KC Parks News

From the Director: KC Parks Highlights from 2012

When I think about this past year, the first words that come to mind are “thank you”.

Thank you for your confidence and commitment to KC Parks and Kansas City as evidenced by the 63% approval of Question #1 last August. The funds that Parks and Recreation receives from this sales tax enables our department to proactively plan for the future and enhance our services and amenities as to better serve our residents.

Thank you to our Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, both past and present, who united for the campaign to successfully promote the passage of Question #1.  I am also thankful for quality employees who deliver on promises.  Their top-notch service, strong work ethic and past performance, enabled our citizens to confidently vote “yes”.

Read on…

Organizations Can Now Apply for NTDF Reimbursable Grants

The City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund is now accepting applications from organizations seeking first-quarter reimbursable grants. The deadline is Wednesday, May 1 at 5 p.m.

To qualify for an NTDF grant, an organization must host cultural, social, ethnic, historic, educational or recreational activities between June 1, 2013 and April 30, 2014. In addition, interested organizations must:

• be a non-profit incorporated in the State of Missouri;
• have its registered office in the city limits of Kansas City, Missouri.;
• have neighborhood, community, tourism, promotion and development priorities as part of its mission;
• meet the City’s requirements for contracting with non-municipal agencies; and
• thoroughly demonstrate that it meets the program’s eligibility requirements.

Read on…

Envision Survey

The Mayor’s Task Force for the Arts/Envision ACKC would like as much input as possible from as many metro area voices as possible.  Please, if you haven’t already, complete this survey and lend your thoughts to this important conversation. Deadline is March 23, 2013.

Please take 4-8 minutes and help determine the future of arts & culture in Kansas City!

CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY

Parks Spotlight: Red Bridge Love Locks

Lock your love on the old Red Bridge in Minor Park! The placing of love locks is a custom whereby couples affix a padlock to a bridge, fence, gate or similar fixture, so pronouncing their unbreakable and everlasting love.  Love locks are an international phenomenon that has reached Kansas City.

Locks began appearing on the old Red Bridge the week before Valentine’s Day and have already resulted in at least one proposal.  Congratulations to Jason and Brandie on your engagement!  Love locks can be placed on the bridge anytime of the year and are a great way to commemorate an anniversary, engagement or wedding.

Read on…

BRW Presents an Original Exhibit for Black History Month

Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Parkway, presents an exciting original exhibition for Black History Month entitled The Power of An Image: Positive African American Images in U.S. Media from the 1940s to 1980s.

This interactive exhibition allows visitors, young and old, to take a journey and explore many compelling and persuasive visual images. Influential and rare issues of magazines, such as LIFE, TIME, Newsweek, Essence and EBONY are displayed throughout the exhibition. In addition television clips, and ethnic children’s toys are exhibited.

Read on…

Nikita and Berlin On Exhibit Together at the Zoo

The Kansas City Zoo’s two big white polar bears have met nose-to-nose, eye-to-eye and paw-to-paw. Nikita and Berlin are now exhibiting together in Polar Bear Passage, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. daily, under the close watch of zoo keepers, veterinarians and other professionally-trained staff.

“HOWDY”sessions between the two polar bears were remarkably calm and uneventful and, on February 6, the division between the bears was removed.

As the two bears physically checked out each other, zoo keepers and veterinarians were close by keeping a watchful eye. All interactions were as expected—sniffing, huffing, grunting, and a bit of “polar bear dancing”. Berlin’s laid-back personality combined with young Nikita’s teenage attitude created a good balance.  Read on…