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Forest park trail in North Kansas City
Serving the Northland Since 1987

Investing in Greenspace, Wellness & Community for Generations

The North Kansas City Parks and Recreation Foundation champions equitable access to outdoor recreation, stewards public lands, and mobilizes philanthropic support for parks that enrich every neighborhood.

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2,400+
Acres Stewarded
48
Park Sites
120K
Annual Visitors
$8.2M
Raised for Parks
Community gathering in a public park
37+Years of Community Service
Who We Are

A Foundation Built for the Northland

We partner with municipalities, civic leaders, and residents to expand, maintain, and activate parks and recreation assets across North Kansas City and the greater Clay County region.

As an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization, we bridge public funding gaps and accelerate capital projects that transform underutilized land into vibrant community destinations.

From trail connectivity and playground renewal to inclusive programming and environmental restoration, our work ensures every resident can experience the physical, social, and mental health benefits of quality outdoor spaces.

Our Mission
Purpose & Direction

Mission, Vision & Core Values

Our Mission

To secure philanthropic resources and strategic partnerships that enhance parks, trails, and recreation programs—creating healthier, more connected communities throughout the Northland.

Our Vision

A region where every resident lives within a ten-minute walk of a safe, beautiful, and fully activated park—regardless of zip code, income, or ability.

Our Values

Stewardship, equity, collaboration, transparency, and innovation guide every grant, campaign, and community engagement initiative we undertake.

Community Impact

Measurable Outcomes Across the Region

Environmental Stewardship

Restored 340 acres of native prairie and riparian habitat while reducing urban heat island effects through strategic tree canopy expansion.

Active Living Access

Installed 28 miles of multi-use trails connecting schools, transit hubs, and residential neighborhoods for safe daily recreation.

Family Engagement

Delivered 14,000 youth program enrollments annually, with scholarship support ensuring no child is turned away for financial reasons.

Inclusive Design

Retrofitted 22 playgrounds and 6 recreation centers to exceed ADA standards, including sensory-friendly equipment and universal access routes.

$8.2M
Capital Raised
156
Projects Completed
3,200
Active Volunteers
92%
Funds to Programs
Our Landscapes

Parks & Recreation Portfolio

Explore the diverse network of public spaces we support—from neighborhood pocket parks to regional destination amenities.

Neighborhood playground
Playground

Macken Park East

Renovated play structures, shaded picnic pavilions, and a splash pad serving 4,200 families annually.

Open meadow park
Open Space

Armourdale Green

12-acre meadow with native wildflowers, dog-friendly zones, and community garden plots.

Urban park pathway
Urban Oasis

Westside Commons

Downtown-adjacent pocket park with art installations, chess tables, and evening lighting programs.

Lake and waterfront park
Waterfront

Missouri River Overlook

Scenic bluff trails, fishing access, and interpretive signage celebrating Northland river heritage.

Forest hiking trail
Trail System

Clay County Greenway

18-mile regional trail corridor linking five municipalities with bike commuter infrastructure.

Large community park
Destination

Northland Recreation Campus

85-acre master-planned site with sports fields, amphitheater, and nature education center.

Swimming pool aquatic center
Aquatic

NKC Aquatic Center

Olympic-length pool, zero-depth entry, and adaptive swim programming for all abilities.

Community garden
Garden

Harvest Hill Gardens

64 raised-bed plots, composting education, and farm-to-table youth culinary workshops.

Nature preserve wetlands
Preserve

Wetlands Preserve

Protected 45-acre habitat with boardwalks, bird blinds, and citizen science monitoring.

Stewardship

Park Asset Management

Our foundation coordinates capital planning, maintenance endowments, and ecological monitoring across the full parks portfolio.

Master Planning

Five-year capital improvement plans aligned with community input and demographic growth projections.

Maintenance Endowments

Permanent funds ensuring long-term care of newly constructed amenities beyond initial build budgets.

Usage Analytics

Data-driven assessments of park utilization to prioritize investments in underserved corridors.

Cyclists on a paved trail
Connectivity

Trails & Greenway Network

Our trail expansion initiative creates safe, scenic corridors for pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users—linking parks, schools, and employment centers across the Northland.

  • 28 miles of paved multi-use trails completed since 2019
  • 6 pedestrian bridges over highway and rail barriers
  • Wayfinding signage and mile-marker systems at every junction
  • Winter maintenance protocols for year-round accessibility
Aquatic Recreation

Aquatic Centers & Water Safety

We fund pool renovations, lifeguard training scholarships, and learn-to-swim programs that reduce drowning risk and promote lifelong aquatic fitness.

