2010 Year in Review
Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Mission To improve the quality of life by providing recreational, leisure, and aesthetic opportunities for all citizens, and by conserving and enhancing the environment.
We will accomplish this mission by providing quality programming, making the best use of existing resources, developing a supportive and influential constituency, developing effective collaborations and partnerships, and acquiring and preserving natural features.
KC Parks Strategic Initiatives Marketing & Communications • Develop our brand and communicate the benefits and value of the parks system • Develop effective marketing partnerships with government and community 1 organizations • Engage in marketing of parks as an essential service by promoting youth services, health, and fitness Financial Sustainability • Address deferred maintenance needs with increased operating and capital 2 improvement funds • Increase number of partnerships • Ensure equal resources for the entire community Youth Development • Establish quality recreation programs and facilities 3 • Focus on our role in “building better kids” • Promote partnerships that make it possible to forge a shared vision for community youth opportunities
Green Solutions • Green Solutions should be part of the planning and development process of all Parks and Recreation projects 4 • Position Parks and Recreation as a lead agency for Green Initiatives and creating a sustainable environment
Procurement • Improve systems, procedures, opportunities and diversity • Engage in opportunities to encourage and contract with Minority and Women’s 5 Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE) • Develop plans, strategies and work procedures to increase economic achievement for MBE/WBE companies in Kansas City, Missouri
KC Parks 2010 Year in Review A Message Dear Friends of Parks and Recreation:
2010 was another in a series of challenging years for Kansas from the City Parks and Recreation. But just as we have done in the past, our department met these challenges head on. I am especially proud of the many accomplishments you will read Director about in this Year in Review.
While our department does not always have the resources necessary and many obstacles are placed before us, the dedicated employees of Parks and Recreation led by our volunteer Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, continue to deliver.
Our department is driven by five Strategic Initiatives that serve as our guide in everything we do. You will see them listed on the inside cover. In 2010, we made great progress achieving these priorities. In order to better market our programs and services, we collaborated with City Communications to develop Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter Activities Guides. The guides were inserted in the KC Star and distributed throughout the city. Through our new Make A Splash program, we continue to develop quality recreational opportunities to better serve our youth. In keeping with our Green Solutions priority, we were instrumental in the development and implementation of KC Green, a city-wide program to make KC a truly sustainable city. Our procurement goal of encouraging MBE/WBE success was met through the development of a first-of-its- kind KC Parks Mentorship program that began last summer.
It is encouraging that Kansas City residents are noticing our progress. According to third quarter results from the FY 2011 Citizens Survey, satisfaction in a number of areas including quality of outdoor athletic fields, walking and biking trails, community center programs and activities, and ease of online registration has increased substantially from FY 2010 results. I look forward to continuing this positive trend.
We did experience some transition in leadership this past year when Meghan Badwey Conger resigned from the Parks Board. Commissioner Conger was a very effective board member and we wish her all the best in her new endeavor. Daniel Morton was appointed by Mayor Funkhouser to replace Commissioner Conger and we are pleased to have him as part of our team.
In concert with the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, I applaud the hundreds of volunteers who assist us and the many Parks Partners that allow us to succeed. Together, we achieve our vision of healthier citizens, a desirable community, sustainable environment and a prosperous future.
Mark L. McHenry, Director
KC Parks 2010 Year in Review Black Veterans Memorial
Military Memorials Recognized by Congress as our country’s only World War I monument, the Liberty Memorial has the largest and most Parks and Recreation maintains a number of monuments comprehensive collection of WWI artifacts, relics and dedicated to the men and women who have served our archival materials in the world. In 2010, Gould Evans country. Architects was hired to determine the needs at Liberty Memorial in order to preserve the memorial for The newest memorial, honoring African-American military generations to come. Recommendations were made veterans, was dedicated on September 12. The Black and work on the national monument in the areas of Veterans Memorial was made possible through a security, irrigation, building energy upgrades, drainage, partnership with a group of local businessmen known as exterior building and stonework will begin in 2011. The Enshriners. It is located in the median of The Paseo from The Terrace at 12th The Vietnam Veterans Street to 11th Street. At the north end of Memorial Fountain, located at Broadway Boulevard and 42nd the site a polished granite monument Street, was designed to honor commemorates the service of black the 385 Kansas City area veterans throughout United States veterans who gave their lives or history. On the south end, a large U.S. have been declared Missing-In- flag flies atop a 50' pole set in a granite Action. It was dedicated in base. A wide sidewalk down the center 1986. The fountain symbolizes of the block links the monument to the the mending of the nation’s flagpole and is lined with benches and division that the war caused and the flowing water ornamental lights. In the center of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial walk is a 4' wide panel featuring symbolizes the cleansing and dedicatory granite bricks etched with the names of healing that continues to take place. In 2010, the Vietnam veterans and/or military units. Commemorative bricks can Veterans of America Chapter 317 secured $126,000 to use for repairs to the Memorial. be purchased to assist with the maintenance of the Plaza as well as offering veterans, friends and family the On November 11, observance ceremonies were held at opportunity to honor the soldiers who fought valiantly for all three memorials to honor the significance of Veterans’ our nation. Day. KC Parks 2 2010 Year in Review KC Parks 3 2010 Year in Review Penguins and Polar Bears replaced and new equipment purchased and installed by the North Region including one spinner, a Whirly Gig, The month of August brought updates and upgrades to a two motorcycle spring toys, one Regal Play System, a tire popular Northland park and a new resident to the Kansas swing, 4-way buck-a-bout with penguins and one baby City Zoo. swing. New rubberized surfacing was also installed.
