KC Parks News

Three Races Impact Weekend Traffic on April 27-28

The City of Kansas City, Mo., is notifying motorists that three separate races will impact traffic in Brookside/Waldo, the Country Club Plaza and Downtown on April 27 and 28.

On Saturday, April 27, the AIDS Walk will begin at 10 a.m. in Theis Park. Two street segments will be closed: Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard from Rockhill Road to JC Nichols Parkway, and Oak Street from Volker Boulevard to Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard. Other streets in the area will remain open, but motorists should watch for directed traffic at intersections.

On Sunday, April 28, the Trolley Run begins at 7:45 a.m. at 75th Street and Wornall Road, with road closures beginning at 3 a.m. to set up for the race. Seven waves of runners will head north on Wornall Road, east on Gregory Boulevard, north on Main Street, west on 69thStreet, north on Brookside Road, west on Meyer Boulevard, north on Brookside Boulevard and west on Ward Parkway where the route ends at Central Street in the Country Club Plaza.

Also on Sunday, April 28, the March for Babies will begin at 10 a.m. at Truman Road and Walnut Street. Walkers will head south for four blocks on Walnut Street before splitting into a long and short route. Three street segments will be closed from 3 a.m.-1 p.m.: Grand Boulevard between 13th Street and Truman Road, Walnut Street between 13th Street and Truman Road, and 14th Street from Main Street to Grand Boulevard. In addition, a rolling closure will take effect from 9:45-11 a.m. as walkers proceed along Walnut Street between Truman Road and 19th Street.

For more information or media inquiries about these closures, please contact Jenny Chronister, Kansas City race manager, at 816-588-2793.

Parks Spotlight: KC Northern Miniature Railroad

The Kansas City Northern Railroad is an all volunteer, not for profit organization operating in partnership with KC Parks.  The group was formed in 1984 when Kansas City Parks and Recreation asked for volunteers to restore and operate the former Kansas City Zoo train that had been retired from operation at the Zoo in Swope Park.

KCNRR has two restored Miniature Train Company (MTC) and one Allen Herschell G-16 trains that operate on one-half mile of track in Frank Vaydik Park, 60th & NW Waukomis Drive, weekends from May through October.

Kansas City Southern No. 31 (the red train, named the Southern Belle) is the oldest of the three.  It entered service at the Kansas City Zoo in 1953.  The train ran in Swope Park until 1972 when it was retired and was then stored until 1984.  After complete restoration by the volunteers, this was the first train to operate on the Kansas City Northern when operation commenced in July 1992.

Union Pacific No. 910 (the yellow train, named the City of Kansas City) is the second oldest.  It was one of two given to the city of Pittsburg, PA by the Mellon banking family. The first began operating at the Pittsburgh zoo, in 1955.  It later migrated to the city park in Manhattan, KS. The other train is reported to be in Washington state awaiting restoration.  The Kansas City Northern obtained the train after it was retired in Manhattan.  It was subsequently fully restored and placed in operation on the Kansas City Northern. The train was sand blasted and repainted in the Kansas City Northern paint scheme. It was finished in time to operate at the end of the 2012 season.

Missouri Pacific No. 651 (the blue train, named The Eagle) is the youngest of the three.  It first operated at the Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton, NY in 1963.  It was retired in 1986 and stored outdoors for many years.  The Kansas City Northern purchased the rusted hulk in 2001.  After extensive restoration, it was placed in service in 2005.

You can experience these trains in person at a celebration for National Train Day & 20th Anniversary of KCNRR on Saturday, May 11. From Noon-4 p.m. enjoy a giant inflatable train, face painting, live music, crafts with Macaroni Kids Northland, a caricature artist, and the Kansas City Zoomobile. Food will be available for purchase from the Chartroose Caboose.  PLUS the Line Creek Creek Ice Arena, also located in Frank Vaydik Park, will offer 2-for-1 ice skating from 2-4 p.m.  All aboard for fun!

KC Parks Received TRIM Grant

The Forestry Operations Division of Kansas City Parks and Recreation received a Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance (TRIM) grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). TRIM grants assist Missouri communities with the management, improvement and/or conservation of their trees and forests.

Kansas City was awarded a $10,000 grant for tree removal and planting along city streets. The grant will be used to remove and replace mature Ash trees along The Paseo Boulevard as a pre-emptive measure for combating the Emerald Ash Borer.

The 41 Ash trees that will be removed and replaced are specifically located on The Paseo from the north end at 51st Street to the south end at 79th Street.

