Richard Allen joined the Kansas City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation Department in 1999 as a Landscape Architect I. Richard kept his career moving forward promoting from Landscape Architect I, to Landscape Architect II in 2003, in 2004 Senior Landscape Architect, in 2014 Senior Planner.

In 2018, Richard was promoted to the leadership position as Manager of Park Planning & Design Services and finally in 2022 to his current position as Deputy Director. As Deputy Director his team is responsible for the department’s finance, capital improvements, and SHAPE divisions. He led the development of the department’s $80 million Parks GO Bond five-year plan.

For many years Richard was the department’s PIAC Liaison working with City Councilmembers prioritizing and securing funding for park projects. During his tenure with the Parks and Recreation Department, Richard has worked on many recent high-profile projects, such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Park’s 15 and the Mahomies Playground and the Brush Creek Cultural Heritage Trail Project.

Other projects include North Troost Trail, Heart of America Golf two nine-hole courses, Indian Creek and Blue River Trails from Locust to Minor Park, San Rafael Park Improvements, Loose Park and Rose Garden renovation projects, James A Reed Park improvements, Tiffany Hill Park all-inclusive playground, Spring Valley Park Improvements, and the Brush Creek Confluence Trail.

October 31, 2024, will mark the last day of Richard’s career with the Parks and Recreation Department. Please join us in thanking Richard for his 25 years and 4 months of dedicated service and wishing him well in his future endeavors.

Friends, Family, and Colleagues are invited to a Farewell Gathering on October 31 at KC Parks Administration.