Not such a secret anymore: Papillion, Neb.
On the southern edge of the Omaha metropolitan area and just a stone’s throw from the Iowa state line sits Papillion, Neb., named one of Money Magazine’s Best Places to live several times in the last 10 years.
What makes Papillion so great? Perhaps it’s the solid, Midwestern feel of the city of 26,000.
“We have the conveniences associated with living near Omaha, and the comfort and safety of a small town,” noted Trenton Albers, Papillion’s communications director. In fact, the city’s logo is, “feels like home.”
It seems Papillion is a place to put down roots. Nearly 75% of the residents of Papillion own their homes, according to ratings and rankings site Niche.com. The high quality of life, small-town atmosphere and thriving local economy are major attractions.
According to the website Explore Nebraska, Papillion is “a tapestry of historical events, pioneering spirits, and a unique American identity.”
The earliest residents of the area that is now part of Sarpy County were native Americans of the Omaha, Otoe and Pawnee tribes.
When French fur traders ventured into the area in the early 1700s, they were apparently enchanted with the butterflies spotted around local creeks. They called the area “Papillon,” French for “butterfly.” Today, Papillion Creek flows through the center of the city.
Albers said that later, English and German settlers misspelled the French word, and the area became known as Papillion.
While the spelling may be different, the butterfly stuck. The city has adopted the orange and black Monarch butterfly as its symbol. Butterflies grace the local water tower, a butterfly garden and sculpture enhance a local park, and 24 park benches around the city have become collectively known as the butterfly bench tour. Even the high school athletic teams have adopted the butterfly and are called the Monarchs.
In the 1860s, Papillion saw a surge in settlement as the Union Pacific Railroad pumped life into its economy. The city was incorporated in 1870.
Albers was quick to list the many features of Papillion that give it the quaint feel that has become its hallmark.
“One of the coolest recent developments is a Vietnam veterans memorial,” he said. A group of local veterans noted that Nebraska was the only state in the U.S. that did not have a Vietnam memorial, so a collaboration between the city of Papillion and the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial was born.
“Veterans from around the country who have visited here have said it’s one of the best in the country,” Albers noted.
The memorial is in one of the city’s more than 20 parks that have more than 30 miles of paved, dirt and motor bike trails. Papillion also boasts four recreation lake areas created as reservoirs by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District and managed as city parks by Papillion.
Recreation ranks high on the list of favorite things to do in Papillion, Albers continued. The Papillion Landing Community Recreation Center and Field House is a state-of-the-art facility that boasts a natatorium, indoor playground, multi-court gymnasium, elevated track, fitness center and group fitness and dance rooms. That’s in addition to the facility’s community center that consists of event space, a catering kitchen, a youth center, a dedicated club for residents 55 years and older, an arts and crafts studio, classrooms, and a lounge space.
Papillion Landing also has a fieldhouse with soccer fields, batting cages, live pitching tunnels, a meeting room and a spectator mezzanine, as well as a 25-acre outdoor complex with soccer, baseball and softball fields.
Pickleball courts and a disc golf course are recent additions to three of the city’s parks and are free to the public.
The Papio Bay Aquatic Center, SumTur Amphitheater, Eagle Hills and Tara Hills golf courses, and Werner Park, home of the Triple-A baseball Omaha Storm Chasers and the USL Union Omaha soccer team, are among favorite Papillion attractions.
In a recent newsletter to Papillion residents, Mayor David P. Black also noted that the Papillion Arts Foundation and the city are working together to “boost arts and cultural activities in the community” by creating a Creative District designed to attract artists, events and visitors.
Albers pointed out that Papillion prides itself on its city operations units. Its 50-member police department is Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies accredited, an elite designation for law enforcement agencies. It has a public works department that takes pride in eight-hour snow removal after a major snow event. The full-time professional fire department recently made the transition from volunteer to paid and represents a collaboration with nearby LaVista and the rural fire district.
Papillion’s economy is thriving, he added. Both Facebook and Google have opened service centers, and an Amazon distribution center is among the leading employers. Nearby Offutt Air Force base has a strong community of both active duty and retired members who have chosen to make Papillion their home.
With a 35% population increase in the last 20 years, Albers said Papillion has done well keeping up with the growth. “We’re a relatively affordable city with the lowest property tax base in the Omaha metropolitan area.”
After making a number of “top best” lists from national magazines and organizations, Albers said the old saying that Papillion, Neb., was the best kept secret around no longer holds. “I guess we’re the best-kept secret that’s not a secret anymore.”
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is the annual kick-off for Papillion’s Winter Wonderland celebration, produced by the Papillion Community Foundation. The Papillion butterfly symbol is larger than life in the Butterfly Garden, part of Papillion’s Veteran’s Park. (Photos provided by city of Papillion, Neb.) 
Among the more than 30 miles of trails in the parks in and around Papillion is this horse trail, within sight of city homes and businesses. 
Papillion Days have been celebrated in June for 77 years. The four-day event includes food, entertainment and, of course, a parade through the city’s downtown. Papillion, Neb., was incorporated in 1870 and has grown incrementally with nearby Omaha, the state’s largest city.
