Today, the City of Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Board Commissioner Chris Goode presented a letter to the KC Parks Board. Commissioner Goode requests the renaming of the J.C. Nichols Fountain located in Mill Creek Park. He also requested the renaming of J.C. Nichols Parkway. In response to Commissioner Goode’s request, and as required pursuant to longstanding Parks Board policy, KC Parks Board initiated the process to consider removing the name J.C. Nichols Fountain and J.C. Nichols Parkway. Considering current events, the KC Parks Board feels it is imperative to move swiftly as well as thoughtfully to ensure this process is transparent and inclusive.
Commissioner Goode’s letter included the following statement: “The time has come for us to stop turning a blind eye towards racism of past and present. There is no immediate resolution to racism, that of which has been deeply embedded for over 400 years into the fabric of this country. We can however, make a collective decision to simply do the right thing, now.” Read entire letter>>
Statement by Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas: “No person accelerated white flight, redlining, and racial division in the Kansas City area more than J.C. Nichols,“The time has long passed that we remove Kansas City’s memorials to his name. I fully support Commissioner Goode’s efforts to rename J.C. Nichols Fountain and Parkway.”
Staff will work with our Board of Commissioners to ensure the process is fair and transparent. Two citizen engagement sessions will be scheduled within the next 30 days.
For updates please check kcparks.org/engage. Questions and comments should be directed to KCParksEngage@kcmo.org.