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BEST RATED KANSAS CITY, MO PUBLIC PARKS

3 Best Public Parks in Kansas City, MO

Expert-recommended Top 3 Public Parks in Kansas City, Missouri. All of our parks actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

Loose Park - Kansas City, MO Public Parks - Park Image
Loose Park - Kansas City, MO Public Parks - Entertainment Image
Loose Park - Kansas City, MO Public Parks - Outdoor Experience Image
Best Public Parks in Kansas City MO - Loose Park video
10+ YEARS IN TBR
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LOOSE PARK

(4.9 Score)
5200 Wornall Road,
Kansas City, MO 64112 Directions

Since 1927

Specialty:

✓ Playing Equipment ✓ Kids Ground ✓ Bike Riding ✓ Picnic Tables ✓ Stone Benches ✓ Jogging ✓ Waterfalls ✓ Slides ✓ Geese ✓ Walking Trails ✓ Gardens ✓ Playgrounds ✓ Swings ✓ Historical Monuments ✓ Shelters ✓ Trees ✓ Statues ✓ Fountains ✓ Volleyball Courts ✓ Walking and Jogging Trails ✓ Rose Garden ✓ Arboretum Tree Walks ✓ Tennis Courts ✓ Picnic Areas ✓ Open Lawns and Recreation Fields ✓ Children’s Wading/splash Area ✓ Lake and Pond Viewing Areas ✓ Benches and Shaded Seating

"Jacob L. Loose Park is the third-largest park and has a lake, a shelter house, tennis courts, a water park, Civil War markers, picnic areas, and a Rose Garden. The Rose Garden hosts various outdoor special events, including wedding ceremonies and theatrical performances. There are about 3,000 roses of nearly 130 varieties in the 1.5-acre garden. Jacob L. Loose Park is a great place for kids to play and for families to relax. Jacob L. Loose Park features a great walking path, picnic tables, a playground, sports facilities, and restrooms.

2026 Update: Jacob L. Loose Park played a role in the historic Battle of Westport during the American Civil War, and several historical markers throughout the grounds explain the battle’s significance. The Laura Conyers Smith Municipal Rose Garden is one of the park’s signature attractions, featuring thousands of rose bushes across a variety of views. The garden is especially popular during spring and summer bloom seasons. The rose garden includes fountains, walking paths, statues, and formal landscaping that make it a common location for weddings and photography sessions."

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License #N00845005

Price:

Per Hour:
Personal Shoots $25
Monday – Friday $95
Weekends Holidays $125

Contact:

(816) 513-7500 (816) 784-5300

Mon-Sun: 5am - 12am

TBR® Inspection Report:

Penguin Park - Kansas City, MO Public Parks - Attraction Image
Penguin Park - Kansas City, MO Public Parks - Outdoor Activity Image
Penguin Park - Kansas City, MO Public Parks - Leisure Activity Image
Best Public Parks in Kansas City MO - Penguin Park video
10+ YEARS IN TBR
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PENGUIN PARK

(4.8 Score)
4124 North East Vivion Road,
Kansas City, MO 64119 Directions

Since 1998

Specialty:

✓ Gardens ✓ Ponds ✓ Sliding ✓ Kids Play ✓ Picnic Shelters ✓ Kangaroo Slide ✓ Penguin Statue ✓ Swing ✓ Climbing ✓ Playgrounds ✓ Bike Riding ✓ Restrooms ✓ Aquatic Centre ✓ Stone Benches ✓ Walking Trails ✓ Bridge ✓ Jogging ✓ Fountain ✓ Waterfalls ✓ Fishing Lake ✓ Slides and Rope Climbers ✓ Swings and Spinning Play Features ✓ Separate Toddler Play Area ✓ Inclusive Wheelchair-accessible Playground Areas ✓ Picnic Shelters and Shaded Pavilions ✓ Picnic Tables

"Penguin Park is a unique playground known for its giant, whimsical animal sculptures and family-friendly features. Penguin Park is located in the northern region of Lakewood Greenway and has been a hit. The fun playground has a 26-foot kangaroo slide and a 23-foot penguin statue. The park has giant animal sculptures, water fountains, a picnic shelter, and barbecue grills. Penguin Park is a nice park to go to and enjoy with families and friends. The park has statues of various animals; kids love to play near them, and there are even designated areas and adventurous equipment available in the park. The play area is always open, and there are no entry fees. Penguin Park has convenient parking facilities.

2026 Update: Penguin Park became famous after parks supervisor Vernon Jones built a giant penguin structure, inspired by a smaller penguin decoration created for Santa’s Wonderland. Additional giant animal figures, including an elephant, giraffe, and kangaroo, were later added and became iconic attractions for generations of local families. The playground is widely recognized for its imaginative design, where the animal sculptures also function as interactive climbing and sliding structures. The giant kangaroo contains an interior slide, while the elephant supports climbing features that encourage creative physical play."