Penguin Park, located at Vivion Road and North Norton Also in 2010, Nikita, a 700+ pound male polar bear, made Avenue, began as part of Lakewood Greenway which his public debut in Kansas City. Nikita was born on was acquired by the Parks Department in 1957. In 1964, November 21, 2006 at the Toledo Zoo and named after a Vernon Jones, who was the district supervisor for the Russian Polar Bear researcher. He now happily Kansas City North resides in the Zoo’s newest exhibit—Polar Bear parks district, decided Penguin Park Passage. to build a big penguin. The penguin The nearly 10,000 square foot customized exhibit was placed on the space includes a 140,000 gallon, 65 degree pool northern area of complete with diving ledges and a waterfall; a Lakewood Greenway 105-ton sand box for digging; recreated glaciers and was a huge hit. and grassy areas. Jones created additional animals for For guests, the awesome Arctic adventure has a the site such as a climate-controlled tiered seating viewing building giraffe, elephant and kangaroo. While unofficially known with electronic graphics, an outdoor picnic area and a as “Penguin Park” for years, the corner of Lakewood 14-foot tall polar bear statue that makes for perfect photo Greenway was officially renamed Penguin Park in opportunities. December 1998.
The $11 million world-class project is thanks to the Kansas In 2010, Penguin Park was the site of a dedication City, Missouri voters who passed a bond package in 2004 celebrating $360,000 worth of improvements as well as with the promise of bringing the large white bears back the installation of informative panels depicting the history to the Zoo. Penguins are planned for the Zoo’s next of the park, its creator, and recognition of contributors. addition in 2011. In addition to the three panels, play equipment was
Polar Bear Passage Make A Splash Program
Splashing Success given to a dozen Willow Woods Child Development Center preschoolers. A new swim program, an amazing artistic event in Brush Creek, and an expanded swim party for dogs made a All of the children eagerly participated in lessons and splash for KC Parks in 2010. began the life long, positive activity of recreational swimming. Additionally, tied into every swim lesson was Make A Splash, a program to teach urban and instruction on how to be safe in and around the water. underserved young people how to swim, kicked off in July. In anticipation of breaking the cycle and creating Classes continued during the fall at community centers generations of parents-to-be who will know how to swim, with indoor pools: Gregg Klice, Tony Aguirre and 15 new Water Safety Instructors (WSI) were trained in May Southeast. Through Make A Splash, KC Parks was able to and June. A grant from the Black Community Fund offer reduced rate swimming lessons for the largely allowed for materials for the new group of WSIs and for Hispanic Westside, the majority of whom had also never lessons to be offered to 103 youth at Swope Park and been formally instructed in how to swim. Gillham Park pools. Theis Park and Brush Creek were home to colossal puppets in a celebration by StoneLion Summer camp participants at Don Bosco Dippin’ Dogs Puppet Theatre in May. The giant puppet Youth Development Center took pageant, Mother’s Day for Mother Earth: Pirates advantage of Make A Splash as 95 of Pollution, featured puppets ranging in size participants received free group lessons. from 12' to 85' and included huge puppets The vast majority of the kids, ranging in age floating down the creek. Thousands turned out from 5 years to 14 years, had never to experience this unique first time event. received formal training. Working in small groups of six to ten based on age and The Springs Aquatics Center was saturated with ability, participants learned to put their face dogs when Dippin’ Dogs took place in in the water, how to breathe out, float and glide on their September. The annual event was moved to a Saturday back and stomach. Many progressed to rudimentary in 2010 resulting in record attendance and furry wet fun stroke development of the breast stroke, elementary for everyone. Proceeds from the swim party, sponsored back stroke and free style. Every single child advanced in by 810 Sports Radio, support KC Parks and the Northland knowledge of safe swimming. Group lessons were also Animal Welfare Society (NAWS). KC Parks 4 2010 Year in Review KC Parks 5 2010 Year in Review Mentor/Mentees Recreation staff to networking events in order to further the opportunities for creating business relationships. The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners recognizes the importance and long-term benefits of Staff also facilitated training sessions for the participants to using Minority Business Enterprises and Women Business address issues which may be specific to public contracts Enterprises (MWBEs) in the maintenance and continued and have provided tours of Parks and Recreation evolution of our system. As such, a unique program facilities, designed to educate, develop, and economically empower MWBEs was introduced in 2010. Anticipated benefits for mentorship participants include developing a better understanding of City contracting Eleven companies/individuals signed up to participate in requirements, exposure and access to City resources and the inaugural KC Parks Mentorship Program that was expertise, and opportunities to enhance business strength introduced in July. and skills.
