Loose Park: Kansas City’s Green Jewel

History and highlights of one of KC’s favorite outdoor spaces.

Going to a park in Kansas City during fall is like picking out only one candy at a candy store. It’s difficult to just choose one, but after a while you start to know what you like. And with the skies finally turning to cooler weather, let’s take a look at Jacob L. Loose Park!

Jacob L. Loose Park was originally a golf course for the Kansas City Country Club on lease from Kansas City pioneer Seth Ward. In 1925, the golf club moved to Mission Hills, and the following year the land was bought from the Ward Estate by Ella Loose, who transformed the land into a park to honor her late husband, Jacob. She gave the property to the city in 1927.

In 1931, a group of citizens led by Laura Conyers Smith founded the Kansas City Rose Society, who planted 120 rose plants in the park. Over time, this has grown to over 3,000 roses of almost 130 varieties. Kansas City’s Municipal Rose Garden has become the crown diamond of the park, becoming a popular spot for wedding and graduation photos.

While the rose garden might be a shining beauty, the duck pond should not be overlooked. Taking advantage of perfect weather, I ventured out early and was able to get some shots of the namesakes of the pond. The ducks, willows, and fountains were a perfect backdrop to sit down and have a picnic on the benches surrounding the pond.

This fall season, I know where I’ll be going on my days off when the weather is good! Loose Park is located at 5200 Wornall Road, just south of the Country Club Plaza.