BEATRICE, Neb - A revitalization project of a Beatrice landmark is nearing completion.

After three weeks of work the Chautauqua Park waterfall restoration is beginning to flow like it did, over 90 years ago. Royce Koehler and his crew at Sticks and Stones Hard Scapes led the work.

“They contacted me last year about bringing this historic waterfall back to life,” Koehler said. “We’ve got quite a bit of experience with waterfalls and it’s been such a special project seeing this waterfall come back to life.”

The original waterfall was constructed in the 1930’s and the goal of the project was to make the waterfall efficient, while maintaining its original look. Additionally, Koehler says the waterfall uses recycled water, with pumps in the bottom basin.

While maintaining the waterfall’s original aura is difficult, that’s the kind of project Koehler enjoys.

“That’s why I loved this job so much... It’s more of a mental challenge for me. It’s not your average waterfall you do everyday.”

Being able to work on the waterfall project had special meaning for Koehler. Growing up in Tecumseh, about 30 miles east of Beatrice, the waterfall was a spot he visited growing up.

“I’ve got pictures that my family had taken of me when I was just a little boy in front of this,” Koehler said. “I’ve never seen it run. I’ve always seen pictures and heard about, so when the opportunity came to do the finishing touches and get it back to life, I was honored to have the chance at it and have us put our touches on it and get it back going.”

As of Tuesday night, the waterfall is lit and it will be open to the public Wednesday.  The next phase of the project is landscaping, with work to be done by Envision Landscapes.