Last fall, a walk in the park turned into a medical emergency for Papillion resident Lori Conklin. She lives near Halleck Park and often goes there to take photos. On that November morning, though, Conklin suddenly passed out on the sidewalk.
Once she regained consciousness, Conklin managed to drive to the emergency room. (She agrees with the doctor who told her she should probably have called for help.) The scary incident led to her diabetes diagnosis. Now, those walks in the park have become an investment in her health – body, mind, and soul. “With my health diagnosis, I was able to beat my diabetes with a balanced diet and walking at the park,” Conklin shared.
As a former military wife, Conklin enjoyed exploring. She has lived in places like Germany, Japan, Korea, Florida, and Napa Valley. She came to Papillion a couple of years ago to be near her grandchildren and says she found a hidden treasure in Halleck Park. She tries to get there in time to see the sunrise.
Her nature photos capture unique views of park life like a silhouette of an early-morning fisherman, a grasshopper up close and personal, or a squirrel greeting her with what looks like a wave. She posts many of the photos on social media, especially in the Facebook group named “Let’s Talk Papillion.”
Conklin says she always sees friendly people at the park, too. Some regulars walk or run around the same time every day, and they comment if she has missed a day or two. Strangers often take time for a chat, finding common ground in the sense of peace at the park.
“Halleck is my favorite place to walk for lots of reasons,” Conklin says. Besides the friendly people, Conklin appreciates the nice sidewalks and the abundance of wildlife. The park is well-maintained and always feels safe. Sometimes she brings her grandson along, and they love to find the geese and ducks on the lake.
Conklin enjoys taking her grandchildren to other places of interest, too, but she always comes back to the park as her favorite spot. People often ask how she takes such interesting pictures, like the one of the moon caught inside a streetlamp. She says the secret is simply to pay attention. That is how she discovers things other people might miss.
In today’s economy, Conklin says a visit to Halleck Park can be like a free mini vacation for families. Located near downtown Papillion, the park offers plenty of room to stroll, play, and explore. If visitors look closely, they might even see geese dancing or a squirrel waving. If you don’t believe that happens at the park, just watch for Conklin’s pictures online. She has photographic proof for both of those.