  • Three public aquatic facilities supported through capital grants
  • 2,400 children enrolled in free water safety courses annually
  • Adaptive aquatics programming for mobility-impaired participants
Community swimming pool
Sports fields and athletics
Athletics

Sports Complexes & Fields

From soccer and baseball diamonds to tennis courts and pickleball facilities, we invest in versatile athletic infrastructure that serves leagues, schools, and casual players alike.

  • LED lighting upgrades at 8 field complexes for extended evening play
  • Synthetic turf installations reducing water consumption by 40%
  • All-gender locker room renovations at three recreation centers
Urban Agriculture

Community Gardens & Food Access

Garden programs transform vacant lots into productive green spaces, teaching nutrition, sustainability, and neighborhood pride while addressing food insecurity.

  • 12 community garden sites with subsidized plot fees
  • Master gardener mentorship for first-time growers
  • Produce donation partnerships with local food banks
Community vegetable garden
Nature preserve forest
Conservation

Nature Preserves & Habitat

Protected natural areas provide wildlife corridors, environmental education, and quiet refuge—balanced with responsible public access through boardwalks and guided tours.

  • 340 acres under active habitat restoration management
  • Native pollinator meadow seeding across 45 acres
  • Partnership with Missouri Department of Conservation
Programming

Recreation Programs for Every Age

Inclusive, affordable programming that builds skills, friendships, and healthy habits across the lifespan.

Children playing outdoors
Youth Development

Youth Programs & Summer Camps

Day camps, sports leagues, arts workshops, and STEM-in-nature curricula keep young people active, engaged, and connected during school breaks and after-school hours.

  • 12-week summer day camp at four park locations
  • After-school enrichment hubs within walking distance of schools
  • Full scholarships available based on household income
Wellness

Adult Fitness & Wellness

Group fitness classes, running clubs, yoga in the park, and wellness challenges support active aging and stress reduction for working adults and parents.

  • 180 free fitness class sessions offered each season
  • Corporate wellness partnership discounts for Northland employers
  • Certified instructors in yoga, HIIT, and tai chi
Outdoor fitness group exercise
Seniors enjoying community activities
Silver Access

Senior Activities & Social Connection

Low-impact fitness, nature walks, social clubs, and intergenerational mentoring combat isolation and promote mobility for residents aged 55 and older.

  • Silver Sneakers-compatible programming at six sites
  • Transportation assistance to off-site cultural outings
  • Monthly senior social luncheons in park pavilions
Accessibility

Adaptive Recreation

Specialized equipment, trained staff, and modified activities ensure individuals with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities experience the joy of outdoor recreation.

  • All-abilities playground equipment at 22 locations
  • Hand-cycle and adaptive kayak fleet available for checkout
  • Unified sports leagues partnering with Special Olympics Missouri
Inclusive recreation activities
Infrastructure

Recreation Center Facilities

Fitness Centers

Modern cardio and strength equipment, group studios, and personal training scholarships at three Northland recreation centers.

Arts & Culture Studios

Pottery kilns, digital media labs, and performance spaces hosting community theater and youth arts showcases.

Community Rooms

Reservable meeting spaces for nonprofits, neighborhood associations, and civic engagement forums at no cost.

Leadership

Board & Executive Team

Governed by community leaders committed to fiscal responsibility and mission-driven impact.

Board chair portrait

Dr. Margaret Chen

Board Chair

Healthcare executive with 20 years of community health advocacy experience.

Vice chair portrait

James Whitfield

Vice Chair

Retired parks director and certified landscape architect.

Treasurer portrait

Sandra Okonkwo

Treasurer

CPA specializing in nonprofit financial management and endowment strategy.

Secretary portrait

Elena Vasquez

Secretary

Environmental attorney and open-space preservation advocate.

Accountability

Governance & Oversight

Our 15-member volunteer board represents diverse sectors including business, education, healthcare, and resident advocacy. Directors serve three-year staggered terms with annual performance evaluations and mandatory conflict-of-interest disclosures.
We maintain comprehensive policies covering gift acceptance, investment management, whistleblower protection, document retention, and anti-discrimination. All policies are reviewed biennially by the governance committee and available upon request.
Annual audited financial statements, IRS Form 990 filings, and programmatic expense ratios are published each spring. Over 92% of every dollar raised directly supports parks, programs, and capital projects.
Heritage

Our History

1987

Foundation Established

Community leaders incorporate the foundation to supplement municipal parks funding during rapid Northland growth.

