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Mark McHenry‘s

Retirement

Director Mark McHenry announced in mid-September that he would retire at the end of 2018
following 44 years and seven months of service with Kansas City Parks and Recreation, the last 15
as director. He was only the seventh director to lead the department since its establishment in 1892.

Highlights of Mark’s career include adding 34 parks and 1000 acres of park land, building six
community centers, doubling the size of the Kansas City Zoo, helping create the current National
World War I Museum and Memorial, revitalizing Starlight Theatre, and overseeing the renovation
of the Kansas City Museum.
Mark was also key in establishing The Springs Aquatics Center, The Bay Water Park, Shoal Creek
Golf Course and the Tom Watson Golf Academy at the Heart of America Golf Course.
Mark worked to identify funds and navigate the challenges to develop, design and build Swope
Soccer Village in partnership with Sporting Kansas City. Using a similar model, he helped
establish the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy at Parade Park in partnership with the Kansas
City Royals and Major League Baseball.
Under Mark’s guidance Kansas City has been recognized by national and international
organizations. In 2012, Ward Parkway was designated as one of 10 Great Streets by the
American Planning Association. In 2016, “The Kansas
City Parks and Boulevards Historic District” was
officially listed in the National Register of Historic
Places for its significance in Community Planning
and Development and Landscape Architecture.
In 2018, the Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose
Garden received the Award of Garden Excellence
from the World Federation of Rose Societies.

Mark led the effort in 2012 to gain citizen support
of a one-half cent dedicated sales tax for Parks
and Recreation with no sunset. The tax provides a
consistent, guaranteed, long-term source of revenue
and helps ensure that the department remains
accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of
Park and Recreation Agencies.

Mark’s impact on Kansas City will last much longer
than the 44+ years he spent at KC Parks. His legacy
is honored and will live on with the renaming of
Tiffany Springs Park to Mark L. McHenry Park.

Mark’s grandkids Malcolm and Edythe are excited to
have a park named after their Papa.

6 KC PARK & REC 2018 year in review