KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Big changes are coming to Swope Park, located at Swope Parkway and East Meyer Boulevard.

Improvements include a new neighborhood connector trail, a 10,000 square foot destination playground, renovations to five shelters, a bandstand, and pedestrian and bicycle interventions along access roads.

The more than 1,800-acre park is named in honor of Colonel Thomas H. Swopea philanthropist who donated the land to the city in 1896. Most of the park is underutilized and its main destinations are Theater of the stars, Swope Football VillageTHE Kansas City ZooAnd Swote Memorial Golf Course. THE Lakeside Nature Center also lives in Swope Park.

Mayor Lucas will release more details about the $4.25 million federal grant received from the National Park Service on November 1.

The grant is made possible through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP), which dedicates millions of dollars to locally-led projects to create new urban parks or rehabilitate existing outdoor spaces.

ALSO READ: Flooding and drought leave KC-area waterfowl hunters with limited options

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.