Dear Friends of Parks and Recreation, When I think about this past year, the first words that Swope Park, we opened our second dog park, added It seems that our work is not going unnoticed. Major come to mind are THANK YOU. Thank you for your just over one-mile of exercise trails, and initiated improvements for KC Parks were seen in four areas confidence and commitment to KC Parks and Kansas installation of an improved signage system. A new of the Citizen Satisfaction survey including park City as evidenced by the 63% approval of Question event, Brush Creek ArtWalk, took place on four-miles maintenance, quality of park facilities, maintenance #1 last August. The funds that Parks and Recreation of lush tree-lined walks along the creek banks. Over of boulevards/parkways, and community centers. receive from this sales tax enable our department to the creek, the new Troost Bridge was opened with a Significant areas of improvement were reflected in proactively plan for the future and enhance our services grand celebration in May. the quality of outdoor athletic fields, walking and and amenities to better serve our residents. biking trails, and ease of registering for programs. In an effort to promote clean air and good health, Thank you to our Board of Parks and Recreation we launched a pilot program in 13 parks instituting The end of an era in leadership came to a conclusion Commissioners, both past and present, who united smoke-free zones focusing on areas where children in 2012 with the retirement of our Deputy Director for the campaign to successfully promote the play. These zones will be expanded in 2013. Recycling Steve Lampone. Steve was a force with KC Parks passage of Question #1. I am also thankful for quality programs began for visitors to our community for 35 years and served as deputy director for the employees who deliver on promises. Their top-notch centers and select parks. Since the program’s launch past nine years. His energetic, entrepreneurial “can service, strong work ethic and past performance, last summer, more than three tons of materials have do” spirit, unassuming leadership style and historical enabled our citizens to confidently vote “yes”. been diverted from the landfill. knowledge will be missed. Although the sales tax initiative was clearly our Kansas City’s historic Boulevard and Parkway system KC Parks continues to listen to our residents in order to greatest accomplishment, we had other notable expanded in the Northland with the opening of the new provide the programs, services and amenities to best achievements in 2012 which are highlighted in this Highway 169 Interchange at Tiffany Springs Parkway serve our public. We look forward to new opportunities Year in Review including the opening of The Bay Water (formerly NW 96th Street). A similar interchange at in 2013 and appreciate your continued support. Park and the 9th & Van Brunt Athletic Complex, MLB 108th Street is undergoing construction and will open All-Star Week activities, Club KC, and improvements in 2013 as an extension of Shoal Creek Parkway. And Mission to Spring Valley Park. But there is more. in recognition of our world-class system, the American Planning Association announced the designation of In 2012, we began a much needed multi-million Ward Parkway as one of 10 Great Streets for 2012 dollar facelift to one of our oldest and most highly under their Great Places in America program. To improve the quality of life by providing recreational, visible parks, Penn Valley Park. In our largest park, leisure, and aesthetic opportunities for all citizens, and by conserving and enhancing the environment. We will accomplish this mission by providing Sincerely, quality programming, making the best use of existing resources, developing a supportive and Mark L. McHenry influential constituency, developing effective collaborations and partnerships, and acquiring Director and preserving natural features. 1 2012 Highlights First Class Recreation Amenities Open up South When The Bay Water Park opened in south Kansas hardwood from Brazilian rainforests--that includes Bay’s first Dippin’ Dogs swim party after the pool City’s Longview Park on May 25, it was a triumphant two family changing rooms. One hundred and thirty closed for the season. moment for a part of the city that had been void of seasonal employees helped operate the facility public water facilities for more than a decade. which was open from Memorial Day weekend The Bay Water Park is adjacent to a large spray ground through Labor Day. Capacity is 1,000 patrons. and play ground. The rest of the 19-acre Longview Park The $8 million state-of-the-art facility features features two football fields, a walking trail, basketball 350,000 gallons of water loaded with amenities Programs and events