Loose Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loose Park |
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|---|---|
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Kansas City, Missouri, United States |
| Established | 1925 |
| Owned by | City of Kansas City, Missouri |
| Website | https://kcparks.org/park/loose-park/ |
Loose Park is a super cool place in Kansas City, Missouri. It's the third biggest park in the city! You can find it at 51st Street and Wornall Road.
This park has lots of fun things to do. There's a pretty lake, a handy shelter house, and even tennis courts. You can also find picnic spots for outdoor meals.
One of the most popular spots is the Rose Garden. It's a beautiful place for special events. You might even see plays or weddings happening there! The park also has a special Japanese Tea Room and Garden. This peaceful garden helps connect Kansas City with its sister city, Kurashiki, in Japan.
Discovering Loose Park's Past
From Pasture to Park: How Loose Park Began
The land where Loose Park now sits was once a large pasture. It belonged to an early Kansas City settler named Seth Ward. This area has a really interesting history.
During the American Civil War, a big fight called the Battle of Westport happened here. Confederate General Sterling Price was said to have led his soldiers from the south end of what is now the park. You can still see markers in the park that remember this important event.
In 1897, Seth Ward rented out his land. It became the first golf course for the Kansas City Country Club. Later, in 1907, a man named J.C. Nichols bought land around the golf course. He used it to create the famous Country Club District and Country Club Plaza.
The golf club moved to a new spot in 1925. That's when this land officially became a city park for everyone to enjoy!
Art and Community: Special Moments at the Park
In 1957, the Loose Park Garden Center was built. This center is a place for people to learn about plants and gardening. It hosts different kinds of garden shows and meetings.
In 1977, two famous artists, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, chose Loose Park for a special art project. They created something called Wrapped Walk Ways. They covered 135,000 square feet of paths with bright orange-yellow fabric! It was a unique and exciting art display.
The Japanese Tea Room and Garden was officially opened in 2006. This beautiful garden is a gift that shows friendship. It represents the cultural connection between Kansas City and its sister city, Kurashiki, Japan. It's a peaceful spot to visit and learn about Japanese culture.
