The Park
At 1,805-acres, Swope Park is the crown jewel of the KC Parks system. As Kansas City’s largest park, and one of the largest municipal parks in the United States, Swope Park is home to many of Kansas City’s finest attractions and annually hosts more than 2 million visitors.
Hiking trails wind through woodlands and grassy meadows encompassing soccer fields, golf courses, community gardens, fountains and a treetop adventure park. Within the park is Starlight Theatre, an outdoor amphitheater featuring musicals and concerts, and the Kansas City Zoo with more than 1,000 animals from around the globe. The Lakeside Nature Center, Missouri’s largest native species rehabilitation center, is also located in Swope Park. The park annually hosts the Ethnic Enrichment Festival which takes place the third weekend of August.
History
Thomas Hunton Swope was born in Kentucky in 1827. After living in several states, he moved to St. Louis where he worked in real estate. He came to Kansas City in 1857 after purchasing some property here and later became the largest individual land owner in Kansas City. Mr. Swope was called “Colonel” Swope, but the title was honorary and not from military service. In 1896, Colonel Swope donated 1,334 acres to the City of Kansas City, Mo. for use as a public park. With property acquisitions made over the years, the park now has 1,805 acres. Thomas Swope is buried under the floor of the Thomas H. Swope Memorial near the Swope Memorial Golf Course.