The Ash trees will be removed during April and May by in-house Forestry Operations staff and replaced during that same period under a contract with American Lawn and Landscape. The replacement species composition consists of 8 Valley Forge Elms; 9 Legacy Sugar Maples; 9 Shademaster Locusts; 5 Northern Red Oak; 5 Royal White Whitebuds; and 5 Shumard Oak.  The chosen replacements are more resilient to disease and able to withstand urban growing conditions.

TRIM is a competitive cost-share grant from MDC in cooperation with the Missouri Community Forest Council and U.S. Forest Service that provides up to $10,000 for community tree inventories, removal or pruning of trees, tree planting and educational programs.

New Majestic Leopard Goes On Exhibit at KC Zoo

A beautiful 10-year old female Amur leopard went on exhibit for the first time in the Zoo’s African Congo area earlier this month. There are only 38 out of 230 accredited Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facilities in the United State that exhibit these rare and elusive cats.

Amur leopards are from Asia and are one of the rarest felines in the world with only an estimated 45 individuals in the wild. The Kansas City Zoo is honored to become a part of its conservation efforts.

Her new digs in Africa feature logs for climbing and scratching, a sand area for digging and a hollowed log for resting.  She is adapted to cooler climates with thick fur that grows longer during the winter months. Her rosettes are more widely spaced than those on other leopards. She is a carnivore and her tongue is specially adapted with tiny hooks called “denticles” that are used to scrape meat off the bones of her prey.

The Kansas City Zoo, located in Swope Park, is operated in agreement with the Kansas City, Missouri Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners.

Two Ways to Celebrate the City of Fountains

On Sunday, June 9, Kansas City visitors and families will have a unique opportunity to learn about the fountains that make our city special.

The KC Festival of Fountains will take place at the Bloch Fountain in front of Union Station from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.  To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the City of Fountains Foundation has organized this first-ever event, designed to showcase local fountains and encourage contributions for several that need immediate repairs.

Preceding the Festival, hundreds of bicycle riders from all over the metropolitan area will participate in Ride the Fountains which, this year, begins and ends at Union Station. The ride includes 10, 24, and 46 mile routes to accommodate all levels of cyclists.  Be sure and register by April 24 to secure a pair of commemorative Ride the Fountains 2013 cycling socks. Following the ride, the Good Sam Club Band will hit the stage for an after bike ride party.

At 1:30 p.m., a marching band will herald a special ceremony that will include a brief history of the City of Fountains Foundation, introduction of guests and recognition of Festival sponsors and contributors. Plans for the day include trolley rides that will leave the Station every 20 minutes taking visitors on guided tours to many Kansas City fountains. Vendors will offer food and drink. Activities include a mini fountain model building with Legoland, the Zoomobile, photo booth, and a powerpoint show of Kansas City fountains. Children will enjoy a Fountains Activity Book designed by a local teacher especially for the occasion, as well as an entertainment stage featuring youth dance groups and local musicians.

With the help of many contributors and volunteers, The City of Fountains Foundation plans to introduce visitors at the KC Festival of Fountains to the beauty of our fountains and the need to assist KC Parks in their efforts to maintain them for all to enjoy.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Open Houses This Weekend

WHO
Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Community Centers (only certain locations) are hosting free open house events for the general public and members of the surrounding communities.

WHAT/WHERE/WHEN

Saturday, April 13, 2013 – All Community Centers (except Gregg/Klice Community Center, which is undergoing renovations)*

• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

*Line Creek Community Center – 5940 N.W. Waukomis Dr. KCMO 64151

• 2-4 p.m. – Free open skate!
• Check out an ice skating sport and recreation gem in Kansas City and a cool way to beat the heat this summer.

Sunday, April 14, 2013 – Southeast Community Center, Kansas City North Community Center, Tony Aguirre Community Center and Hillcrest Community Center

• Noon-6 p.m. 

Line Creek Community Center

• 12:20-2:20 p.m. – Free open skate!

WHY 

Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation community centers will showcase additional programming and extended hours, made possible by Kansas Citians passing a half-cent sales tax increase (without a sunset). The sales tax has also supported improved park and playground maintenance, and it reduced the City’s General Fund support, that had been previously dedicated to the Parks and Recreation Department, to redirect for an increased street maintenance budget.

 The tax passed in August 2012 and established stable funding for the Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Department. Six of the 10 community centers are now open seven days a week, whereas only two centers were before passage of the tax. Two additional centers will begin seven-day-a-week operations on May 1.

 Kansas Citians should attend the free events to learn about the amenities available to them. Explore the Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation community centers, and see what they have to offer you, your family and friends in year-round sports, recreation, events and social opportunities.