Traces of Rev. Dr. King’s impact can be seen across Kansas City! From city parks to streets, Kansas City pays homage to his work, fostering unity and confronting racial inequality.
One of his earliest visits to Kansas City happened in April of 1957. He visited St. Stephen Baptist Church in downtown KCMO following the successful Montgomery bus boycott, a nonviolent protest held between December 5, 1955 and December 20, 1956.
Later, he would make more than five visits to Kansas City to share his messages supporting workers’ rights, access to fair housing, and the end of racial segregation and discrimination, emphasizing nonviolent protest as a tool for social change and civil rights.
Dr. King’s words resonated throughout Kansas City and we have celebrated his work with our landmarks that pay homage to his character with streets, statues, and other notable locations.
Photo credit: Metro Voice News
Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
Photo credit: KC Parks and Recreation
Martin Luther King Jr. Square, formerly known as “Brush Creek Park,” was dedicated on April 4, 1978. Initially proposed by Emanuel Cleaver in 1976, the name change gained approval in February 1978. Recently, on August 28, 2021, the 15 and the Mahomies Playground was officially unveiled, creating a place aptly named “A Place Fit for a King.”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (KCMO)
Photo credit: The Kansas City Star
As of April 13, 2021, the Kansas City Parks Board renamed Blue Parkway, Swope Parkway, and Volker Boulevard into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. There’s a seamless connection between South Plaza and the Brush Creek Community Center along this nearly 5-mile corridor. Take this route to explore the rich heritage along Troost Avenue, The Paseo, and Prospect Avenue.
Photo by 25or6to4, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
If you’ve driven on Washington Street in KCK lately, you may have been surprised to learn that in 2023 part of U.S. 24 was given an honorary designation as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial highway. The section runs from the west end of the intercity viaduct to the intersection of Waterway Drive and State Avenue and the city of Kansas City, KS will place markers along the highway’s rights-of-way at appropriate intervals to indicate that it is the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial highway. Source
Kansas State University
Photo credit: K-State Today Archives
One of Dr. King’s last visits to Kansas was when he stopped by Kansas State University to deliver a message opposing U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Over three decades later, a bust of Dr. King was unveiled outside Ahearn Fieldhouse to honor the fallen hero. Also notable was 17th Street becoming Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Drive in 2021. This street passes by Ahearn Field House.
Kansas City pays homage to Martin Luther King, Jr. through various landmarks and tributes that serve as a reminder of the impact he made. To keep the same spirit of service to the community that Rev. King, Jr. so openly embodied, we’ve suggested some volunteer opportunities that you can benefit from year-round and make a positive impact in KCK and KCMO.