At 1,805-acres, Swope Park is the crown jewel of the Kansas City, Missouri park system. As Kansas City's largest park, and one of the largest urban parks in the United States, Swope Park is home to many of Kansas City’s finest attractions.
History
Thomas Hunton Swope was born in Kentucky in 1827. After living in several states, he eventually made his way to Missouri when he moved to St. Louis where he began working in real estate. He came to live in Kansas City in 1857 after purchasing some property here and later became the largest individual land owner in Kansas City. Mr. Swope was called "Colonel" Swope, but the title was honorary and not from military service.
In 1896, Colonel Swope donated 1,334 acres to the City of Kansas City, Missouri for use as a public park. With property acquisitions made over the years, the park now has 1,805 acres. It is Kansas City’s largest park and one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
Amenities
Kansas City Zoo, Lakeside Nature Center, Swope Memorial and Heart of America Golf Courses, Kansas City Wizards training facility, Southeast Community Center, Starlight Theatre, Battle of Westport Museum, Camp Lake of the Woods, Kansas City Community Gardens and Beanstalk Chidren's Garden, disc golf course, KC Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden, Swope Pool, 2-mile Fox Hollow exercise trail, 1.37-mile bike trail, 3.35-miles of mountain bike trails, two (2) tennis courts, three (3) playgrounds, ten (10) shelter houses-8 reservable, numerous picnic areas, six (6) ball diamonds-three (3) lighted, cricket fields, and four (4) soccer fields
Ornamental Structures
Alfred Benjamin Memorial, American Legion Memorial II, Loose Memorial Flagpole,
Thomas H. Swope Memorial and Fountain
After Thomas Swope's death in 1909, his body was kept in a holding vault until a memorial was built in Swope Park. A site was chosen on a hill overlooking the lagoon and the entire park. He was laid to rest at the memorial in 1918. The memorial appears to be based on a design drawn by George Kessler in 1915. The lions and decorative bronze were done by Charles Keck, the former president of the National Sculpture Society. The fountain and balustrade were completed in 1922-23, designed by the Wight and Wight architectural firm. The fountain is one of two solar-powered fountains that are operated by the City.
The Kansas City Zoo houses the Mary A. Fraser Memorial Drinking Fountain, Harry Evans Monty Memorial Fountain, Albert Elwood Shirling Sanctuary, "Bonfire and Merifian" sculpture, "Rock & Steel" sculpture, "Fishing Rock" sculpture, and "Strange Strange Sam" sculpture.
Starlight Theatre is home to the Shirley Bush Helzberg Fountain and Jack and Martha Steadman Fountain.
Ken Ferguson sculptures, "Rabbit Hiding from Fox", "The Race Is Not Always Swift", and "Two Doves Sitting on a Branch Up High" are displayed at Lakeside Nature Center.Intersection
Meyer Boulevard and Swope Parkway
Brochure and map of Swope Park
Play all day at the annual Party in the Park! Held each July in celebration of National Parks and Recreation Month, Party in the Park provides free or low-cost, family-friendly activities at Swope Park attractions all day long!
Caution: Feeding Waterfowl may be Harmful!
Regular feeding can cause dependency on people for food, conflicts with people and spread of disease. .
For more information about Swope Park, please call (816) 513-7500.
To reserve a shelter please call: (816) 513-8931.
