Page 93 - KCMO Parks Master Plan 2032

Pillar 3: Conservation

To protect green space, connect people to nature, and engage residents in conservation practices

Objective 3.1: Engage residents in conservation practices and activities that connect people to nature
Strategy 3.1a: Expand the Ambassador program and Conservation program to provide training in improvements
related to environmental such as turf conversion, tree stewardship, and green infrastructure installations
Strategy 3.1b: Program tours of parks for K-12 field trips/science curricula and community groups to highlight
natural resources with partners from organizations like the Missouri Department of Conservation

Objective 3.2: Maintain existing parks and natural areas to maximize public benefits and reduce or eliminate
negative environmental impacts
Strategy 3.2a: Increase trash, litter, and illegal dumping collection efficiencies
Strategy 3.2b: Manage invasive plant species in all of the parks that have recent conservation plans in place
Strategy 3.2c: Reduce fossil fuel use by purchasing fuel efficient vehicle and equipment replacements at end of
lifespans and maximize fuel efficiency of existing equipment through maintenance

Objective 3.3: Maintain and grow the city’s tree canopy and natural areas through sound management
practices and implementation of the City’s Administrative Regulation 5-7
Strategy 3.3a: Plant more trees and increase maintenance of existing trees
Strategy 3.3b: Convert unused lawn areas, especially steep slopes where mowing causes unnecessary risk to
staff, to native plantings and provide for maintenance of them
Strategy 3.3c: Develop a minimum of 1 new conservation easement annually on park property to create
designated nature preserves
Strategy 3.3d: Identify and develop time lines to acquire places of significant beauty and natural resource quality
to establish medium to small sized parks within areas of the City outside of the 1 mile service radius from KC Parks
or neighboring municipality/county/state parks

Strategy 3.3e: Include a community engagement strategy for all parkland acquisitions which includes
communication with local neighborhood residents to the extent that they occur as needed to meet other
objectives

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