offered at The Bay included courts and a shelter house. including a six-lane lap pool, zero depth entry Splash and Play, group and private swim lessons, leisure pool, water playground, family slide, 900- Jr. Lifeguard program, Water Safety Awareness foot lazy river with waves, two tube slides, and a Clinics, River Walking, Aqua Camp and family and swirl bowl slide. teen parties. Private pool rentals and Birthday Party packages were also available. There are 23 sun shades, reasonably priced concessions, and a bath house constructed from Thousands of patrons visited the new facility during Ipe wood--an extremely durable and sustainable its inaugural season plus 50 dogs who attended The 3 Camp Fire Heartland at Camp Lake of the Woods Completed Projects Construction Projects Monuments & Fountains Conservation Broadway Streetscape Repairs, 39th to Armour Blvd. Ilus Davis Memorial Statue Broadway /Westport Streetscape Marlborough Fountain Central Region Fueling System Facility Meyer Circle Seahorse Fountain Kansas City Zoo New Tiger Exhibit Bernard Powell Fountain Kansas City Zoo Sea Lion Exhibit Shade Structure Longview Tract Outdoor Aquatics, The Bay Water Park Parking Lot Improvements Observation Park Phase I Penn Valley Park Road and Lake Improvements Liberty Park Kansas City Zoo Playgrounds Gregg Klice Community Center Loose Park Garden Center Budd Park Minor Park Tennis Court Complex Platte Purchase Park Tiffany Hills Park San Rafael Park KC Wide Open Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park Professional Disc Stone Wall Repairs Golf Championships Trails Mulkey Square Park Blue River Trail Observation Park Daniel Morgan Boone Trail Southmoreland Park Briarcliff Greenway Trail Brush Creek Trail Tennis Court Resurfacing Dunn Park Trail Margaret Kemp Park Trail Gillham Park Roanoke Park Mountain Bike Trail Loose Park Swope Park Trails Facility Maintenance & Repairs Athletic Fields Ashland Park Shelter 9th & Van Brunt Athletic Complex /Soccer Fields Cleveland Park Landscaping Clark Ketterman Park Baseball Field Improvements Grove Park Restrooms Cleveland Park Baseball Field Improvements Montgall Park Shelter Improvements Mulkey Square Park Baseball Field Improvements Oak Park Baseball Field Improvements Land Acquisition Police Athletic League (PAL) Center Football Fields Spring Valley Park Baseball and Football Fields Longview Tract addition, 1.96 acres Waterwell Park Baseball Field Improvements Marlborough Community Center, .31 acres Master Plans Other Projects Byram’s Ford Big Blue Battlefield Noble Park Lighting, Trail & Bridge repairs Anne Garney Park Red Bridge Art Panel Installation Garrison Community Center Swope Park Off-Leash Dog Park Sheila Kemper Grand Boulevard Streetscape Swope Park Signage Phase I Dietrich Park Hodge Park Troost Lake Lighting Little Blue Valley Park Vineyard Gardens Drainage Improvements Swope Park Pleasant Valley Park Westwood Park Lighting Off-Leash Dog Park 5 2012 Highlights . And in the Northeast For more than a year, KC Parks worked to transform Prior to the transformation, the site once housed the quality artificial turf. The soccer fields are operated, the intersection of 9th & Van Brunt into a community headquarters of the Area Transportation Authority as maintained and programmed in partnership with gathering place and soccer complex. A ribbon cutting well as its street cars. When ATA ceased using the the Mattie Rhodes Center. ceremony and community picnic was held June 29 to land, the intersection became an eyesore with broken celebrate the completion and officially kick-off the asphalt and growing weeds. It became a place to As the new home for the revamped Mayor’s Night Mayor’s Night Kicks youth soccer league. dump and an area that attracted negative activity. Kicks program, the 9th & Van Brunt complex proved to be extremely successful in uniting and Sitting on a 12.4 acre site, the athletic fields include A number of community, city and federal partners celebrating the international flavor of the historic a new artificial turf soccer field, two natural turf made the athletic complex possible. A portion of Northeast. Twenty teams, comprised of 200 practice fields, decorative and stadium lighting, an the project funding was made possible through a athletes, participated in the 7-week long Mayor’s amphitheater/event plaza that seats 360, concession $2.5 million HUD Economic Development Initiative- Night Kicks tournament to the enjoyment of more building with restrooms, paved parking lot, a 1/2-mile Special Project Grant. The remaining funding came than 2,800 spectators. walking trail surrounding the fields and landscaping. from City PIAC funds, and a $200,000 grant from Other improvements include a brick wall sound barrier the United States Soccer Foundation and Sporting and