Exploring and Celebrating One of KC’s Community Assets

Apr. 6, 2010  |  By: Sheri Gormley  |  Category: Economic Development
Tags: boulevards, community, explore

I consider myself an explorer. I love to explore new places, new people and new knowledge, which is probably why I find my position as the Research Director at KCADC so appealing. I am paid to explore and find new ways to market the Kansas City region. Much of my time is spent at my desk distilling the technical research to create a picture and narrative that makes KC a compelling choice for our clients. Last Saturday I found inspiration not by exploring data but by exploring one of our region’s many regional assets—the Kansas City Boulevard System.

Although it may have been unintentional, on the morning of March 27th 3,000+ runners celebrated our boulevard system by participating in Rock the Parkway ½ marathon, 10K and 5K, presented by Burns & McDonnell.

Over my 5 years+ tenure at KCADC, I’ve heard the phrase, “KC has more boulevards than Paris” many times, but the rich history of the boulevard system as part of the City Beautiful Movement is not as well known. The City Beautiful Movement was a national beautification movement to guide and coordinate growth, combat overcrowding and reduce industrial pollution in urban areas. By 1920, Kansas City’s original plan of interlocking system of parks and boulevards designed and guided by landscape architect, George Kessler was completed and served as a model for cities around the country.

• Currently, the Park and Boulevard system is comprised of over 10,000 acres of park property and 140 miles of boulevards
• 1974—Kansas City Park and Boulevard System was selected by the American Society of Civic Engineers as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
• Our new home, Union Station, is KC’s most prominent architectural contribution to the City Beautiful movement

I would like to thank my informal running group of friends for helping me rediscover one of our region’s gems. During our 13.1 mile run last weekend along Ward Parkway and our many training runs along Cliff Drive, The Paseo and Brookside Boulevard, we were exploring, reconnecting and celebrating part of Kansas City’s rich history and the beauty of George Kessler’s vision for Kansas City nearly a century earlier.

Kansas City’s progressive, bold plan in the 1920s is still a great community asset to market as part of the Kansas City region’s great quality of life. I hope the region continues to make bold, progressive choices for the next generation of Kansas Citians to enjoy.

While I was attempting not to pass out while running the last mile in the pouring rain (and hail), it was hard to take in the beauty right in front of me, so I plan to enjoy a run along Ward Parkway again very soon. On the next sunny spring day, I challenge you to explore Kansas City’s boulevard system or one of the many other community assets the region offers.

Cheers,
Sheri