The mentorship initiative is designed to afford interested minority- and women-owned businesses exposure to Human Powered Progress increased opportunities by creating working relationships with senior Parks and Recreation employees and other In 2010, Kansas City made great strides in becoming more business persons in the area. bike/pedestrian friendly with several major trail openings, expansions and new events. Each participant is assigned to one Parks and Recreation staff person who serves as their mentor for one year. Staff Ribbon cutting ceremonies in the fall marked the opening meets with participants on a regular basis to facilitate of bicycle and pedestrian lanes crossing the Missouri River opportunities and create productive business on two bridges—the Heart of America and the Chouteau. relationships.
The $2.88 million Heart of America Bridge project includes Activities of the program have included lunch time “meet a 10-foot wide, barrier-protected, multi-use path for and greets” for the participants to meet with majority bicycles and pedestrians connecting Downtown Kansas businesses that have a historic working relationship with City with North Kansas City via Route 9. the City. In addition, participants accompany Parks and
Mother’s Day for Mother Earth City of Fountains Bicycle Tour
The Chouteau Bridge project includes eight-foot wide, participated in one of three races—half marathon, 10K traffic separated, shared path lanes on both sides of the and 5K—as part of the inaugural Rock the Parkway event. bridge and sidewalks connecting through the interchange with 210 which runs just north of the bridge. A new partnership with the Kansas City Bicycle Club (KCBC) and Trails KC resulted in the City of Fountains The first phase of Line Creek Trail in the Northland was Bicycle Tour held on Father’s Day. Close to 300 opened in April. The one-mile participated in the family-friendly segment, complete from NW Platte ride that traveled past many of Brooke Drive to NW 68th Street, is part Kansas City’s historic fountains and of a regional trail system that will other landmarks such as the Kansas eventually connect Riverside, City Museum, the Plaza, Liberty Parkville, and Smithville. Also in the Memorial, and Cliff Drive. Proceeds Northland, a ground breaking for Briarcliff Trail from the annual ride benefit the upgrades to the existing nature trail KCBC, Friends of the Fountains and within Briarcliff Greenway was held in Friends of the Trails. June. The improvements, completed in the fall, provide a connection from the neighborhood to Briarcliff Promising Partnerships Elementary School. Developing public/private partnerships is a trend that is sweeping the nation as organizations join together to Further south, a 3.1 mile nature trail in Jerry Smith Park was help leverage the resources of their local parks dedicated as part of a National Trails Day celebration in department. early June. And in Swope Park, the Earth Riders Trail
Association (ERTA) trails doubled in size with help from Despite the more than 600 athletes competing in the ERTA volunteers and the Urban Rangers Corps. There are Northeast Soccer League, the fields at their home base in now seven miles of single-track mountain biking trails Belvidere Park didn’t even have field lines, level playing located at Camp Lake of the Woods. fields, or bleachers. That all changed in June when Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) staff members and A new run showcasing Kansas City’s famed Ward FBI National Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association Parkway took place in late March. More than 4,000 KC Parks 6 2010 Year in Review KC Parks 7 2010 Year in Review conference attendees chose the park for their annual Additional honeysuckle brigades were led by community In-Service training project. More than 225 volunteers volunteers in Penn Valley Park, Gillham Park, Swope Park helped line the fields, clear brush, install barbecue grills and along Cliff Drive. and bleachers, and plant trees. In October, KC Parks teamed up with the Water Services The day concluded with a dedication featuring local department and JE Dunn Construction to install a butterfly dignitaries as they celebrated a new beginning for the garden on the southeast corner of Ilus Davis Park, 11th area. A soccer clinic/scrimmage hosted by the Kansas and Locust Streets. The garden includes more than 700 City Wizards for players from the Northeast Soccer League native plants— including liatris, coreopsis, blue false followed. In 2011, the FBI plans to complete Phase II of indigo, blue lobelia, rudbeckia and soft rush—a butterfly the Belvidere Park project with the house, butterfly sunbathing area and a park bench. As the sponsor of installation of sprinklers, artificial Ilus Davis Park Butterfly Garden turf, drinking fountains and the garden, the employees of JE bleacher pads. Dunn are thrilled to contribute to the beautification of downtown while Roanoke Park, Valentine to 34th & maintaining a commitment to Karnes Boulevard, is part of sustainability and environmental George Kessler’s original Parks and awareness. The garden is one of the Boulevards system plan. inaugural KC Green projects. Throughout the year, more than Local pet food manufacturers, 100 Roanoke area residents Nutro/Greenies Company, hosted a Room to Run Dog worked with staff on a massive cleanup and planning Park Appreciation Project at Penn Valley Off-Leash Dog initiative to “honor the history and plant the future” of the Park in June. Company volunteers, along with community park. Participants walked and talked to neighborhood and Dogpark Improvement Group (DIG) members, groups, worked in the park, donated funds to hire workers, installed a doggie drinking fountain, planted shrubs and fed the troops and attended meetings. Honeysuckle grass, put down rock and mulch, painted, and trimmed warrior skirmishes took place most every Saturday morning low hanging tree branches. Room to Run is a national to eradicate bush honeysuckle and volunteer junk trees campaign to enhance and revitalize dog parks in 30 revealing beautiful and dramatic rocky bluff formations cities across the United States and Canada. not seen for the last 50-75 years.
