers will be delighted to find that many homes on the market have been well-updated if not fully renovated.

Holy Name School is a 105-year-old Catholic school serving pre-K through eighth grade and is located on Fontenelle Boulevard. While it is the only school within the exact boundaries of Waverly Park, there are highly regarded Omaha public schools close by. Built in 1973, King Elementary was named after Dr. Martin Luther King thus making it the first Omaha Public School to be named after a distinguished African American leader. It offers pre-K through fifth grade. Monroe Middle offers a Gifted & Talented program as well as a variety of clubs including Book Blasters, African American History Challenge and Robotics. Benson Magnet High offers AP and honors classes and a Career Academies concentration in one of the following three content areas: Design & Construction, Business & Entrepreneurship, and Health Professions. Academies provide exposure to content-specific curricula and real-world applications, as well as partnerships with local businesses.

Lake James Park is less than a mile west and includes a baseball diamond, a basketball court, a playground and over two acres of open green space. Fontenelle Park is a well-appointed 107-acre park one mile north. It features a natural lagoon that permits catch-and-release fishing and well-designed walking trails surrounding the rest of the park. A “sprayground” is a favorite summer spot for children on hot days. The park also features a large pavilion that houses the Joe Edmondson YMCA, a nine-hole golf course, basketball, tennis courts and two football fields.

Urban living offers a wide variety of shopping venues and some of the best are right in the neighborhood. Humble Jumble Thrift Store is a fun shopping venue as well as a community resource of Holy Name Parish. You’ll find everything from clothing and kitchen items to toys and furniture. Urban Casual sells shirts, shoes, hats, sweatshirts and more, and is a popular destination for area students.

Hartland Bar-B-Que’s tagline is “Where You Can Taste The Smoke.” If that doesn’t tell you what makes them a hot spot, then nothing else will. Order their brisket or pork dinner for takeout along with some of their homemade sides. Less than five minutes away on North 30th Street, you’ll find Cajun Kitchen in a tiny corner storefront. Don’t let their size fool you. They have plenty on the menu including smoked ribs to go, homemade cheesecakes and jambalaya. Fresh flowers, seasonal décor and groceries are nearby at Walmart Neighborhood Market on N. Saddle Creek Road. Hamilton Food Mart is convenient and close by when you need something in a hurry.

There’s a lot to love about Waverly Park, but when you find that one historic gem that meets your needs, it charms may be welcoming you home before you know it.

Written By

Sarah Albiston

Photography Contributed By

Seth Johanson

Video By

Crixell Matthews