South Meadow Concept: A big slide into sand, play boulders and seating, and a path behind the tennis courts along a pollinator planting.

South Meadow Concept Submitted to PIAC

Since it was founded the Roanoke Park Conservancy has worked with the parks department to seek PIAC funding for improvements throughout the park with great success. These requests have aligned with the 2011 Master Plan, and benefited from the strong support of nearby neighborhoods. The focus of the past few years has been improving the "south meadow," the lobe of the park southwest of the community center. These improvements include: renewing the tennis courts, new sidewalks, additional lighting, and entry pillars and signage.

The Roanoke Park Conservancy’s 2020 PIAC request was for further improvements to the South Meadow.

We hope to add amenities to the tennis court / playground area including: a path around the back side of the tennis courts to view the cliffs and a planned pollinator planting; and a sand play area south of the tennis courts with a naturalistic play set and a big slide coming down from the sidewalk.

Because of the unique natural setting (bluffs, caves, and springs) we feel this provides a unique and inclusive play opportunity for all ages and abilities, especially younger children in Kansas City’s urban core. More fun, and more ways to enjoy Roanoke Park. 

Click the images below to view pdf documents of the 2020 request. 

Roanoke Park: One of KCMO Parks’ “Twelve Trails for the Holidays”

CLICK TO WATCH: Roanoke Park 12 Trails for the Holidays

Thanks to Kansas City Missouri Parks & Recreation for featuring Roanoke Park in their Twelve Trail for the Holidays!

KC Parks included Roanoke Park trails in their 2020 series "Twelve Trails for the Holidays." Click our thumbnail image watch the brief video highlighting the wonderful trails in our urban park.

“ #TwelveTrailsForTheHolidays Roanoke Park Trail is an urban 2.5 mile single track dirt trail through the hills of Midtown Kansas City.. ”

Check out the other 11 trails they featured at this link: https://kcparks.org/twelve-trails-for-the-holidays/

Great job Lance and Rachel! And thanks to the trail builders! “The Rozarks” include Roanoke Park’s 2.5 miles and Rosedale Park’s 3.5. Both were designed by Brett Shoffner and are currently maintained by Scott Lillis and other Urban Trail Co. volunteers. 

To avoid damaging trails, remember to check Urban Trail Co's Protect the Trails page before hiking or biking off road. “Rozarks” is almost always open, thanks to our rocky soil and steep slopes.

See you on the TRAILS!

In memory of Judy Widener, founder of Dance in the Park

Judy Widener memorial tree. Click for a gallery of images.

A native serviceberry memorial tree was planted in the spring of 2018 by the parks department within view of the current location of Dance in the Park. Enjoy the blooms it has in spring and its elegance in all seasons, and give thanks for neighbors who add beauty and life to the park. A multi-trunked serviceberry was chosen for it's delicate features. Can a tree dance?

(2018's drought conditions haven't been kind to this new tree but we believe it will bounce back.)

Here's a memorial page from Bridging the Gap with more information about Judy.