Chalk Walk 2008
Parks-n-Play eNews
An update from Kansas City, Missouri
Parks and Recreation
April 2009 - Vol 3, Issue 4
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MISSION: To improve the quality of life by providing recreational, leisure, and aesthetic opportunities for all citizens, and by conserving and enhancing the environment. We will accomplish this mission by providing quality programming, making the best use of existing resources, developing a supportive and influential constituency, developing effective collaborations and partnerships, and acquiring and preserving natural features.

MASTHEAD IMAGE: Parks and Recreation's square--designed by artists from Akeemi Salon, Spa and Tattoo Gallery--at the 2008 Chalk Walk.

On March 20, the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), an independent body sanctioned by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), approved Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Department's renewal for accreditation.

"The reaccreditation is an acknowledgement that our board of commissioners, staff, and volunteers foster excellence and ongoing improvement in our department and throughout the system," said Board Chair John Fierro who attended the peer feedback session in Washington, DC.

The department was first accredited in February 1999; re-accredited in 2004 and again in 2009. The Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Department is one of only 78 CAPRA accredited agencies nationwide.


"Our board is proud of the staff and are advocates for accreditation," Fierro said, "accreditation provides a systematic process that requires this department to ask why it exists, to establish a vision of its future, and to determine specific objectives for reaching that vision."

The Parks and Recreation department was visited by a team of certified park and recreation professionals for three days in December 2008. The accreditation process is administered by CAPRA which includes a rigorous program based on self-assessment and peer review using national standards. The emphasis of accreditation is based on 155 standards which include effective and efficient park and recreation operations.

Mark McHenry, CPRP, director of Parks and Recreation noted, "the process of self evaluation that the department went through for reaccreditation highlights the importance of examination and review of practices and operations, particularly for government agencies."

According to the NRPA, nearly 200 million people use local park and recreation services annually to enhance their physical and social well-being. In 1989, with support from Michigan State University, NRPA developed the standards and procedures that today represent the framework for the Accreditation Program for Park and Recreation Agencies.

KCMO Parks and Recreation operates with 300 employees; 6,500 volunteers; and more than 100 community partners within an organizational structure guided by five strategic initiatives: youth development and "building better kids"; green solutions as a part of planning and development process for all projects; financial sustainability to ensure equal resources for the entire community; developing plans, strategies and work procedures to increase economic achievement for MBE/WBE companies; and marketing programs and services.
The Kansas City, Missouri Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, with the help of Mayor Mark Funkhouser and City Manager Wayne Cauthen, has identified funds to operate Kansas City's trademark publicly owned fountains this season. They will be turned on in a staggered approach beginning April 10.

"Leaders from all areas of city government stepped up to the plate," said Mark McHenry, director of Parks and Recreation. "The Water Services department, with its #1 drinking water in the country, will provide the water for free, as well as the electricity to run the fountains. The Parks and Recreation department will provide the labor to get the fountains running."


Known as the "City of Fountains", Kansas City, Missouri, has more operating fountains than any other city in the world, except for Rome. The Parks and Recreation department operates and maintains 49 fountains.
Chalk Walk 08 Artists
Chalk Walk in the Historic Northeast: Celebrating Creativity. Building Community. Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 at The Concourse in Kessler Park (Benton Blvd & St. John Avenue), 9:00am-5:00pm. Rain or Shine.

Chalk Walk is a sidewalk chalk drawing festival in the heart of the Historic Northeast Neighborhoods that celebrates the wealth of culture and diversity of Kansas City's Urban Core and encourages people of all ages and abilities to create art.

Chalk Walk Celebrates Creativity! This FREE, family- friendly event--in the tradition of European 16th Century street painting-- transforms the dull, grey concrete sidewalks of The Concourse into colorful, pastel pathways. Kids and parents will join local, amateur and practicing artists to create temporary chalk "masterpieces"! Four Major Squares anchor the festival and are created by a madonnari, a local artist, an emerging artist, and a youth group. Artists of all abilities are encouraged to apply for FREE for one of 100 squares.

