KC Parks News

Kansas City Zoo Welcomes Lion-Tailed Macaques

Listen for the grunts, screams and yowls of the new monkeys who moved into Tiger Trail. Zoo guests will get a rare opportunity to view these endangered and unique lion-tailed macaques. Opened on June 13, these striking lion-tailed macaques are finding a new home in the recently refurbished tiger exhibit.

A troop of five lion-tailed macaques, one male and four female, came to the Kansas City Zoo from the San Diego Zoo and the St. Louis Zoo.

These cheek-pouched monkeys are one of the smallest and most endangered of the macaque species. They have a shiny black coat and an impressive silvery-grey mane that frame their face. Lion-tailed macaques name refers to the tip of their tails which somewhat resemble that of a lion’s tail.

Native to the rainforests in Southwestern India, lion-tailed macaques live in small groups and spend most of their time in the trees, they even sleep high up in the forest canopy. Their biggest threat is the deforestation – a mere 1% of their original habitat remains today.

The Kansas City Zoo is thrilled to have these rare and majestic creatures. Watch the lion-tailed macaques explore their comfy new home on Tiger Trail.

Kansas City Zoo is open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekends. Call (816) 513-5800, or visit our web site www.kansascityzoo.org for more information

The Kansas City Zoo, a private, non-profit organization, is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, MO Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, partially funded by the Zoological District and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

House of Hope 5K will Affect Plaza Area Traffic on Saturday Morning

The City of Kansas City, Mo., is notifying motorists that the House of Hope 5K will affect traffic in the Plaza area on Saturday, June 15.

The race will begin on the west side of Theis Park. Rolling road closures will take place from approximately 8 to 9:30 a.m. on the following race route: head north on Oak Street; west on Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard, which turns into 47th Street; south on Jefferson Street; east on Ward Parkway; south on JC Nichols Parkway; east on Ward Parkway; south on Brookside Boulevard; east on 54th Street; north on Oak Street to Theis Park for the finish.

For more information on the House of Hope 5K, please visit www.hopechallenge5k.com.

Please observe caution and obey all posted detours and barricades.

Grip Equipment presents the 31st Kansas City Wide Open

The largest annual professional disc golf tournament to be held June 14-16 on the Kansas City area disc golf courses

What:  This 31^st annual disc golf event will bring in competitors from all over the world.  As of this print there are individuals from 27 states, Sweden, Finland and Australia making the trip to the area to compete for over $50,000 in cash and prizes on the world championship level courses that Kansas City has to offer.  This event is one of the top 6 events in the governing organization, The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), tournaments called the National Tour.  Kansas City has hosted more National Tour events and World Championships than any other municipality in the history of the sport and looks to have a record attendance for the event again this year.

Past world champions and future stars will be competing on 4 of the area courses to gain the title of Champion of the Grip Equipment Kansas City Wide Open.  There has not been a consecutive title winner in the event since 2001 when Juliana Korver (5x Women’s World Champion and disc golf hall of fame member) threw to victory.  With World Champion, US Champion, European Open Champion, Japan Open Champion and 2x Wide Open Champion David Feldberg winning last year, and 3x World Champion, 5x Player of the Year and 2x US Women’s Champion Valarie Jenkins returning to defend their title, that history may be repeated, or it may be a new individual to win this prestigious event. Come watch to find out!

When:              June 14-16 2013 –Final 9 (top 4 men and top 3 women) Sunday at Swope Park @ 2pm (Elmwood & Gregory)

Where:            Waterworks, Swope, and Blue Valley Park in KC MO, and Rosedale park in KC KS

News:   The non-profit Kansas City Flying Disc Club organizes recreational play all year long at the area’s 16 courses, including winter weekends. For more information, visit www.kcfdc.org .  Grip Equipment is the premier disc golf bag producing company based in Lawrence with players wearing their product worldwide, visit www.gripeq.com .

Disc golf is similar to golf (disc golfers often call it “ball” or “stick” or “traditional” golf ) in procedure, pace, and psychology. Instead of clubs and balls, disc golfers used golf discs (smaller, heavier, and aerodynamically superior to the Frisbees used for playing catch).  Disc golfers play the throw from where it lies, and count each throw until the disc lands in the basket or within the chains. Disc golf is a lot of fun, quite challenging and relatively inexpensive to play.

More information about KC Parks Disc Golf Courses.

Dragon Boat Races this Saturday!

Dragon Boat Saturday is almost here! From boat practice at 8 a.m. through the opening ceremony of a dozen dragons parading down Ward Parkway to puppet shows and stage show, Chinese chess tournament and food, there will be something for everyone.

Kansas City’s Society for Friendship with China will host the celebration beginning with a children’s Dragon Parade along Ward Parkway from Wornall to the Kansas City Parks and Recreation stage at Nichols Parkway, to open the day of arts and crafts, dance and performance at street level while Dragon Boats race on the creek below.  A Chinese chess tournament from 2 to 4 p.m. will precede a dinner featuring our guests from the Chinese Cultural Ministry in Xi’an and their puppeteers to be held at UMKC’s Attebury Student Success Center across the Rockhill Road parking lot from the Performing Arts Center at 5:30 p.m., with tickets for sale at the festival and at the door for $20 per adult and $10 for children 12 and younger.