Belvidere Park Cleanup Spe Eve
Weekends April 6 May 13, 20 & 27 June 12 Car Free Weekends on Cliff Fountain Day at Swope Thimble Thursday Concerts Gregg-Klice All Star Boxing Drive Memorial Fountain in Garment Park Mania February 10, 17 & 25 April 10 May 16 June 15-July 3 Black History Month at Bruce Arbor Day Planting in Loose Sunday Parkways on Cliff Heart of America R, Watkins Cultural Heritage Park Drive (Rained Out) Shakespeare Festival in Southmoreland Park Center April 11 May 19 February 19-21 Earth Walk and Green Days KC Parks Employee June 19 Flower, Lawn & Garden and Festival in Theis Park Departmental Service Room to Run at Penn Valley Awards Breakfast Off-Leash Dog Park Home Show April 24 Arbor Day Activities May 22 June 19 March 6 Concert in the Park at Celebrating Urban Birds at Ethnic Enrichment April 24 Brookside Triangle Park Lakeside Nature Center Commission Diplomatic Ball EarthDay Celebration at Lakeside Nature Center May 31 June 19 March 12 Memorial Day at Liberty Urban American Outdoors BoomerWagon Dedication April 24 Memorial and Union Fishing Derby at Spring Global Youth Service Day March 13 Cemetery Valley Brookside St. Pat’s Warm-Up April 24 June 3-October 28 June 19 Parade Line Creek Trail Dedication Downtown Farmers Market Mayor’s Night Hoops Summer Tip Off March 17 April 24-25 in Ilus Davis Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Chalk Walk in the Historic June 3, 10 , 17 & 24 June 20 Broadway Northeast, The Concourse Thimble Thursday Concerts City of Fountains Bike Tour in Garment Park March 17 April 29 June 21 Green Exposures National Sports Center for June 5 NSCD KC Chiefs Sports Photography Contest the Disabled (NSCD) KC National Trails Day in Swope Camp KickOff Wizards Sports Camp Park and Jerry Smith Park Trail June 24 Briarcliff Nature Trail March 26 May 1-October 16 June 5 Groundbreaking KC Parks Partners Breakfast KC Organics and Natural Concert in the Park at Market in Minor Park Spring Valley Park June 26 March 27 May 8 June 6 Children’s TLC Duck Derby Rock the Parkway Half on Brush Creek Marathon San Rafael Park Trail Ribbon Rose Day at Loose Park Cutting June 6 June 26 March 27 May 8 Cancer Survivors Rally in Concert in the Park at Project Blue River Rescue in Bloch Cancer Survivors Park Seven Oaks and Ashland Swope Park Breakfast with the Beasts at Lakeside Nature Center June 12 Square Parks April 1 May 9 Dragon Boat Festival & June 28 Snakes Alive Exhibit Mother’s Day for Mother Races on Brush Creek FBI In-Service Project in Opening at the KC Zoo Earth in Theis Park (Rained Out) Belvidere Park KC Parks 8 2010 Year in Review cial nts
June 28 August 8 September 18 November 6 NSCD KC Royals Sports Opening of the Polar Bear KC Zoo Run/Walk: Run for The Wilderness Run at Shoal Camp Passage at the KC Zoo the Polar Bears Creek Living History Museum July 1-31 August 20-22 September 18 November 11 National Parks and Ethnic Enrichment Festival in Concert in the Park at Mill Veterans Day Observances Swope Park Recreation Month Creek Park November 13 July 2 August 21 September 18 Turkey Bowl at Line Creek Clips of Faith Beer & Film Mayor’s Night Kicks Final at WaterFire Kansas City on Ice Arena Tour in Theis Park Community America Brush Creek Ballpark December 3 July 6-August 17 Senior Holiday Luncheon August 25 September 20 Mayor’s Night Kicks NSCD Golf Classic at December 3 Tournament in Swope Park Historic Panel Dedication at Penguin Park Swope Memorial Santa’s Wonderland in July 7-8 October 2-12 Gillham Park Rockfest Open Houses September 3-5 KC Irish Fest in Washington KC Cancer Center Pink December 4 July 9, 16, 23 & 30 Square Park Fountains Santa’s Wonderland in Hyde Park Children’s Film Penguin Park September 4 October 8-9 Festival Concert in the Park at Magic Woods at Lakeside December 4 July 14 Russell Majors and Waddell Nature Center A Visit from St. Nicholas at Moon Glow Madness Teen Park Shoal Creek Living History Swim Party at The Springs October 9 Museum September 8 Butterfly Garden planting at July 17 Concert in the Rose Ilus Davis Park December 4, 10, 11, 13 & 18 Concert in the Park at Garden at Loose Park Mayor’s Holiday Parties Gillham Park October 9 September 11 Harvest Festival at Shoal December 11 July 24 Dippin’ Dogs Swim Party at Creek Living History Kris Kringle 5K Run in Swope Party in the Park at Swope The Springs Museum Park Park September 12 October 9-10 December 12 July 25 Black Veterans Memorial Santa’s Wonderland at Dedication Ceremony KC Indian Art Market in Concert in the Park at Oak Frank Vaydik Park Longview Tract Park September 13 December 15 October 12 July 29 Gates/Enshriners’ Golf KC Parks Employee City Ruthanne Harper Memorial Mentorship Program Kick-Off Tournament at Swope Service Awards Breakfast Memorial Dedication on Cliff Drive July 31 December 18 Pass Holder Appreciation September 16 October 16 Maplewoods Parkway Beach Bash at The Springs KC Green Kick-Off in Ilus Kansas City Marathon Dedication Davis Park August 7 November 5 December 18 September 17-19 Buggin’ the Fishes at The Cliffhanger Run on Cliff Skate with Santa at Line Kansas City Cup at Camp Lakeside Nature Center Drive in Kessler Park Creek Ice Arena Lake of the Woods KC Parks 9 2010 Year in Review KC Parks 10 2010 Year in Review