Chalk Walk Builds Community! On Saturday, from 11:00am-2:00pm a Picnic for the Planet, sponsored by StoneLion Puppet Theatre, will take place on the lawn of The Concourse. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy puppets, live music and children's entertainment, and learn about ways to help curb pollution and improve our environment. Watch your favorite artist(s) create their works. On Sunday, drummers and dancers will create a carnival atmosphere while artists finish their chalk masterpieces.


Proceeds raised by Chalk Walk in the Historic Northeast benefit art programs created by Mosaic Brain, a youth arts outreach committee of the Historic Northeast Cultural Arts Commission. Mosaic Brain provides after school and out of school arts and culture programs to young people and their families living in the Historic Northeast Neighborhoods. Mosaic Brain partners with organizations like KCMO Parks and Recreation and local schools to house programs.

Chalk Walk in the Historic Northeast succeeds because of its many partnerships including AIGA, Historic Northeast Neighborhood Associations: Independence Plaza, Pendleton Heights, Scarritt Renaissance, Lykins, Indian Mounds, Sheffield and Columbus Park; KCMO Parks and Recreation, The Kansas City Museum, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Lawrence Busker Fest, LISC, Northeast Chamber of Commerce, StoneLion Puppet Theatre and Westside Housing. Major Sponsors include the Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund, LAMAR, KCMO Parks and Recreation, Mark ONE, and Mail Print, Inc.

You don't have to be a professional artist or even know much about art to be a part of Chalk Walk. All you need is the desire to have fun and be inspired. Young people can volunteer at Chalk Walk and earn community service hours as part of National Youth Service Day.

To learn more about Mosaic Brain visit: www.mosaicbrain. org. Mosaic Brain is a non-profit organization under the Historic Northeast Cultural Arts Commission's 501(c)3 whose mission is to inspire underserved youth and their families in the Northeast through artistic exploration and expression.
The volunteers and staff at Lakeside Nature Center are "Owl Shook Up" for Earth Day. Science and fun are intermingled in a delightful day for all ages on Saturday, April 18 from 10:00am-4:00pm at the Nature Center, 4701 E Gregory Blvd in Kansas City. See live Missouri owls, learn how they use their amazing sense of hearing to find food and other neat animal facts.

StoneLion's award-winning puppet shows at 11:00am and 2:00pm will feature Felicia Flash, wildlife photographer, and her trusty sidekick, Karma the Elephant.


Other activities will include:
  • Live animal presentations throughout the day
  • Owl crafts kids can take home
  • Face painting, kid tattoos and other activities
  • New wildlife rehabilitation flight pens will be dedicated to the wild birds of Missouri at 1:00pm
  • Recognition of donors that helped Friends of Lakeside Nature Center to build the flight pens

    • The event, puppet shows and all activities are free and open to the public. For more information, call Lakeside Nature Center at 816-513-8960.
    Block Party Logo
    Join Parks and Recreation at the Research Foundation's 2009 Community Block Party and Health Fair on Saturday, April 18. Join us from 10:00am-2:00pm on the campus of Research Medical Center located at 2316 East Meyer Boulevard.

    Get free health screenings including blood pressure, blood glucose, body mass index, bone density and dental screenings

    The Children's Area includes: bicycle helmet fittings for the first 250 children, Teddy Bear Clinic (please bring your Teddy Bear for an "official" checkup), free books courtesy of the Kansas City Public Library, car seat safety checks and booster seats for the first 20 families, Moon Walk, games and more.

    At 11:00am, join the 1-mile Campus Exercise Walk and receive a free t-shirt and water bottle. Enjoy a free healthy lunch. Experience the Rollover Simulator and Seat Belt Convincer from Missouri Highway Patrol. Over 70 exhibitors, including KCMO Parks and Recreation and the Southeast Community Center in Swope Park, will be present with free information.
    HISTORY: The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is a new, significant threat to the urban and rural forests of Missouri. This exotic beetle is an invasive species that has the potential to remove all species of Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) from the North American forests and urban landscapes. EAB was first discovered in southeastern Michigan in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, creating extensive tunnels, separating the trees living tissues from the wood, and thus killing the tree. Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. Emerald ash borer has since been found in Ontario, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and most recently, Missouri. Since its discovery in the U.S., the EAB has killed an estimated 100 million Ash trees in the affected states, and cost municipalities tens of millions of dollars to remove dead or infested trees. The EAB can spread by natural migration, or by hitchhiking in firewood, nursery stock, or logs. The Emerald Ash Borer was positively identified in Missouri in July 2008 near Wappapello Lake in Southeastern Missouri.

