The Wyandotte County Parks Foundation was founded in 1993 for the betterment of public parks in Wyandotte County, Kansas.
The first major project sponsored by the Foundation was the establishment of the Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Schlagle Library and Environmental Learning Center in Wyandotte County Lake Park. This project was completed in collaboration with the Kanas City, Kansas Public Schools (USD 500), the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas. The library now offers hands-on nature and science-based educational and outdoor recreational programs to school students and park visitors.
In the years since the Schlagle Library was completed, the Foundation has focused its efforts on raising money to replace aging playground equipment, add ADA accessible playground equipment, and improve trails and athletic equipment in Wyandotte County Parks. The following parks have received new playground equipment through contributions from the Wyandotte County Parks Foundation:
- Wyandotte County Lake Park
- Wyandotte County Lake
- Rosedale Park Playground
- Turner and Pierson Parks – ADA Igloos
- Hope Park Playground
- Shawnee Park Playground
- City Park
- Emerson Park
- Quindaro Park
Since 2021, the Foundation has been contributing funds to assist the Parks and Recreation Department with their annual Donuts with Santa Event for all community children.
In 2021, the Parks Foundation became aware of the need to improve and restore the Bridle Trail, a popular and historic 8.5-mile foot and horseback trail at Wyandotte County Lake Park. Through grants from the Hollywood Casino Grant Fund ($10,500) and Park Foundation support ($12,025), a Wyandotte County Lake Bridle Trail Restoration Plan was completed in July 2022. This Plan was considered an essential first step for undertaking trail restoration work.
During the public engagement process for the Bridle Trail Restoration Plan, one of the highest priorities among trail users was the addition of trailhead signs and wayfinding signposts along the trail. Through grants from the Hollywood Casino Grant Fund ($5,000 in 2022) and funds from the TURF Committee of the Kansas City Monarchs ($41,000 in 2023), the Foundation was able to design, purchase and install the much-needed trail signage during the summer of 2024. A ribbon-cutting event was held September 7, 2024, at the East Trailhead.
In the summer of 2024, the Parks Foundation purchased and installed a park bench in honor of Mike Connor, a past Superintendent of the Wyandotte County Parks Department and the Unified Government’s Parks and Recreation Department from 1983 until 1997. He retired in December 2005, but then returned as a private contractor for the parks from June 2011 through May of 2012. He continues to be admired for his work as a parks advocate and historian.
Mike chose to place his bench in view of the playground at Wyandotte County Lake Park, near the office where he worked for many years. Mike, the man in the ball cap in the photo, was joined by a large gathering of family members for the bench dedication on October 26, 2024. Community members and former co-workers also joined him for the celebration.
In the final project of 2024, the Parks Foundation joined the Wyandotte County Parks and Recreation Department, the TURF Committee of the Kansas City Monarchs, the Community Capital Fund and Frontiers CTSI to provide the funds needed to revitalize a basketball court located at 750 Walker Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas. This project was initiated by Vibrant Health and other project partners in memory of Broderick Crawford, a man who dedicated his life to making Wyandotte County a better place to live. One of the last projects Broderick championed was the renovation of the basketball court along the Jersey Creek Trail to transform it into a vibrant space for recreation and community connections. The new court was dedicated on October 26 with a community celebration and basketball clinic for youth. The Parks Foundation contributed $30,000 toward the purchase of the basketball goals for this project.
Fundraising Event in 2024: The 13th Annual Wyandotte County Parks Foundation Golf Tournament was held on September 23 at the Sunflower Hills Golf Course with 31 teams participating. The Foundation raised $28,500 during this event.
Fundraising Event in 2025: The 14th Annual Wyandotte County Parks Foundation Golf Tournament was held on September 12 at the Sunflower Hills Golf Course with 36 teams participating. The foundation raised $31,000 during this event. With these funds, the Foundation plans to purchase new playground equipment for Turtle Cove in Wyandotte County Lake Park. The installation is planned for the spring of 2026.