Playgrounds and Askew Park Playground Spraygrounds Askew Elementary School Playground Brookside Triangle Park Play Area Budd Park Playground Central Park Playground and Water Play Area Surfacing Gambril Tract Playground Highland View Park Playground Penguin Park Playground Sunnyside Park Sprayground Improvements Tiffany Springs Park Playground Winner Park Playground
Trails Briarcliff Greenway Trail Construction Gambril Tract Trail Gorman Park Trail Hodge Park Trail, N.96th to NE Barry Road Indian Creek Trail, 99th to Union Pacific Railroad Ivanhoe Park Trails and Sidewalks Jerry Smith Park Trail Noble Park Walking Trail Lighting Platte Purchase Walking Trail San Rafael Park Pavement & Walkway Improvements Town Fork Greenway Trail Overlay, 51st to 55th
Tennis Courts Minor Park Court Resurfacing Plaza Tennis Center Courts
Planning and Independence & Benton Intersection Master Plans Climate Sustainability Center Feasibility Study Spring Valley Park Master Plan Tower Park Water Tower Restoration Preservation Study
Monuments and Children’s Fountain Sculpture Conservation Fountains Cliff Drive Interpretive Panels-Ruthanne Harper Memorial Conservation Drips Memorial Restoration Firefighters Memorial Fountain Sculpture Conservation Loose Memorial Flagpole Restoration Meyer Circle Fountain Sculpture Repair and Cleaning Powell Memorial Fountain Sculpture Conservation Royster Memorial Conservation The Eagle Sculpture Conservation Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain Restoration Acquisition 3.0 Acre Addition to Tiffany Hills Park 3.9 Acre Addition to Big Shoal Greenway 4.3 Acre Central Region Maintenance Facility 7.6 Acre Addition to Frank Vaydik Park Ruthanne Harper Memorial on Cliff Drive
Jerry Smith Trail KC Parks 11 2010 Year in Review
Boulevard Curbs and Sidewalks Walks 29th & Wyandotte Curb, Walk and ADA Corners Improvement 31st and Broadway ADA Corners, Intersection Improvement 51st & Swope Parkway Sidewalk and ADA Corner Improvement Rockhill Road, 44th ADA corners and Sidewalk improvements Rockhill Road, 53rd to 55th Curb, Walk, & ADA Ramp Improvements-Phase I & II
Parking Lots Blue River Athletic Field - Service Road and Site Improvement Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center Parking Lot Lighting Hodge Park Parking Lots and Service Roads Restoration Minor Park Service Road Restoration Platte Purchase Park Tiffany Springs Park - New Parking Lot Improvements Swope Park - Mall Drive Service Road Restoration
Stone Wall and Brookside Boulevard Stair Repairs Bruce R. Watkins Drive Masonry Repairs The Colonnade at The Concourse Hyde Park Meyer Boulevard Columns Southmoreland Park Troost Lake Ward Parkway at 64th
Facility Maintenance Gorman Park Bridge and Repairs Heritage Fountain Demolition Jarboe Park Pool Restoration Lakewood Greenway Bridge Replacement Shoal Creek Living History Museum Roof Replacement and Mule Barn Demolition
Other Projects Black Archives of Mid-America, 17th Terrace Building Renovation Black Veterans Memorial Briarcliff Parkway Phase I Street Improvements Ivanhoe Park Renovations and Improvements Kansas City Zoo Polar Bear Exhibit Line Creek Parkway Street Lighting Maplewoods Parkway from Missouri Route 152 south to NE Barry Road Mulkey Square Park Sports Field Lighting Platte Purchase Park Sports Lighting on Six Fields Satchel Paige Memorial Stadium Renovation Sunnyside Park Shelter Swope Pool Floor Resurfacing The Grove Shelter Tiffany Springs Park T-Ball Field Renovation and Concession Room Flooring Meyer Circle Troost Lake Shelter Fountain
Completed Projects Kansas City Parks and Recreation has formal partnerships established with neighborhood, community, business and not-for-profit organizations. These partnerships allow our department to leverage resources and generate city-wide interest and support for our system facilities, programs and events. Bass Pro, Wonders of Wildlife Historical Society of New Santa Fe Trailside North Suburban Youth Football League Black Archives of Mid-America Inc. Center Northeast Inter Soccer League Boosters Blue River Watershed Association Home Builders Assoc.of Greater Kansas City Northern Knights Blue Valley Neighborhood Association Jackson County Parks and Recreation Northland Community Alliance Boys & Girls Clubs Jazz District Redevelopment Corporation Northland Girls Softball Broadway/Westport Council JE Dunn Construction Northland Neighborhoods Inc. Brookside Business Association Just Off-Broadway Theater Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce Brookside Roller Hockey Kansas City Art Institute Northland Rugby Football Club Brookside Soccer Kansas City Bicycle Club Northland Sports Alliance dba SPCAA Brush Creek Community Partners Kansas City Community Gardens Optimist Athletic Association Budd Park Committee Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association Park Hill School District Center for Equitable Education Kansas City Cricket Club Pendleton Heights Neighborhood Assoc. Center