    IDENTIFICATION: EAB infestations can be identified by several symptoms that separate it from other wood boring insects that also attack Ash trees. The most noticeable signs are rapid dieback of the Ash tree, beginning in the top one-third of the tree, and telltale "D-shaped" 1/8 inch exit holes in the trunk of the tree. Often, shoots begin to grow from the base and roots of the tree, and the leaves appear larger than normal. There can be an increase in the activity of woodpeckers, which feed on the larvae. Further inspection is required by a qualified Forestry professional to positively identify EAB and distinguish it from other, less threatening, borer species.

    HOMEOWNER TREATMENT: Homeowners can treat their Ash trees by using a product with an active Imidacloprid ingredient. Treatment products are manufactured by several leading chemical companies, and are available in local lawn and garden centers. The most common application for home-use is a soil drench around the base of the tree. Please be sure to follow instructions carefully! Treatments are most effective if begun two years before an infestation occurs, and trees must be re- treated each year. Also, if the overall health of the tree is maintained, treatment for EAB is more likely to be effective. Trees should be pruned regularly, fertilized annually, and receive sufficient water in order to maintain optimum health.


    KCMO RESPONSE: In Kansas City, Missouri, the Forestry & Conservation division of Parks and Recreation has primary responsibility for the City's urban forest. Forestry Operations maintains approximately 385,000 public right-of-way trees, and nearly 2 million trees in parks and on public properties. Kansas City has approximately 42,000 Ash trees on public right-of-ways, and an unknown number on public properties. An EAB infestation has the potential to cost Kansas City and its residents tens of millions of dollars. Forestry staff are currently monitoring Ash trees in Kansas City, and inspecting declining or dead Ash trees for signs of EAB. Staff also seeks grants for the removal and replacement of Ash trees in strategic areas of the City. By removing blocks of already declining Ash trees and replacing them with other species, staff hopes to slow down the migration and impact of EAB if it is found in Kansas City. In the Winter and Spring of 2009, Forestry Operations removed and replaced 50 Ash trees with funding from a Missouri Department of Conservation T.R.I.M. grant. Forestry staff will continue to pursue MDC grant initiatives in order to meet Kansas City's EAB response goals. Currently, the City of Kansas City does not allow the planting of Ash trees on public property.

    CONTACT: If you suspect you have damage to an Ash tree caused by EAB, or have questions concerning EAB or other forestry and conservation issues, please contact the Forestry & Conservation division at 513- 9550.
    Several people and an organization with ties to Kansas City Parks and Recreation received recognition at the Missouri Park and Recreation Association's (MPRA) 50th Anniversary conference held March 10-13 in Kansas City.

    Jonathan M. Kemper received a Citation Award from MPRA for his work and support of KCMO Parks and Recreation. Some of the many projects that Mr. Kemper has provided funds for includes the Loose Park Rose Garden and "Muse of Missouri" fountain renovations.

    Shoal Creek Association (SCA) received a Not-for-Profit Citation Award from MPRA. SCA is responsible for operations and programs at the Shoal Creek Living History Museum in Hodge Park.

    Frank Vaydik, Sr, who served first as superintendent of Parks for Kansas City, Missouri then became the director of Parks and Recreation, was selected for inclusion in the inaugural class of the Missouri Recreation and Parks Hall of Fame. Vaydik was originally educated in forestry, and was first hired to address the catastrophic Dutch Elm disease situation in 1962. During the remainder of his career, he was responsible for expanding park acreage, the planting of over 75,000 trees, and worked to place the Liberty Memorial and Union Cemetery under the auspices of the Parks department, and many other accomplishments. He received many honors, but perhaps his strongest legacy was his ability to see and to communicate the importance of parks to people. Fourteen individuals were inducted into the Hall, which recognizes those who have made "outstanding, unique, lasting and extraordinary contributions to the recreation and park movement in Missouri."


