Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

The scenic view atop Northeast’s historic Indian Mound will soon include a paved walking trail that will lead park visitors on an hourglass-shaped loop designed to create and increase accessibility. Now under construction, this trail is one of many park improvements envisioned through community engagement for the Kessler Park Improvement Plan.

This Improvement Plan was approved by the Kansas City Parks & Recreation Board on July 23, 2024, following nearly two years of public engagement that asked residents what type of improvements would increase their usage of the seven parks, including Indian Mound Park, within Kessler Park.

This community input favored adding a walking trail as the first priority, along with planting of native grasses.  Along the eastern side of the mound, this new trail will make the American War Mothers memorial plaque easier to find and visit.

Indian Mound Neighborhood Association President Jimmy Fitzner told the Northeast News he’s had several phone calls from concerned neighbors not aware of the plan but he was pleasantly surprised that this project was underway.

Fitzner stated that, like everyone else, he learned that work on the trail project had begun through social media posts and was wondering what other projects could come next.

“It makes me curious what’s going to happen next,” said Fitzner. “I’m glad they started here, on our end of the park.”

Kessler Park covers 303 acres and spans from Maple Park in Pendleton Heights to Indian Mound Park at Gladstone and Belmont boulevards, and includes Historic Northeast favorites Cliff Drive, The Concourse and the Colonnade.