Penn Valley Park

Penn Valley Park is a 176-acre green space in downtown Kansas City with lakes, trails, and sports facilities. The grounds feature tennis courts, ball fields, an off-leash dog park, and a skate park for different activities.

The park grounds were established in 1904 on former Santa Fe Trail land, where 300 houses were removed to create this green space. This transformation marked an important moment in the city's development at the start of the 20th century.

The park grounds contain the National World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial, alongside statues like The Scout and Pioneer Mother Memorial. These monuments tell stories of war and settlement that become real for visitors as they walk through the open spaces.

All facilities in the park are free to access without any registration or payment needed. Visitors can come anytime and enjoy various activities, from jogging to relaxing by the lakes.

A 2-mile exercise trail connects different memorials while offering views of downtown Kansas City's skyline. Many visitors overlook this path while focusing instead on the larger museums and monuments nearby.

Location: Kansas City

GPS coordinates: 39.07700,-94.58900

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:01