    Mark McHenry, director of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation, received the 2009 MPRA Fellow Award. Mark McHenry's career in Parks and Recreation spans more than 34 years. In 1974, he received his Bachelor of Science in Park Administration from Texas Tech University and was hired as a Municipal Management Trainee by the City of Kansas City. Since that time, he has served the department in numerous capacities and continued to further his education. He received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri, Kansas City in 1989 and is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In 2003, Mark was appointed Director of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation, the position he holds today. As the Director, Mark oversees more than 300 staff and a budget of approximately $50 million. Mark McHenry's breadth of experience includes leadership and management of some of Kansas City's highest profile projects. He played a major role in the renovation and expansion of the Kansas City Zoo and Liberty Memorial as well as the planning and construction of Lakeside Nature Center, Ilus W. Davis Park, Blue River Golf Academy, and numerous other highly visible projects. McHenry works closely with the department's many community partners including the Mid-America Regional Council, Friends of the Zoo, Starlight Theater Association, Liberty Memorial Association, local Chambers of Commerce and several school districts. He has been an advocate of these partnerships which are critical to the department's success, especially during recent budget challenges. During his tenure, Kansas City has attained national recognition for the maintenance and expansion of its parks and boulevards, a system originally developed by renowned landscape architect, George E. Kessler. Mark has also spearheaded the department's efforts to attain National Accreditation through NRPA in 1999, and re-accreditation in 2004 and 2009. Mark McHenry has provided contributions and service to parks and recreation agencies at all levels doing everything from hosting conferences to serving on various boards and commissions. He is past president of MPRA, past chair of the MPRA Committee on Diversity and currently chairs the MPRA Legislative and Critical Issues Committee. He has received numerous awards and was honored by his professional peers in 2004 when he was elected as a Fellow into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.
    The Precious Doe Memorial Committee recently held a news conference to announce plans to honor the memory of Erica Green with a "Precious Doe Unity March and Metropolitan Day of Prayer for Our Children" on Saturday, April 25.

    The event begins at 10:00am in the parking facilities of the Kansas City, Missouri Water Services/Parks and Recreation Departments, 4800 E. 63rd Street. The group will march together nine blocks to the future site of the Precious Doe Memorial in Hibbs Park, 59th & Kensington. The committee has commissioned local sculpture artist, Mary Lynn Swafford, to create a memorial statue to honor Erica, while at the same time providing hope for other children. The sculpture will be placed in an expansion to Hibbs Park that will also include a play area and contemplative seating areas.

    The date April 25, is significant because it is almost eight years to the date Erica Green, "Precious Doe" was found. In addition, it is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to bring awareness to the importance of reporting and preventing child abuse.
    R& S Lawn Service 2009
    Seven local landscape designers created spectacular gardens at the 2009 Flower, Lawn & Garden Show held March 26-29 at Bartle Hall. Participants included: Classic Scapes, Comprehensive Lawn Solutions LLC, Gardening Friends Inc., Landscape Renderings, Precision Creations Inc., R & S Lawn Service and the Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City. Prizes were awarded for Small and Large Garden Displays in six different categories. The 2009 Winners include:

    BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN
    Large Garden: Precision Creations
    Small Garden: Comprehensive Lawn Solutions

    EXCELLENCE AWARD
    Large Garden: Precision Creations
    Small Garden: Landscape Renderings

    BEST PLANT MATERIAL COMPOSITION
    Large Garden: R & S Lawn Service
    Small Garden: Gardening Friends

    MOST INTRIGUING DESIGN FEATURE
    Large Garden: Precision Creations
    Small Garden: Landscape Renderings

    BEST THEME
    Large Garden: R & S Lawn Service
    Small Garden: Gardening Friends

    COMMISSIONERS' AWARD
    Large Garden: Precision Creations
    Small Garden: Gardening Friends

    The Flower, Lawn & Garden Show is annually presented by Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Home Builders' Association and the Home Show.

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