School District Kansas City Flying Disc Club Penn Valley Park Conservancy Platte County Convention & Visitors Bureau Center Planning Kansas City, Missouri Police Department Platte County Parks and Recreation Chaumiere Neighborhood Association Kansas City, Missouri School District Platte County Parks Partners Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall Platte County Trails Coordination Committee Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas City Northern Railroad Inc. Plaza Rotary Club City of Fountains Foundation Kansas City Organics & Natural Market Kansas City Pop Warner Football Police Athletic League (PAL) Blue Valley Clay County Parks and Recreation Dept. Port Authority of Kansas City, Missouri Clay County Parks Partners Committee Kansas City Rose Society Kansas City Royals Riverfront Heritage Trail Clay County Veterans Memorial Committee Kansas City Rugby Rockhill Homes Association Clay-Platte Baseball League Inc. Kansas City United Tennis Rockhurst High School Cliff Drive Scenic Byway Corridor Kansas City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ronald McDonald House Charities Management Committee Kansas City WildLands Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Assoc. Developmental Disability Services of Kansas City Wizards/On Goal/Sporting KC Sheffield Neighborhood Association Jackson County-EITAS KC North Community Center Advisory Board Shoal Creek Association Dogpark Improvement Group (DIG) KCPD Mounted Patrol The Sierra Club Don Bosco Youth Development Center KCWE Channel 29 Sister City Association of Kansas City Downtown Council of Kansas City, MO KPRS Hot 103 JAMZ Society for Friendship with China Earth Riders Trail Association (ERTA) Kessler Society of Kansas City South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Corporation Liberty Memorial Association SE Community Center Advisory Board The Enshriners Lykins Neighborhood Association Southern Communities Coalition EPIC Entertainment Martin City CID Southtown Council Ethnic Enrichment Commission MAST Ambulance Starlight Theatre Association FBI KC Citizen Academy Alumni Association Mattie Rhoades StoneLion Puppet Theatre Federal Reserve Bank Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) St. Pius X High School First Tee of Greater Kansas City Mid-Continent Public Library The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation Friends of Amity Woods Nature Park Mill Creek Park Association Tiffany Springs Parks Partners Friends of Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Missouri Department of Conservation 3 – Trails CID Center Missouri Department of Natural Resources 3 & 2 Baseball Tony Aguirre Community Center Advisory Friends of Lakeside Nature Center Missouri Department of Transportation Committee Friends of the Zoo (FOTZ) Missouri Highway & Transportation University of Missouri, Kansas City Friends of Riverfront Park Commission Union Cemetery Historical Society Full Employment Council (FEC) Missouri Master Gardeners Union Station Garden Center Association Missouri Master Naturalists USA Swimming Garrison Community Center Youth Advisory Missouri Parks & Recreation Association US Army Corp of Engineers Board Missouri State University US Fish & Wildlife Service Gillham Road Advisory Committee Monnett Battle of Westport Fund Inc. Verona Hills Homes Association City of Gladstone Parks and Recreation Mosaic Brain Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 317 Golden Oaks Neighborhood Association National Center for Indigenous American Vivion Road Gang Cultures at Line Creek Inc. (NCIAC) Gracemor Randolph Neighborhood Assoc. Waldo Area Business Association National Park Service GreenWorks of Kansas City Ward Family Foundation National Recreation & Parks Association Guadalupe Center Inc. Ward Parkway Homes Association National Sports Center for the Disabled Heart of America Council/Boy Scouts Westport-Roanoke Neighborhood Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Noble Homes Association Association Hickman Mills School District Northeast Arts KC The Whole Person Hills of Walden Home Owners Association North Kansas City Area Baseball Association Winnwood-Sunnybrook Neighborhood Hispanic Football Soccer Association North Kansas City School District Association KC Parks 12 2010 Year in Review Facts & Figures
Total Participation: 4,129,875 Natural Resources Trees trimmed: 8,671 Youth Participation: 1,942,121 Trees removed: 1,777 All facilities and programs Stumps removed: 1,492 Customer Participation: 510,608 Total acreage mowed: 61,429 Community Centers Cubic feet of snow removed: Customer Participation: 161,304 7,786,000 Pools/Spraygrounds Graffiti incidents removed: 1,290 Customer Participation: 1,643,332 Citizen 311 Action Center: 4,658 Athletic facilities and programs Requests Resolved Marketing and Maintenance Hours Worked Events Athletic field: 4,737 Facebook Fans: 1,026 Landscape: 29,417 Newsletter Distribution: Park facility repairs: 5,868 12,102 Number of Events: 194 Special event Event Attendance: preparation: 6,075 490,127 Litter/trash removal: 39,176 Volunteers Number of Volunteers: 8,352 Shelter Houses Volunteer hours: 800,514 Reservations: 704 Estimated value of volunteers: $16,210,415 Attendance: 54,940
