by Asia Jones
Between both states, the Kansas City parks and boulevard system includes more than 250 parks, thousands of acres of land, and 100+ miles of bike and walking trails that allow visitors to explore and experience the area’s natural beauty. One KCK trail urban hikers or bikers can explore is the Kaw Point Trail. It provides one of the best views of the city skyline. This trail is located at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. On it, you will find native flowers, a Lewis and Clark exhibit, and an exhibit celebrating all of the different native nations from the area.
Another favorite among urban hikers is the Riverfront Heritage Trail. This 15-mile trail is the only bi-state trail in Kansas City! On our River Market/West Bottoms Urban Hike, Crossroads/Westside Urban Hike, and Strawberry Hill Urban Hike, participants will walk parts of this paved trail. It is wheelchair-accessible and has pathways for bicycles and pedestrians as well as markers explaining more than a century’s worth of culture and community history.
These are just some ways to connect with local history and explore natural wonders. For more details about the trails in the Missouri and Kansas parks, please see this resource from the Mid-America Regional Council.
Preserving our Parks
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities to preserve our parks and protect our environment. These opportunities range from planting trees, cleaning trails, and removing invasive species.
The KC Parks Ambassadors are the official volunteer program of the KCMO parks and they provide rewarding opportunities for individuals and groups to engage in our parks. Volunteers assist in maintaining the parks, ensuring that the parks remain well-maintained and enjoyable for the community. They can also help with special projects and events to promote the park system.
If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity with the KCMO parks, you can visit their volunteer page and use the form at the bottom of the page to begin. You can also contact kelly.jander@kcmo.org or for more information.
Walking Through History
Our Hilly Historic Northeast urban hike provides an exciting way to explore our city’s fascinating history. Here is a glimpse at the history our urban hikers learn about during their trek.
Cliff Drive was designed by George Kessler in the late 1800s/early 1900s to wind through the wooded hills and along the limestone bluffs of North Terrace Park, which was renamed Kessler Park in 1971. Kessler Park is the city’s first planned park!
Stroll through our city’s oldest neighborhoods and get an up-close look at some of our most iconic landmarks! Sign up for our hikes here.