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Contact:

(816) 513-7500 (816) 513-7719

Mon-Sun: 5am - 12am

TBR® Inspection Report:

Macken Park - Kansas City, MO Public Parks - Outdoor Activity Image
Macken Park - Kansas City, MO Public Parks - Leisure Activity Image
Macken Park - Kansas City, MO Public Parks - Scenic View Image
Best Public Parks in Kansas City MO - Macken Park video
10+ YEARS IN TBR
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MACKEN PARK

(4.8 Score)
1002 Clark Ferguson Drive, North Kansas City,
Kansas City, MO 64116 Directions

Since 1912

Specialty:

✓ Bike Riding ✓ Gardens ✓ Open Space ✓ Trees ✓ Baseball ✓ Tennis and Basketball Courts ✓ Playgrounds ✓ Monuments ✓ Handball Court ✓ Walking Trails ✓ Stone Benches ✓ Event Conducting ✓ Skating ✓ Picnic Tables ✓ Soccer Fields ✓ Restrooms ✓ Dog Parking ✓ Shelters ✓ Public Green/open Space ✓ Walking and Relaxation Areas ✓ Family-friendly Recreation Areas ✓ Community Gathering Spaces ✓ Outdoor Seating Areas ✓ Picnic-friendly Environment ✓ Local Recreational Access

"Macken Park is a 60-acre public park and has excellent amenities like reservable shelters, walking trails, playgrounds, and ball fields. Macken Park features a tree-lined one-mile paved walking and jogging circuit with fitness stops. The park has numerous ball fields, recreation areas, and playgrounds. Macken Park has a one-mile asphalt walking trail, a half-mile roller-blading trail, and two playgrounds. Macken Park has a long paved trail, three separate playgrounds, handball courts, three covered pavilions, accessible parking, athletic fields, and sports areas. The park offers free parking options. Macken Park is free to enter and enjoy the open spaces, playgrounds, and walking paths.

2026 Update: Macken Park supports both active recreation and casual leisure use, making it suitable for residents of different age groups. The city’s parks and facilities are integrated into community wellness initiatives that encourage outdoor exercise, social interaction, and local events. The facility contributes to North Kansas City’s effort to maintain public green spaces and recreational infrastructure within residential neighbourhoods. Recreational facilities in this directory are typically maintained for year-round public access and community programming."

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Price:

Diamond #One Baseballsoftball Field
First 2 Hours $150
Each Additional Hour $75
Diamond #Two Baseballsoftball Field
First 2 Hours $80
Each Additional Hour $40
Diamond #Three Baseballsoftball Field
First 2 Hours $60
Each Additional Hour $30
T-Ball Field
Rental Fee $50
Field Preparation Fee $25
Each Additional Hour $25
Tennis Courts
Per Court $30
Each Additional Hour $15
Handball Courts
Per Court $30
Each Additional Hour $15
Soccer Field #Two
Rental Fee $50
Field Preparation Additional Fee
Each Additional Hour $25

Contact:

(816) 300-0545

Mon-Sun: 5am - 11pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

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LOOSE PARK REVIEWS

Loose Park was the place my son's girlfriend chose to celebrate Mother's Day this year. It is such a beautiful and serene setting that you wouldn't think it was surrounded by city. There are plenty of rolling hills of grass and beautiful giant trees to shade areas for family picnics. The fountain and flowers, especially the rose garden, along with all the sidewalks around the park, make the park perfect for strolling with the family or on a special date. The kids enjoyed climbing in a couple of trees, playing catch and soccer, and seeing the big bird land at the top of a tree. I would definitely recommend a visit to this park for a wonderful time with family or friends.

Beautiful Park so much to enjoy. Rose garden is beautiful. The walking trail is so scenic and peaceful. There so many places to take pictures.There are resting areas all over the park.I highly recommend Jacob L.Loose Park.

Best place to spend a beautiful day!!! Great for walking, take your dog if you have one. Maybe a picnic and lay out just enjoying the sunshine!.

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PENGUIN PARK REVIEWS

We were driving from Kansas City to Tulsa and picked up a to-go meal. We like to find a local park to eat in rather than just hanging in the car. We were intrigued by the name, Penguin Park, and decided we had to check it out. Very cute with concrete animals - penguins, elephant, giraffe. Like a Putt-Putt without the mini golf. Weather was beautiful, so it was pretty busy with families and their kids. One of the best kid parks I've seen.

What a strange, awesome park. So glad I looked up playgrounds near me and found this. Lots of old and new features, lots of spinning things. Inclusive playground with swings and merry go rounds for disabled people and even ground which can easily be traversed with a wheelchair or wagon. Lots of climbing structures and slides. Plenty of shaded seating including a large picnic area with picnic tables. Would be an absolutely wonderful place to have a birthday party. Has a nice water fountain that can refill bottles too. Could easily spend hours here playing.

Very inclusive! Family friendly safe park. Clear posted security cameras, nice hand rails, could have used another bathroom open only one was available. Turf ground.

MACKEN PARK REVIEWS

Great park. Green grass. Walking/running track that is lit all the way around. Lots of space for multiple different sports or activities.

Nice clean park for dogs and families to enjoy. There is an off-leash dog park a few blocks away but I have a service dog so I do not take her there.

Loved this park!! It was very beautiful and inviting!! The playground was awesome and they even have bathrooms avaliable for use, they just get locked up at night time!!!!

TBR® Inspection Score Report

LOOSE PARK Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Acknowledgments: 9
Reviews Accuracy of 7.2K: 9
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Page Maintenance: 10
Social Media: 10
Video: 10
Website Standard: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

PENGUIN PARK Total Inspection Points: 116/120
Legitimate Ratings: 8
Acknowledgments: 9
Reviews Accuracy of 3.7K: 9
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Page Maintenance: 10
Social Media: 10
Video: 10
Website Standard: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

MACKEN PARK Total Inspection Points: 114/120
Acknowledgments: 8
Legitimate Ratings: 8
Reviews Accuracy of 2.6K: 8
Business Hours: 10
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Page Maintenance: 10
Social Media: 10
Website Standard: 10