Kansas City’s parks are home to some truly amazing art pieces.
Gezer Park-Leawood
This park celebrates Leawood’s sister city relationship with the Gezer region of Israel. A playful stream leads to the lake, which contains a gravity-defying ladder sculpture called Stones and Steps. Nearby, you’ll find a limestone replica of the Harvest Tablet (the original tablet was excavated 3,000 years ago in Tel Gezer, Israel!) Other notable features include a garden, playground and walking trail.
Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park-Kansas City, Mo
Located outside the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, this breathtaking park features a variety of sculptures. As you stroll across the lawn, you’ll pass the iconic shuttlecocks, bronze human forms, innovative abstract art, a glass labyrinth and more. If you’d like to make your trip extra special, reserve a ticket for the art-themed miniature golf course.
E.H. Young Riverfront Park-Riverside
This location is part of the Line Creek Trail’s Monarch Migration Art Walk. As you walk the path, you will encounter eight sculptures that celebrate a monarch’s journey from Minnesota to Mexico. E.H. Young Riverfront Park features one such sculpture, known as Riverside Rest Stop. The park’s other art pieces include a dog statue by the dog park and a large fish sculpture by the river.
Shawnee Mission Park-Shawnee
Visitors of all ages will love this park’s Art Nine disc golf course. Designed with beginner disc golfers in mind, this course includes 10 sculptures by local artists. The nature-themed designs portray everything from colorful flowers to a prehistoric fish. My favorite is the Paper Wasp Putting Game, which doubles as a fun activity for all skill levels.
Shiela Kemper Dietrich Park-Kansas City, Mo
Artistry and playfulness intertwine at this pirate-themed playground. The main play structure takes the form of a swashbuckling pirate ship. Watch out for the giant sea serpent statue that lurks by the ship! While parents soak in the park’s artistic whimsy, kids will enjoy the slides, teeter-totters and climbing rocks. This park is accessible to people of all abilities.