6 Places in Kansas City to Stop and Smell the Flowers
KC is in bloom, and there are so many beautiful places to take it all in!
Photos by Meredith Schneider
While Kansas City is building out the metropolitan area, the focus on natural beauty has fallen to the wayside a bit. Green spaces I used to enjoy when I lived in midtown are now fewer and further between. Luckily, we have new projects to look forward to in areas like the West Bottoms and Downtown soon. And in the meantime, all you have to do is hop in the car and explore a bit to find some blooms worth your while!
But stopping to smell the roses - or flowers of any sort, unless you have insane allergies - can help to regulate cortisol levels and find relaxation, which we all need right now. So, until we have the promised park that crosses the highway just south of the arena - and until more dog parks are built to accommodate our fur friends - it’s important to know where greenery is placed around the city for a moment of zen here and there.
Jacob Loose Memorial Park
Tucked into a corner just south of The Plaza is the famed Loose Park, which has an incredible botanical display. Known specifically for its rose garden, there is a long path that winds around the park, where you will encounter a succulent garden, various annuals, perennials, and of course the pond with local trees and a beautiful willow.
English Landing Park
While English Landing Park in Parkville isn’t known for its florals year round, there is a hillside next to the picturesque walking bridge in the park that is littered with gorgeous wildflowers in the springtime and into early summer. This year, we peeped poppies and gorgeous long stem options in a rainbow of colors.'
Main Street Parkville
If the flowers are thin when you visit English Landing, take a stroll or drive down the main drag of old Parkville. The window boxes and planters are usually bursting with color, charming in a way you would imagine Starts Hollow, a la Gilmore Girls, to be.
Kauffman Gardens
Another beautiful garden that pops off year-round is located just southeast of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. On the land where the illustrious Ewing and Muriel Kauffman are buried, you can take a turn around the scenery between stone walls and gorgeous, heavy doorways – and learn about local vegetation while you’re at it. There is plenty of shade for hotter days, and beautiful fountains to sit by and enjoy.
Penrose Espresso Bar & Pastry Counter
Penrose Espresso Bar & Pastry Counter has done so well at making the area inviting. Lush grass and big trees serve as shaded spots,and vines climb up the walls around the patio. The outdoor espresso bar is situated in the Crossroads where very limited green space exists, and serves as a breath of fresh air in its own little corner. Depending on the time of year you visit, there might be some flowers scattered about, and walking around the immediate vicinity will bring you many gorgeous flowers in planters to stop and admire.
Powell Gardens
We would be remiss if I didn’t mention the absolutely gorgeous Powell Gardens, located about 45 minutes west of downtown Kansas City. While it is a bit of a trek, their butterfly garden alone is worth the trip. If you really enjoy landscaping, you could easily spend an entire day here, and we would recommend it.
