2022 PIAC Submission: Water Play, Hill Slide, Karnes Curbs

Since it was founded the Roanoke Park Conservancy has worked with the parks department to seek PIAC funding for improvements throughout the park with great success. These requests have aligned with the 2011 Master Plan, and benefited from the strong support of nearby neighborhoods. The focus of the past few years has been improving the "south meadow," the lobe of the park southwest of the community center. These improvements include: renewing the tennis courts, new sidewalks, additional lighting, and entry pillars and signage.

The Roanoke Park Conservancy's 2020 PIAC request was only partially funded. Our 2021 request repeated and refined some elements, and added exciting new components.

In 2022 our PIAC request includes exciting improvements to the South Meadow and fixing curbs and seeping water on Karnes Blvd.

We hope to add amenities to the tennis court / playground area including: a path around the back side of the tennis courts to view the cliffs and a planned pollinator planting; and a hand-pump water play area on the north corner of the tennis courts, and a big slide coming down from the stairs north of the tennis court. Because of the unique natural setting (bluffs, caves, and springs) we feel this provides a unique and inclusive play opportunity for all ages and abilities, especially younger children in Kansas City’s urban core. More fun, and more ways to enjoy Roanoke Park. 

Click the image below for a pdf of the 2022 request. Our 2021 video presentation at the top of this page includes explanation of the South Meadow elements. The Karnes Curbs issue is this: Several springwater seeps are leaking water onto the sidewalk across from the Karnes playground and onto the roadway. In winter these become dangerous ice patches. A double curb in envisioned to direct water to the existing stormwater inlet near the western end of this series of seeps. Apart from the springwater issue, the existing curbs are failing. 

Roanoke Park Conservancy’s 2021 PIAC win: Bat-Friendly Cave Improvements, with MDC help.

The PIAC committee granted funding for improving the cave entrance with bat-friendly grating and interpretive signage! Additional funding was sought and awarded through a Missouri Department of Conservation Community Conservation grant. We're currently working with the parks department to coordinate the project.