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Home History Roanoke Park History

A Short History of Roanoke Park

Created: 16 August 2010
Updated: 02 October 2015
Published: 16 August 2010
Written by Native
Hits: 6018
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1907 Sanborn Map of Roanoke residential district of Kansas City. Click for a blowup.1907 Sanborn Map of Roanoke residential district of Kansas City. Click for a blowup.The area of Roanoke Park was originally a largely undeveloped section of woods between the frontier towns of Kansas City to the north and Westport to the south. As the population increased throughout the 19th century, homes and businesses began to be developed in the area. The South Highlands Land and Improvement Company and other developers saw the value that preserving the wooded ravines of the area could have to adjacent real estate values. In (year), George E. Kessler was engaged by Kansas City's newly formed Board of Park Commissioners to design a Park and Boulevard System, including Roanoke Park. His work in Kansas City stands out as one of the early touch stones in the field of landscape architecture. The rolling terrain and wooded bluffs of Roanoke Park were particularly suited to Kessler's naturalistic style.

According to the park board report of 1907, "This property should be held as a bit of wilderness, which is now its charm, and which would be entirely lost if attempts were made to finely finish any part of this valley...In the old quarry west of Roanoke Ave. and north of 38th St., the very fine spring there should be developed; a pool and a modest water garden."

It's value to adjacent residents is recognized no less today, as an asset for social interaction, recreation, exercise and enjoyment of natural beauty.

From the 1920 "Souvenir" guide:
"The Park and Boulevard System of Kansas City, Missouri,
Revision and reprint of 1914 edition,

Board of Park Commissioners, 1920,

compiled and written by Fred Gabelman.
"
Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City, Missouri Public Library.

"PARK AND BOULEVARD SYSTEM HAS MADE KANSAS CITY FAMOUS. ... The principle, which was adopted by Mr. George E. Kessler, Landscape Architect for the Board of Park Commissioners ... was to follow nature as closely as possible, to adapt the planning to the natural conditions."

"KARNES BOULEVARD. This boulevard is a connecting link between Roanoke Park and Penn Valley Park and was named in honor of Mr. J. V. C. Karnes, a Park Commissioner."

"ROANOKE PARK. This park is a beautiful preservation of wooded ravines lines with rugged cliffs, in the western section of the City. It was entirely acquired by deeds of gift from the South Highlands Land and Improvement Comapny and others, who had caught the spirit of conserving nature's beauty before it became marred, and of the resulting enhancement in value of nearby property. "

Click here for a more detailed history of Roanoke Park.

The website for the Roanoke neighborhood has an excellent page telling about the cave that exists in Roanoke Park (now sealed off), and many other aspects of history relating to the park: http://www.roanokekc.org/RoanokeParkCaveMystery.html

See the historic photos gallery on this site for views of the park in its early days.

Detailed History of Roanoke Park

Created: 16 August 2010
Updated: 05 October 2015
Published: 16 August 2010
Written by Native
Hits: 9953
  • Print
  • Email

A most authoritative and detailed account of Roanoke Park's history, from the book
A Legacy of Design: An Historical Survey of the Kansas City, Missouri, Parks and Boulevards System, 1893-1940
Janice Lee, David Boutros, Charlotte R. White & Deon Wolfenbarger, 1995

Published by the Kansas City Design Center in cooperation with the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City
[ISBN 0-9648063-0-4 / hardcover / 296 pp., 410 photographs and maps]

 

History

Roanoke Park, looking south from near Thirty-sisth Street, 1921 (Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, Kansas City, MO)The Board of Park Commissioners acquired Roanoke Park during 1901 to 1923 in a series of seven gifts totallying 11 tracts of land. The Roanoke Park neighborhood was a prominent residential district containing a rugged strip of land that promised to be difficult to successfully develop. To prevent undesirable growth and protect property values, nearby landowners and developers donated land for the creation of Roanoke Park. The South Highland Land and Improvement Company donated the first and largest two tracts in 1901 and 1905.

 

Read more ...

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TRAIL INFO

Trail Maps, in various formats: 

Roanoke_Park_Trails.pdf (417 kb).

Roanoke Park Trees and Trails Google Map

"Roanoke Park Tour" on MTBProject.com

To avoid damaging trails, check Trail Status before biking or hiking off road. ("Rozarks" = Roanoke Park's 2.5 miles plus Rosedale's 3.5 miles.)

Contact the Westport-Roanoke Community Center to find out about their facilities or inquire about reserving spaces. 

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