WHO City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Heartland Tree Alliance WHAT Heartland Tree Alliance, a program of environmental nonprofit Bridging The Gap, and Kansas City Missouri Parks and Recreation will plant 60 trees at the National World War I Museum and Memorial to honor the sacrifices made by America’s military personnel and their families […]
On November 7, KC Parks Director Mark L. McHenry received the Heart of Kansas City Individual Achievement Award from the Greater Kansas City Attractions Association. McHenry, who will be retiring at the end of 2018, was honored for going the extra mile to further the goals, objectives and spirit of the tourism and hospitality industry […]
On October 19, KC Parks Director Mark L. McHenry received the Southtown Foundation Award for Leadership at the 32nd Annual Southtown Awards Luncheon. McHenry, who will be retiring at the end of 2018, was honored for his 44+ years of service to Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation and for the significant role he has played […]
The City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation and Public Health Department have teamed up to offer free annual community center passes, a $250 value, to KCMO residents from zip codes 64126, 64127, 64128, 64129, 64130, OR 64132. To receive one of 50 remaining passes, residents are asked to participate in “Life X,” the […]
The namesake of Jerry Smith Park in South KC, a successful Kansas City automotive dealer and philanthropist, also owned a world-class toy collection that included planes, trains, and automobiles. The collection, Going Places, is currently displayed at The National Museum of Toys/Miniatures. About The Park Jerry Smith Park provides a southern anchor for Kansas City, MO’s park and boulevard […]
An enthusiastic crowd gathered in the rain to officially open the Brush Creek Confluence Trail and pedestrian bridge in Blue Banks Park on October 12. The 10′ wide concrete connector trail runs along Brush Creek between Cleaver II Blvd. and Colorado St. at the Blue River and enables residents to walk or ride from The Country […]
Kansas City’s largest urban orchard located in Kansas City’s largest park officially opened on September 28 with a ribbon cutting ceremony among the fruit trees. KC Parks Deputy Director Terry Rynard welcomed the crowd and introduced the featured speakers/stakeholders that included 5th District City Councilwoman Alissia Canady, 5th District City Councilman Lee Barnes Jr., Darrian Davis […]
Mayor Sly James announced today that Mary Jane Judy will be the new president of the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners. Judy has served on the Board as a commissioner since 2013 and will become the fourth female president in its 126-year history. “I’ve been fortunate to work with a dynamic board and incredible staff […]
Terry Rynard grew up walking to Chouteau Elementary through a Kansas City park called Buckeye Greenway every day. It was a dream for a young kid with too much curiosity, energy and house key on a piece of yarn around her neck. She was fortunate to have Parks and Recreation leaders stay after school a […]
First fifteen years, Learning the Ropes I came to Kansas City, Missouri in the spring of 1974 and started my career as a Municipal Management Trainee in the Parks and Recreation Department. I was hired by Jerry Darter, Park Superintendent and Frank Vaydik was the Director. I worked as a crew leader mowing grass, cleaning […]
KC Parks Director Mark McHenry is calling it a career after 44 years with the City of Kansas City, Missouri’s Parks and Recreation Department. McHenry will retire at the end of 2018, and Deputy Director Terry Rynard will become director on January 1, 2019. Highlights of McHenry’s career include adding 34 parks, building six more […]
KC Parks and the City of Fountains Foundation are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the end of the war by placing temporary markers at many of the local monuments and memorials dedicated to the fallen and veterans of the “war to end all wars”. On September 12 at 11 a.m., officials will gather to place the […]