Attendance SHAPE Report Golf Courses: 133,321 (Safe, Healthy, Attractive, Public Environments) Lakeside Nature The SHAPE provides up-to-date information on the Center: 21,544 overall conditions of our parks Loose Park Garden and facilities. Inspectors rate Center: 14,746 and report conditions immediately. Kansas City Zoo: 622,552 1,197 park inspections National WWI Museum: conducted 136,156 192 park sites involved Shoal Creek Living History Museum: 76,209 Park acceptability rating: 89% Starlight Theatre: 221,081 157 facility inspections conducted Bruce R. Watkins Cutural Heritage Center: 21facilities involved 13,330 Facility acceptability rating: 97% KC Parks 13 2010 Year in Review Accolades
In 2010, the Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation Honors & Awards Commissioners recognized several KC Parks Partners for Arbor Day Foundation: Tree City USA their volunteer contributions to parks and recreation: City of Kansas City, Missouri-22 years Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City for a Audubon International: demonstration garden at the Southeast Community Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Center Shoal Creek Golf Course Dona Boley for her efforts to remove brush honeysuckle City of Kansas City, Missouri: in Gillham Park Distinguished Trade/Craft Service Award Bryan Cameron, South District Maintenance Mechanic Greg Suttington for his work with the Golden Gloves program at Gregg/Klice Community Center Commuter Advertising Creative Award: Best Event Audio Advertising The Kansas City Illusion synchronized ice-skating team for Ethnic Enrichment Festival bringing recognition to the Line Creek Community Center Economic Development Council: Cornerstone Award-Public Projects The Kansas City Wizards for their work with the Mayor’s Zoo Tropics building in Swope Park-Finalist Night Kicks program
Forest ReLeaf of Missouri: Exceptional ReLeaf Award Wolfgang Bucher and Mosaic Brain for art partnerships Birmingham Farm Tree Planting
Ingram’s Magazine: Best of Business Awards Employee Years of Service Awards Best Charitable Event: Jazzoo, Silver 30 Years: City of Kansas City, Missouri Best Theater: Starlight Theatre, Silver Lafayette Bush, Park Facility Maintenance Best Family Outing: Kansas City Zoo, Silver Leo Collins, South Region-Park Maintenance Best Museum: National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, Gold Peter Jolly, Park Facility Maintenance Best Performing Arts Venue: Starlight Theatre, Gold Nate Logan, Loose Park Gardens Terry Stovall, North Region-Park Maintenance Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association: Holly Weddington, Community Services-Community Centers Visitors’ Choice Awards Favorite Performing Arts Venue : Starlight Theatre Favorite Kids Attraction: Kansas City Zoo Employee Retirements Concert/Live Music Venue: Starlight Theatre Burnetta Burtin, 29 years and 8 months of service Overall Attraction: Kansas City Zoo Daryl Duffett, 25 years and 3 months of service Golf Course: Swope Memorial Golf Course Wayne Gaye, 22 years and 3 months of service Kansas City Star Magazine’s 20 Tens: Twenty People, Richard (Dick) Nogosek, 17 years and 4 months of service Places and Things We are Proud to Have in Kansas City Terry Stovall, 30 years and 4 months of service Cheetah Exhibit, Kansas City Zoo John Williams, 24 years and 3 months of service Exercise Trail, Loose Park Remnant Prairie, Jerry Smith Park President Fierro Appointed to National Board KC Government Contracting & Procurement Forum In October, John Fierro was elected to the Board of Outstanding City Department In Small Business Directors for the National Recreation and Park Association Development (NRPA), a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation: enhance quality of life for all people. Preserve Missouri Award Black Archives Museum Through its network of roughly 21,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the National Institute on Recreation Inclusion: promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and Excellence in Inclusion Award conservation of natural and cultural resources. Mark Bowland, Community Services Manager The NRPA Board is responsible for the formulation of policies The Southtown Beautification March Sparkle Award that control and direct the affairs of the association. Board Southeast Community Center in Swope Park members are elected to three-year terms. KC Parks 14 2010 Year in Review Former/Current Employees Who Passed Away in 2010 In Memory Terry Dopson, February 23 Adrian Malone, December 20 Pearlie Mae Patterson, March 11 William Penn, February 26 Eddie Shelton, February 28
Terry Dopson, Former Parks Director Adrian C. Malone, Area Supervisor Terry Dopson, director of the Kansas City Parks and Adrian Malone, area supervisor—Park Facility Recreation Department for 15 years, died of pneumonia Maintenance, passed away on December 20, 2010, from on February 23, 2010, at a hospital in Texas. complications with diabetes.
