Hilltop Park
This
80-acre city park, which overlooks Blair and the Missouri River
valley, is the highest point in Blair. It is a part of the Blair
Community Arboretum and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
In addition to the large mosaic on
the Tower of the Four Winds, the four smaller pedestal mosaics,
the paved hoop trail, the Interpretive Garden, and Overview Plaza,
the park features a variety of trees, prairie grasses, and
occasional wildlife. To quote an early description of the park,
“It is a quiet place of nature’s beauty, to be enjoyed by all.”

Recreational opportunities include
a nine-hole disc golf course, a nature trail in addition to the
paved hoop trail, and a unique picnic shelter in the shape of a
hoop. There are also freestanding bench swings along the hoop
trail. At the north edge of the park there is a playground with a
nearby grill and picnic table.
New sidewalks
The eight-foot-wide, handicapped-accessible sidewalk around the Tower of the Four
Winds was laid in 2008 and 2009.
Picnic Pavilion
The
hoop-shaped picnic pavilion, which was completed in 1977, has an
open fire pit, a grill, seating capacity of approximately 100 at
picnic tables, water, electric outlets, and handicapped-accessible
restrooms. Use of the shelter is on a first come-first served
basis.
Jerry Kline of the Omaha
architectural firm of Dana, Larson, Roubal & Associates worked
with Prof. Thomsen in designing the shelter. It was built by the
Larsen & Jipp Construction Co. of Blair.
In 1978 the pavilion was named by
the Nebraska Society of Architects as “a distinguished
accomplishment in architecture,” one of seven in the state to
receive that designation that year.
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