Thanks to George Kessler's vision Kansas City has many spectacular parks. Some have fountains, some have rose gardens, and the list of amenities goes on and on. But this little park on the edge of the bluff overlooking the West Bottoms, the Broadway Bridge, the Downtown Airport, and the Confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers stands alone for me as my favorite park of all in the Midwest.
In the summer I'll get out of the car and go sit on the concrete wall with my feet hanging over the edge and watch the planes come and go, and the occasional barge make it's way up or down the Missouri. If it's cold or rainy I'll park and still sit and watch even if air traffic is slow. This is my place to go when I needed to think, or to talk, or to just enjoy being on the edge of a big city yet in a beautiful place.
This place has very special significance for me because my mother recently passed away, and on the day I'm writing this review, she will be put to rest later this morning. On the last drive we got to take together we ended up here as our last stop before I took her home. And we talked about many things...and it is here that we resolved any and all issues, and it is here that we remembered all of the good times we had together exploring the city I called home for so many years.
It is only fitting that on the very day that she is put to rest...that I write a review of a place that holds so many special memories for both of us. I leave you with one thing I'd like to share. We were told she wouldn't make it 2 years. She made it 13. She had 3 major rounds of chemo that caused her to go Code Blue and end up at death's door each time. Yet she fought back..and when she got out, we somehow ended up at Case Park and she always found her strength again until this last time...when it was just too much. But our talk that last time gave her the inner peace to make a very tough decision. A park can be a peaceful place...and can help one to find inner peace and Case Park helped her to find inner peace. And after her passing as I was in a state of mind I wouldn't wish on anyone, I took off driving and I ended up at Case Park...and I went down to the wall and looked out over that view...and then looked up and remembered everything......
Thank you for reading this far and for letting me perhaps overshare our story with all of you. As you sit looking out at the view, I hope it brings you the same peace....that it brought to us.
5 Stars, and permanent placement on my Mythical 6th Star List...for places that go beyond the 5 Stars Yelp lets one give. Love ya mom. read more