Photo by Michael Bushnell

Even in trying times, the people of Kansas City have hope – for a new season, for the virus to end, for another Chief’s win. Although it might be hard to realize them, there are also things to be grateful for.

The Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department is collecting those snippets of gratitude in a visual way throughout the month of November by providing the community with an opportunity to express their thankfulness on 10 Community Gratitude Walls in parks throughout the city.

 The idea is designed to give the community an opportunity to share for what they are thankful.

KC Parks Director Terry Rynard said this is a way for the community to build unity.

“This has been a very difficult year for everyone and we wanted to provide an opportunity for the community to express what they are grateful for, so our team thought up this idea and made it happen,” Rynard said. 

One of the Community Gratitude Walls is in Budd Park at St. John and Brighton Avenue. Others in the area can be found at Blue Valley Park at East 23rd Street and Topping Avenue and 9th and Van Brunt Athletic Fields Park at East 9th Street and Van Brunt Boulevard.

The other seven Community Gratitude Walls can be found at the following:
Hodge Park at NW 96th Street and North Loop I-435, Northland Fountain at NE Vivion Road and North Oak Trafficway, Gillham Park at 39th Street and Gillham Road, Loose Park at 5200 Wornall Road, Blue Hills Park at East 53rd Street and Brooklyn Avenue, Southeast Community Center at 4201 East 63rd Street, and Gregg/Klice Community Center at 1600 John Buck O’Neil Way.