Spend the afternoon at Penguin Park

One of the most unique parks in Kansas City features a large fiberglass penguin along with other favorite zoo animals. Penguin Park, located at the intersection of NE Vision Road and North Norton Avenue in the Northland, is a destination worth adding to your list!

Penguin Park began as part of the Lakewood Greenway, which the Parks Department purchased in 1957. Vernon Jones, the supervisor of the Kansas City North Park District, designed and built the figures for Santa's Wonderland in Gillham Park. Jones decided to build a large penguin in 1965 after another employee created a miniature penguin for Santa's Wonderland. The penguin was installed in the northern section of the Lakewood Greenway and was a big hit.

Jones also designed other animals for the site, including a giraffe, an elephant, and a kangaroo. He continued to create figures for Santa's Wonderland at the northern park and Gillham Park, as well as other figures and more conservative Parks Department work, such as column repairs. For years, the corner of Lakewood Greenway was unofficially known as "Penguin Park," but it was officially renamed Penguin Park in December 1998. What makes this park so iconic (and a hit for kids) is its unique decorations. You’ll find giant giraffe, elephant, kangaroo, and penguin statues on the playground and beside picnic tables.

Google rating: 4.5/5
Phone: +1 816-513-7500
Address: 4124 NE Vivion Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119, United States
Website: https://kcparks.org/places/penguin-park/