On April 11, 2025, the Parks Foundation unveiled 7 interpretive signs about the birds that can be seen along the ¼ mile Stotler Cove Trail around the Schlagle Library in Wyandotte County Lake Park. Afterward the signs were installed by the Parks Department. The Become a Birder! signs were designed to draw people into a bird’s world through photos and descriptions of their habits and habitat. The Trail is intended to be enjoyed by park and library visitors while adding value to the wide range of educational programs offered by the Schlagle Library.
Wyandotte County Lake Park has long been recognized among the birding community as a birdwatcher’s paradise. An amazing array of birds can be seen there at any season: geese, swans and raptors in winter, migrating species of songbirds in spring and fall, and birds that nest in the summer. A variety of park habitats support bird diversity: open water, wetlands, forests and open prairies. The Park also lies right in the middle of the Central Flyway, the pathway used by migratory birds going north and south to reach nesting and wintering grounds. Those who walk the trail will be able to see all these habitats along with a chance to see some of the birds that inhabit them.
The Become a Birder! project was developed with many partners over a 2-year period including: Schlagle Library, the Wyandotte County Parks & Recreation Department, Wyandotte County K-State Research and Extension Office, the Applied Park Science Lab at K-State University, Dr. Ted Cable, author of A Compact Guide to Kansas Birds and local wildlife photographers: John Alford, Kelly Umberger, Melissa Schwartz-Streczywilk, Ann Tanner, Ron Tillman and Dr. Ted Cable.
The Become a Birder! project was made possible with funding from: the Wyandotte County Parks Foundation, Kanza Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Hollywood Casino Grant Fund and the Yankovich and Tanner family trusts. We also recognize the many hours of collaborative work provided by members of the Park Foundation Board and the Schlagle Library and Parks Department staff to complete the project. The total cost of the project was $16, 207.94.
The project began as a senior English class assignment. Tasked with identifying ways to improve Wyandotte County, the students surveyed their peers and asked a bold question: Would you choose to keep living in Wyandotte? The majority said no. Through additional research and community surveys, they discovered a common complaint: limited recreational spaces and a lack of dog parks.
When asked what led them to take on this project, Samantha shared, “We wanted to find ways to be able to improve Wyandotte County, and why we wanted to continue living here.”
Motivated by their love for their community and their own experiences as dog owners, Samantha, Daniel, and Maritza decided to act. Their focus turned to Welborn Park, located at 2520 N 55th St, which is one of the most underutilized parks in the system and is close to where they live.
After presenting their findings to their senior class, their English teacher, Amanda Wisdom, encouraged them to take the next step. They contacted Wyandotte County Parks and Recreation and the Wyandotte Couty Parks Foundation and began attending public meetings. They eventually presented their proposal to Mayor Garner and county commissioners. Through it all, they remained directly involved, continuing their advocacy even after graduation thanks to the guidance and encouragement of Ms. Wisdom.
On Monday, November 17th, 2025, Unified Government Officials and the Parks Foundation along with community members and the inspiring students celebrated the new dog park as residents and furry friends enjoyed the new space crafted for fun and enjoyment.
Funding for this project was provided by:
- $24,000 in grant funds from Unified Government’s Hollywood Casino Grant Program
- $20,000 commitment from the TURF Council
- $15,000 from the Wyandotte County Parks Foundation
In total, $59,000 has been committed to the project so far.
The Unified Government Parks and Recreation Department has pledged in-kind assistance to help cover any remaining costs associated with completing the dog park. Additionally, the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has agreed to extend an existing water line in the park, ensuring water access to the new facility.
The project’s funding success was made possible by a unique collaboration between public agencies, private partners, and community organizations. As District 8 Commissioner, Andrew Davis described it, “So often, our youth share great ideas but don’t have the resources to make them real. This project is different. Thanks to the collaboration of the Monarchs, Wyandotte County Parks Foundation, UG Parks and Recreation, unions, and the 8th District’s casino grant allocation, we made it happen together. When our public and private partners join forces, we get things done!