Plans for $4.25 million Swope Park improvements revealed to south Kansas City

By Kathy Feist

There was an air of excitement if not joy at the Swope Park Improvements open house held Feb. 24 at the Southeast Community Center. 

Interested citizens got to view plans for a 10,000-square-foot destination playground, new neighborhood connection trails, bike lanes and calming measures along Mall Drive, and renovations for the bandstand and shelters. 

The improvements are possible through a $4.25 million federal grant from the National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership. The area consists of the northwest section of Swope Parkway and 63rd Street.

Perhaps generating the most interest was the playground choices and the bike lanes. 

The new playground will replace a smaller one at one of two locations. A wildlife design included a giant wooden bird structure with wings in flight for children to climb on as well as themed spinners, swings and slides. A second concept had a spaceship theme featuring a giant rocket structure. A third choice was a cultural theme, with a large multi-colored done over an intricate ropes course and other similar themed structures. 

Bike lanes and traffic measures were presented for both 40- and 50-foot lanes. Choices for bike lanes were 1) outside of vehicle parking, 2) shared with motorists, and 3) physically separated from motor and pedestrian traffic. The latter garnered the most votes from participants.

The neighborhood connection trail will include 10-foot wide concrete pathways that circle the upper west section of Swope Park and follow Mall Drive. The trails are useful for pedestrians, bicycles and scooters. 

Participant Penny Popoola said she was excited for the improvements.

“Where we live, there are few choices available to take the children,” she said. Popoola lives around Gregory and Interstate 435. 

Readers can review the plans at surveymonkey.com/r/swopepark.