KC Parks News

{NEWS} Healthier Snacks Now Available at KC Parks Community Centers

WHO: City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation

WHAT: Removal of vending machines and transition to concession sales with healthier snack options

WHEN: Beginning February 2, 2015

WHERE: All ten KC Parks community centers. Link to locations>

PROJECT: KC Parks has partnered with MU Extension and the City of Kansas City, MO Health Department to pilot Eat Smart in the Parks programs at all ten KC Parks community centers.

Following numerous requests for healthier snack options, extensive surveying was conducted to determine interest and snack choices. More than 80% of respondents felt that healthier options were important with top motivators for purchasing being affordability (68.42%), followed by convenience (45.61%) and nutrition (43.27%). The top healthier options chosen include trail mix, granola bars and protein bars.

MENU: Initial healthier snack options include granola bars, fruit snacks, protein bars, PowerAde O and bottled water. Prices range from $.50 to $2 per item and can be purchased at each center’s front desk.

SUPPORT: The program is partially funded by a Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Grant the Health Department received from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Community Meetings Scheduled for KC Parks Boulevards and Parkway Project

The Parks and Boulevard system in Kansas City is one of the jewels of our city.  The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners began in 2006 to adopt standards which impact what can be done within the City’s Right of Way, and also set expectations on what should be developed and maintained on the property adjacent to park property.  As older parts of the City are reimagined and newer parts are being evaluated for development, it is the intention to have standards which allow for quality development to be made an enforceable aspect of the development code. 

The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners have been leading a process with numerous suggestions that will impact all parts of the park system.  The public is invited to weigh in on these changes by attending any or all of the meetings to let City staff, elected and appointed officials hear feedback on the proposals.

MIDTOWN: Tuesday, January 27 @ 6-7:30 p.m.
Maincor Offices, 3215 Main Street, KCMO 64111,

NORTHLAND: Wednesday, January 28 @ 6-7:30 p.m.
Northland Neighborhoods Inc. Offices, 4420 Northeast Chouteau Trafficway, KCMO 64117

SOUTHTOWN: Tuesday, February 3 @ 6-7:30 p.m.
KCPD South Patrol Offices, 9701 Marion Park Drive, KCMO 64137

For questions, please call Denise Phillips at 816-513-7556 or email at denise.phillips@kcmo.org.

DOWNLOADS>
* KC Parks and Boulevards Facts
* KC Parks and Boulevards Overview

Employee Service Awards

Thirty-five Parks and Recreation employees were recently recognized for their collective 730 years of continuous service to the City of Kansas City, Missouri. Thank you for your dedication!

FIVE YEAR AWARDS
ADMINISTRATION
Financial/Procurement Services: Chesere Gayhardt

COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Centers: Jon Lindsay
Lakeside Nature Center: Kimberly Hess

TEN YEAR AWARDS  
NATURAL RESOURCES
Central Region: Karen Redmond
Forestry: Roy Howard
North Region: Michael Reed
South Region: Peter Gross and Gregory Harris

PLANNING/DESIGN SERVICES
Planning: Jimmi Lossing
Park Facility Maintenance:Cecil Winters

FIFTEEN YEAR AWARDS
ADMINISTRATION
Financial/Procurement Services: Mary Zonnooz

COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Centers: Laretha Robinson, Linda Myles, Kristin Harmon, and Christopher Anderson

NATURAL RESOURCES
Central Region: Michael Music and Marcel Chism
Loose Park Gardens: Christi Huffhines

PLANNING/DESIGN SERVICES
Park Facility Maintenance: Ed Shaw
Planning: Rebecca Hadjian and Richard Allen

TWENTY YEAR AWARDS
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Centers: Helston Singleton and Lesa Lewis

PLANNING/DESIGN SERVICES
Park Facility Maintenance: James Smith

TWENTY-FIVE YEAR AWARDS 
NATURAL RESOURCES
Central Region: Norma Haynes, Bobby Jenkins (retired)
South Region: Edward Rollins
Forestry: Daniel Hambrick

PLANNING/DESIGN SERVICES
Planning: Robin Holt-Wolf

THIRTY YEAR AWARDS
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Centers: Larry Robinson

NATURAL RESOURCES
South Region: Bryan Edwards

PLANNING/DESIGN SERVICES
Park Facility Maintenance: Dale Naset and
Barbara Scott

THIRTY-FIVE YEAR AWARDS
ADMINISTRATION
Administration: Diana Tinnin

FORTY YEAR AWARDS
ADMINISTRATION
Director: Mark L. McHenry

A Rose is a Rose: 2015 Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest

Let the beautiful roses in the historic Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden in Loose Park inspire your child/student to write an original Valentine poem!   Submissions are to be postmarked by February 14^th, 2015.

How to write:  Each original poem MUST include the word “rose” at least once.  The poem must be typed or legibly hand-written on 8 1/2 x 11- inch paper with the child’s name, school, grade, and city.  Parent phone number and email address should be on the back side of the paper.   (Be sure to keep a copy for your child!)