Mr. Dopson was the sixth director in the history of the Adrian worked for the City of Kansas City, Missouri for 22 Kansas City Parks Department and he tended to the years, first in Aviation, before moving to Parks and legacy of its visionary, George Kessler. He was hired from Recreation in 1994 where approximately he worked until his death. 100 applicants in 1988 to He was responsible for the replace Jerry City’s monuments and Darter upon his memorials, community retirement. centers, swimming pools and spraygrounds. During his tenure, the His highest profile job was Parks keeping Kansas City’s 47 Department iconic fountains operating. He was the behind-the-scenes expanded and renovated the Kansas City Zoo with $50 guy that made sure the fountains flowed. He was million in bonds approved by voters. The department also considered an expert and received numerous calls from restored the Liberty Memorial, which had been closed for all over the country to consult on how to maintain and safety reasons. In addition, Dopson was director during the operate fountains. beautification of Brush Creek as part of a flood control project. Adrian was born November 10, 1955, the second of four children of Berron Sr. and Lida Eloise Malone. He married Although Dopson retired to Texas in 2003 he returned to Mary DeLoney in 1983 and had two children—Justin Cliff Kansas City every year for the Enshriners’ golf tournament. and Jessica Marie.
BoomerWagon Dedication: March 12, 2010 On March 12, 2010, KC Parks employees, friends and family gathered for the official unveiling and renaming of the ShowWagon to the BoomerWagon.
Charles LeRoy “Boomer” Grant worked for the City of Kansas City, Missouri for 39 years with service to Parks and Recreation as a senior equipment operator for the last 29. He passed away in August of 2009. The newly repainted, redecaled, and renamed BoomerWagon was dedicated in his memory. KC Parks 15 2010 Year in Review L-R: Aiken, Morton, Stackhaus, Webster, Fierro
City of Kansas City, Missouri Officials BOARD OF PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONERS Commissioner John Fierro, President Meghan Badwey Conger Tyrone Aiken 2008-2010 Daniel T. Morton In 2010, Commissioner Meghan Aggie Stackhaus Badwey Conger resigned from the Ajamu K. Webster Parks Board to accept a position as MAYOR Aide to Councilman Russ Johnson. Mark Funkhouser Commissioner Conger was appointed to the Board by Mayor CITY COUNCIL Mark Funkhouser in July 2008. Deb Hermann, First District-At-Large Bill Skaggs, First District Ed Ford, Second District-At-Large Russ Johnson, Second District Commissioner Daniel T. Morton Melba Curls, Third District-At-Large Daniel Morton was appointed by Mayor Mark Sharon Sanders Brooks, Third District Beth Gottstein, Fourth District-At Large Funkhouser to replace Commissioner Conger. Jan Marcason, Fourth District Commissioner Morton was officially sworn in at the Cindy Circo, Fifth District-At-Large November 9, 2010, Board meeting. He is the first Parks Terry Riley, Fifth District Commissioner to be appointed from Platte County. Cathy Jolly, Sixth District-At-Large John A. Sharp, Sixth District KC Parks 16 2010 Year in Review History
In the late 19th century, Kansas City had few paved streets and even fewer sidewalks, but the town was booming. As the population continued to grow and the city land size increased, the main focus remained on commerce and building places for people to live and work. There was, however, a group of citizens who saw the need for creating a better quality of life and improving the city’s appearance through the development of municipal parks, and later, a boulevard system.
The fledgling park movement continued to gather momentum until one of its firmest supporters, William Rockhill Nelson, moved to town and took up the cause. As the editor of the evening newspaper, The Star, Mr. Nelson used his position to campaign for paved roads and streets. He also advocated for improved sidewalks and sewers, decent public buildings, better streetlights, and more fire and police protection. His most enduring legacy, however, was the city’s park and boulevard system which he promoted with August Meyer, local businessman and president of the 1892 Park Board, predecessor to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. The Park Board hired landscape architect George E. Kessler to design a boulevard and park system master plan that would provide for a “city within a park.”
Work on the boulevard system began in 1893 with the development of Independence and Gladstone Boulevards. Acquisition of properties began in earnest when, in 1895, the city approved a charter amendment to give the Park Board power to condemn land, issue bonds and receive special taxes. North Terrace Park (now Kessler Park), West Terrace Park and later Penn Valley Park were among the first developments. A milestone was achieved with a gift of property from Col. Thomas H. Swope, a pessimistic “knocker” of the parks plan. In 1896, Swope deeded to the city more than 1,300 acres, which became the park that bears his name and the largest park in the system. Another important gift to the city was that of Loose Park in 1927, donated by Ella Loose in memory of her husband, Jacob.
Since then, hundreds of additional parks and boulevards have been developed throughout the greater Kansas City area. In 1967, the Park Department and Recreational Division of the city’s Welfare Department were combined into the present-day Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department. Thanks to the foresight of city leaders and advocates, Kansas City is internationally known for its beautiful parks and boulevards system. Today’s Parks, Recreation and Boulevards Department honors the past while continuing to grow and make improvements for the future.
Photo Credits: Steve Johnson Paul McMillian, Van Deusen Photography Heidi Downer, Jesse Frazier, Melinda Minks, KC Parks Marketing
KC Parks 2010 Year in Review K A N S A S C I T Y MISSOURI Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation 4600 East 63rd Street Kansas City, Missouri 64130 816-513-7500
kcmo.org/parks