Old-fashioned Picnic Draws Northeast Neighbors to Kessler Park

Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

From mothers rocking babies to sleep under a shady umbrella, to youngsters trying their hand at flying a kite, Northeast neighbors spent a Sunday afternoon eating, chatting and discussing opportunities for more neighborly gatherings.

Coordinated by members of the Kessler Park Conservancy, this “old-fashioned” picnic on Sunday, June 14, invited neighbors to gather near Cliff Drive’s Gate 2 with the simple goal to get more residents acquainted with the park’s amenities. This nonprofit conservancy board acts as stewards to preserve, restore and maintain one of Kansas City’s oldest urban parks.

Pendleton Heights resident and President of the conservancy Peggy Mulvihill stated that while Northeast residents use the park to bike, walk their dog or jog, they rarely use the multiple green spaces for gatherings. Studies show that active use of parks by residents deters usage for criminal activities, such as prostitution and drug deals.

Mulvihill stated that residents from several neighborhoods attended the picnic and also did some quick repairs to a nearby basketball hoop without the aid of a ladder. Wil Odem, Pendleton Heights resident and treasurer for the conservancy, led a small group along the trails along Cliff Drive to show the progress involving removing invasive honeysuckle and replanting efforts with native trees and flowers.

Adults and kids battled to the finish line in a three-legged race using gunny sacks, and kids made chalk drawings on the basketball court and blew bubbles that floated across the picnic area and beyond.

Ongoing improvements to Kessler Park, as advocated through this conservancy, will include placement of picnic tables on green spaces near Gates 2, 3 and 4, along with trash receptacles.

Later this summer, a community art project planned as a mosaic tile installation, will be created and placed at Lookout Point following final approval of the Parks Board.

As the picnic concluded, attendees and conservancy members brainstormed ideas for future gatherings and announced a Waterfall Happy Hour for Saturday, July 25. Neighbors are invited to gather at the Carl J. DiCapo Waterfall just inside Cliff Drive’s Gate 4 entrance at 5 p.m. and bring their beverage, chair and a snack to share.