Who can enter:   All children in the greater KC area in grades 3 through 8.  Only one entry per child, please.  Winners will be chosen in three categories: grades 3 and 4, grades 5 and 6, and grades 7 and 8.

How to submit:   Mail poems to KCRS Poetry Contest, Loose Park Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania, KC, MO  64112.  Entries must be postmarked by February 14^th, 2015.

Winners:   There will be one winner for each category.  Each winner will receive a cash prize of $50.00 and a certificate of achievement signed by Mayor Sly James, KC Parks Director Mark McHenry, and KCRS President JoAnn Stultz.  Winning poems will be published on the KCRS website on February 28^th!!

Judges:  Poet Alarie Tennille, author of Running Counterclockwise and poet Al Ortolani, author of Waving Mustard in Surrender.

The Kansas City Rose Society is a 501 c-3 not-for-profit corporation.  For more information please go to www.kansascityrosesociety.org or contact Arlyn Silvey at  816-803-5653.

History of The Fairy Princess

The Fairy Princess first appeared in 1935 at Kline’s Toyland and delighted children until her reign ended with its closing in the 1970s. In 1987, The Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall revived The Fairy Princess tradition which continues annually the first three weekends of December.

To past generations of Kansas City children, the holidays meant a visit with the fabulous Fairy Princess at Kline’s Department Store, 1113 Main Street. There, in Kline’s wondrous Toyland, yesterday’s youngsters told their fondest holiday hopes to the Fairy Princess. But the beautiful Fairy Princess did much more than listen. Being magical, she waved her wand to make a surprise gift appear for each child. This gift was a delightful prelude to the holidays when children received toys on their wish list.

The Fairy Princess tradition began in 1935 when Kline’s first opened its Toyland. The brand new toy department incorporated the latest trends in child development. As Kline’s officials informed the “modern mother and fathers” of 1935, “we consulted child psychologists and child experts” because “we wanted toys that would help your child develop a more alert mind, a healthier body and a happier disposition.” And, as an additional incentive to lure modern parents to Kline’s, they presented the Fairy Princess. A child could visit Santa at any department store, but only Kline’s featured the unique Fairy Princess.

In the following decades, the white-gowned, lovely Fairy Princess continued to fascinate children as some aspects of the presentation changed. Yet, it mattered little whether the surprise package slid down a chute, revolved on a turntable, appeared behind doors in a fairyland tree or lie in a festively decorated trunk because the Fairy Princess’ magic remained the same. Amazingly, so did the 25 cent fee Kline’s charged for a visit with the Fairy Princess from the 1930s through the 1960s.

The 1960s brought more and more children to this popular holiday attraction. Kline’s new branch store in the Ward Parkway and Antioch Shopping Centers increased the number of children this retailer could delight. To reach even more children, Kline’s sent the Fairy Princess to pediatric wards in area hospitals and to some public schools. Kline’s kept making the holidays special with the Fairy Princess until the late 1960s, shortly before the business closed in 1970.

To re-create one of the treasured traditions of downtown Christmas, the Kansas City Museum brought back the Fairy Princess tradition in 1987. The mission of the Fairy Princess event is to recreate this Kansas City historic event with an air of wonder and excitement. The event is part of local history and something children and adults of today enjoy.

Send the Kids to Starlight’s Frosty Fun Days on December 29-30

Students ages 6 to 10 can warm up their imaginations and performance skills over winter break by participating in Frosty Fun Days at Starlight Theatre. Now in its third year, this interactive day camp gives students an opportunity to explore the world of musical theatre.

This year’s sessions are offered indoors at Starlight on Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30. Students may register for one day or both. Each day’s agenda is packed full of theatre games, storytelling, music, dance and movement. Campers even make props and create a piece of live theatre to share with their new friends during each day’s finale – the Shivery Showoff!

The registration fee for one day is $45, or $81 for both days (a 10% discount). Camp runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily with before and after care available for an additional fee.

The teaching artists for Frosty Fun Days are:

• Stephanie Charlton. Stephanie, the Movement/Music Teaching Artist for Frosty Fun Days, has been involved in the arts ever since she could walk. She studied theater performance at Johnson County Community College under the guidance of Beate Pettigrew and Sheila Philip. For the past 11 years, Stephanie has performed locally and nationally with such companies as the Seem to Be Players (American Tall Tales National Tour), Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre (The Who’s TOMMY, Ragtime), The Mystery Train and Theater for Young America (Cinderella, Goldilocks and the Three Bears). In addition to performing, she is a teaching artist with The Coterie and teaches a theater class at the downtown Central Kansas City Library branch.
• Derek Jensen. Derek, the Acting Teaching Artist for Frosty Fun Days, is in his second year as theater teacher at Topeka High School, where he currently co-sponsors the school’s thespian chapter, directs the winter play and serves as assistant director for the musical. A 2008 graduate of Emporia State University, Derek taught middle school drama in Dodge City for three years and was technical director at Olathe Northwest High School for two years. He previously was a teaching assistant at Starlight’s Spring Break and Act Like An Animal camps.

Sign up soon so your aspiring young artist can ditch those winter doldrums at Starlight!

Click for more information and to register for Frosty Fun Days.