Kansas City’s Sister City, Xi’an, will participate with a special treat: a troupe of Chinese puppeteers at the festival on Parks and Rec stage. These puppets are incorporated into a dramatic dance program. Other Chinese dance, music and martial arts will add to the program. Separate puppet shows also will be presented for patients in Children’s Mercy Hospital and for the Families Blessed with the World’s Children.

The heart of the event is the Dragon Boat Race on Brush Creek, a nod to the river dragons in Miyou River who took in the soul of the poet/statesman Xu Yuan, the event that founded the festival about 300 BCE. The race signifies the search for his human body by the fishermen in the nearby city. In the academic section UMKC will have three teams Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Delta Zeta sorority and the Enactus team. Johnson County Community College, Kansas City Art Institute, KU, K-State and Park University each will have one team in the race. The Kansas City Parks and Recreation team rowing team will be joined by Rotary Club 13 and Sun Marble, as well as teams traveling from Indonesia and Thailand, in bracketed competitions from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

You won’t want miss this event. Please join us at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at Brush Creek on the Country Club Plaza from Nichols Parkway to Wornall for a full day of fun.

MORE INFORMATION: www.chinagardensociety-kc.org

Gov. Nixon in Kansas City on Thursday to Highlight 100 Missouri Miles Challenge

Gov. Jay Nixon will be at Jacob L. Loose Memorial Park in Kansas City on Thursday (June 6) to encourage area residents to become part of the 100 Missouri Miles Challenge. The initiative, launched on June 1, encourages Missourians to join the Governor and First Lady Georganne Nixon in completing “100 Missouri Miles” of physical activity by the end of the year by walking, running, biking, rolling, paddling or hiking throughout the state, including Missouri’s State Parks.

The Governor, who will hike in the park on Thursday, will be joined at the Garden Center by local city and parks officials, and by area fitness and outdoors enthusiasts. Gov. Nixon will hold a 1:45 p.m. news conference before he hikes.

Missouri was recently named the “Best Trails State” by American Trails, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting our nation’s hiking, biking and riding trails. The national award is presented every two years to the state with the most innovative and successful trail sharing efforts, programs, and systems.

“From backcountry hiking trails to urban bike paths, Missouri’s award-winning trails offer healthy outdoor activities for Missourians of all ages and interests,” Gov. Nixon said. “The First Lady and I invite all Missourians to join us on the 100 Missouri Miles Challenge as we promote Missouri’s outdoor heritage, improve our health, and have fun with family and friends.”

Missouri offers nearly 1,000 miles of trails managed by Missouri State Parks, more than 500 miles of National Recreation Trails designated by the U.S. Department of Interior, and thousands of trail miles maintained by municipalities, local park districts, schools, colleges, churches, private entities, not for profit groups, and other local groups throughout the state.

Thursday, June 6

WHO:              Gov. Jay Nixon

WHAT:            Highlight new initiative to encourage physical activity and promote the outdoors

WHEN:            1:45 p.m. news conference, to be followed by hike in the park

WHERE:          Jacob L. Loose Memorial Park – Garden Center, 5200 Pennsylvania Avenue, Kansas City, MO

Follow @GovJayNixon and @100MoMiles on Twitter for updates on the challenge.

For planning purposes, please e-mail Scott.Holste@mo.gov if you intend to cover this event.

City Notifies Residents of Weekend Race Closures

The City of Kansas City, Mo., is notifying motorists that two races and one bicycle tour will affect traffic this weekend.

On Saturday, June 8, the Martini Mile will begin on 31st Street at DeGroff Way. Road closures will take place from approximately 3-5:30 p.m. on the following race route: east on 31st Street; north on Gillham Road; west on 30th Street; north on Grand Boulevard; west on 29th Street; south on Walnut Street; east on 30th Street; south on DeGroff Way and east on 31st Street to the finish line. For more information the Martini Mile, please visit www.martinimile.com.

On Sunday, June 9, the Ride the Fountains Bike Tour will close Pershing Road between Main Street and Kessler Road from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The actual bicycle tour will not result in road closures. To view a complete map of the bicycle route and more information about the Ride the Fountains Bike Tour, please visit the ride’s Facebook page.

On Sunday, June 9, the Dog N Jog will begin at the Central Street at Ward Parkway. Road closures will take place from approximately 7-10:30 a.m. on the following streets: Nichols Road from Pennsylvania Avenue to Wyandotte Street; Central Street from 47th Street to Ward Parkway (north); Broadway Street from 47th Street to Ward Parkway (south); Wyandotte Street from 47th Street to Ward Parkway (north); 48th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to Jefferson Street; JC Nichols Parkway from 47th Street to Ward Parkway (north); and Ward Parkway (north) from JC Nichols Parkway to Jefferson Street. For more information on Dog N Jog, please visit www.hsgkc.org.

Please observe caution and obey all posted detours and barricades.