Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

During a ceremony on Friday, May 1, representatives from numerous organizations came together to turn shovels of dirt for a $1 million construction project to bring new recreational opportunities to Historic Northeast.

North Terrace Lake, one of several recreational areas inside the boundaries of Kessler Park, has long been known to locals as “Green Lake”, and despite the color of the water, has seen several previous projects aimed to improve this 2.32 acre natural lake and surrounding parkland.

With the closure of Cliff Drive to vehicle traffic a decade ago, the only access point to North Terrace Lake has been via Chestnut Trafficway, a connector from the East Bottoms industrial area to Independence Blvd., which offers limited parking along the curb.

While Northeasters lamented about the lack of access to the lake, trash, sinking sidewalks and other issues, in 2021, an eleven-year-old Pendleton Heights resident stepped up, along with his mother, and submitted the first PIAC (Public Improvements Advisory Committee) request for funding on behalf of North Terrace Lake.

“It’s a great place to fish, bike ride and hike, and just be in nature,” Jack Murphy told The Northeast News in April 2021. Murphy presented his plan to the Pendleton Heights association board and got the backing of 3rd District PIAC representative Sheron Fulson. Other partners included the Missouri Department of Conservation, MU Extension, Kansas City Parks & Recreation (KC Parks) and the Kessler Park Conservancy- formed in 2023 as stewards advocating for preservation and restoration of the park and scenic byway.

In June 2024, a public engagement session invited feedback for three submitted designs prepared by Confluence—- a professional landscape architecture and urban planning firm—- which offered various amenities for improved appearance and accessibility.

Components from those concepts were configured into the final design and approved by the Board of Commissioners, with funding through PIAC and Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).

KC Parks Deputy Director James Wang kicked off the brief ceremony by thanking the selection of a beautiful day for the occasion.

“With over $1 million investment, including MDC grants and PIAC dollars, this lake will be revitalized into a place where our residents can fish, can connect, can walk, and just chill, enjoying all this in the middle of the city,” said Wang.

After listing all the organizations involved in funding, planning and design, Wang shared the amenities about to come- an 18-space parking area, boat ramp, fishing dock, boardwalk, lighting and landscaping.

Third District City Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley acknowledged all the organizations involved in this project and stated that North Terrace Lake is the “best kept secret that the Third District has to offer” and she was looking forward to many visits with her family to enjoy boating and fishing opportunities.

Pendleton Heights Neighborhood Association President Patricia Carter thanked the young resident (Jack Murphy) that started the process, other organizations that have contributed to the funding and planning, and shared excitement about the project about to unfold.

“I’m so excited to see the ways that the North Terrace Lake improvements will strengthen accessibility for residents and increase the recreational use of this community asset for years to come,” said Carter.

Gunter Construction crews will put their excavator shovels in the ground on May 11; the project is expected to be completed sometime in October.

MDC stocks North Terrace Lake with channel catfish, and the lake also has a population of bass and crappie. Swimming is not allowed and that policy will remain following completed improvements.

For previous Northeast News coverage, visit:

Editor’s Note: Jack Murphy and his family have since moved from the Kansas City area.