Fortopia

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Photos courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Fortopia, a playful outdoor exhibition comprised of awe-inspiring forts, invites explorers of all ages to discover Powell Gardens. This vibrant addition to summer in Kansas City encourages outdoor discovery and taps into the nostalgia of childhood fort building.  

After opening a public request for proposals in 2021, a jury comprised of educators, architects, horticulturalists, and fabricators selected eight fort designs for inclusion in the exhibition. Designed to inspire an appreciation of the natural landscape, Powell Gardens is excited for visitors to experience its beauty through the variety of creative perspectives represented in the chosen forts. This year’s fort designers include a team of preschool children, artists, landscape designers, architects, and more. 

Fortopia opens May 26 and runs through October 16. Visit the Gardens many times to experience the forts in a different light throughout the changing seasons! Nestled on the East Lawn, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the Gardens in a new and playful way.