The Indian Mound Neighborhood Association board includes Dustin Fish, Jimmy Fitzner (back row), Riley Roach, Missy Jones and Kay Hopkins (seated).

Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

Scattered with orange pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, Indian Mound Park became a neighborhood pumpkin patch on Saturday, Oct. 24, offering free pumpkins, art activities and a chance for neighborhood kids to run up and down Historic Northeast’s famed Indian Mound at Gladstone and Belmont boulevards.

This annual event —- sponsored by the Indian Mound Neighborhood Association and other community partners — began in 2017 as a preview to Halloween, where each family can select a large pumpkin to take home and carve. Kids chose a smaller pumpkin to decorate with paint, stickers and glitter glue and a tote bag to collect candy and goodies at each resource table.

Resource tables staffed by Mattie Rhodes Center, Northeast Arts KC and MOCSA offered information about programs and services and the North-East Branch Library offered free books and bookmarks while sharing upcoming library events.

In addition to purchased pumpkins, Urban Produce Push donated pumpkins and leftover pumpkins were collected and donated to the Sheffield Neighborhood to add to their orchard offerings.

Neighborhood association president Jimmy Fitzner thanked everyone involved during this three-hour event that brings families outdoors on a fall afternoon.

“The pumpkin patch is always my favorite event of the year,” said Fitzner. “We meet so many neighbors we wouldn’t connect with otherwise. I’m so deeply thankful for our volunteers as well, because these events don’t plan and run themselves. We really have a good thing going over here in Indian Mound.”

The Indian Mound Neighborhood Association meets each 3rd Monday at the North-East Branch Library, 6000 Wilson Ave. The next meeting will be held on Nov. 17.

All photos by Dorri Partain