1998

First Capital Campaign

$1.2 million raised to build the original Northland Recreation Campus master plan.

2010

Greenway Initiative Launch

Regional trail connectivity program connects five cities with 12 initial trail miles.

2019

Equity Framework Adopted

Board commits to park equity metrics ensuring investments prioritize underserved neighborhoods.

2024

$8 Million Milestone

Cumulative philanthropic investment surpasses eight million dollars across 156 completed projects.

Get Involved

Ways to Support Our Mission

Philanthropic Giving

One-time and recurring gifts, memorial tributes, and planned giving options that create lasting legacies.

Corporate Partnership

Sponsorship packages for events, naming opportunities, and employee volunteer days.

Volunteer Service

Trail maintenance crews, event support, and skilled pro-bono professional services.

Volunteer

Join Our Volunteer Corps

More than 3,200 volunteers contribute 28,000 hours annually—planting trees, building trails, mentoring youth, and staffing community events.

  • Monthly trail stewardship workdays with tools provided
  • Corporate team-building volunteer packages available
  • Youth service hour certification for students
Sign Up to Volunteer
Volunteers working in a park
Collaboration

Partners & Sponsors

Clay County Parks
Missouri DNR
Northland Chamber
KCMO Parks
Special Olympics MO
Harvesters Food Bank
Funding

Grant Programs & Capital Campaigns

We administer competitive mini-grants for neighborhood park improvements and lead multi-year capital campaigns for signature projects.

Grants up to $15,000 for resident-led improvement projects including seating, shade structures, native landscaping, and public art. Applications accepted quarterly with community review panel scoring.
Dedicated capital pool for trail gap closures, bridge construction, and ADA-compliant surface upgrades. Current campaign target: $2.4 million by 2027.
Permanent fund ensuring free swim lessons for underserved youth in perpetuity. Endowment goal: $500,000 with 60% funded to date.
Voices

Community Testimonials

"The foundation transformed our neighborhood park from an empty lot into the heart of our community. My children walk there every day after school."
Maria RodriguezArmourdale Resident & Parent
"As a corporate partner, we've seen measurable employee wellness improvements through volunteer trail days. This organization delivers real ROI for community investment."
David KimHR Director, Northland Medical Group
"The adaptive recreation program gave my son confidence and friendships he had never experienced before. Inclusive parks change lives."
Patricia OwensParent & Disability Advocate
Sustainable park environment
Sustainability

Environmental Responsibility

Climate-resilient park design, renewable energy installations, and zero-waste event protocols demonstrate our commitment to environmental leadership.

  • Solar-powered lighting at 14 trailheads and parking areas
  • Rain garden bioswales managing stormwater at 8 sites
  • Single-use plastic elimination at all foundation events
Updates

News & Announcements

New trail opening
May 15, 2025

Clay County Greenway Phase III Opens

Six new trail miles connect Armourdale to Riverside, completing a decade-long connectivity vision.

Playground renovation
April 2, 2025

Macken Park Playground Grand Reopening

Inclusive play structure installation celebrates $340,000 capital campaign completion.

Swim program
March 10, 2025

Free Swim Lessons Expand to 2,400 Youth

Aquatic Safety Endowment milestone enables doubled enrollment for summer 2025.

Resources

Publications & Downloads

Annual Impact Report 2024

Comprehensive overview of programs, finances, and community outcomes.

Parks & Trails Map

Interactive guide to all foundation-supported sites across the Northland.

Grant Application Guidelines

Eligibility criteria and submission deadlines for mini-grant programs.

Audited Financial Statements

Independent auditor reports and IRS Form 990 public disclosures.

Native Planting Guide

Missouri-native species recommendations for community garden projects.

Accessibility Standards Manual

Design specifications for inclusive park and recreation facility upgrades.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We are an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with—but is not part of—municipal government. We raise private funds and administer grants that supplement public parks budgets without replacing them.
Yes. All charitable contributions to the North Kansas City Parks and Recreation Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Our EIN is available upon request for your tax records.
Facility reservations are managed by the municipal parks department. Contact our team and we will direct you to the appropriate reservation system for your desired location.
Registered 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and neighborhood associations serving Clay County may apply for mini-grants. Review our grant guidelines in the Resources section for eligibility details and deadlines.

Connect With Our Team

We welcome inquiries about donations, partnerships, volunteering, and park improvement initiatives across the Northland.

Address402 E 29TH Ave, North Kansas City, MO, 64116-2904, United States
Contact PersonKrawiec Noelle Jean