More than 5,000 visit Stations of Cross at Cloisters on the Platte

Just three months after its opening day in late July, outdoor Stations of the Cross at Cloisters on the Platte retreat center near Gretna has attracted more than 5,000 people.

“The fact that 5,000 visitors have stopped and enjoyed this spiritual oasis in such a short amount of time speaks volumes to its appeal,” said Keith Backson, executive director of Visit Omaha. 

The Stations were commissioned and the retreat center built by TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, a native of Nebraska City, Neb. The center offers retreats based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. 

Cloisters on the Platte also opened in late July for scheduled, weekend retreats. 

The Stations are open to the public Monday through Wednesday and Thursday mornings, with parking across a road from the Cloisters’ main gate. With donations of $10 or more, visitors receive an audio tour.

 To visit the Stations and the retreat center from Omaha, take Interstate 80 west to exit 432. Drive south five miles on Highway 31 to Fishery Road, turn right on Fishery Road and go a quarter mile – then park.