Penn Valley Park
Rate this placeNearby: Hospital Hill Park Troost Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Penn Valley Park is a beautiful urban park located in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri.
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Summary
It covers an area of 176 acres and offers a variety of recreational activities, including walking, jogging, picnicking, and playing sports. The park also boasts several points of interest that make it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
One of the most notable landmarks in the park is the Liberty Memorial, a towering monument that honors the soldiers who fought in World War I. Visitors can climb to the top of the memorial for stunning views of the city. Another popular attraction is the Kansas City Sculpture Park, an outdoor art exhibit featuring a variety of contemporary sculptures.
In addition to these attractions, the park offers several amenities, including a lake, playgrounds, and sports fields. There are also several walking and biking trails throughout the park, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Interesting facts about Penn Valley Park include that it was originally designed by renowned landscape architect George Kessler in 1893, and it has been a popular destination for over a century. The park also played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, as it was the location of several protests and speeches.
The best time of year to visit Penn Valley Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for visitors in all seasons.
In summary, Penn Valley Park is a must-visit destination for anyone visiting Kansas City. With its stunning views, historic landmarks, and variety of recreational activities, it offers something for everyone.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Hospital Hill Park
Troost Park
Observation Park
Mount Marty Park
Crews Park