KC Hobby Horse

No, it’s not just the Nelson lawn

Hobby Horse

Theis Park doesn’t really look like a park. It’s right across the street from the front lawn of the Nelson. If you follow the shuttlecocks (hee-hee) down and cross the street? You’ll end up in Theis park. The benches are laid out in a strange, symetrical-yet-random pattern facing Brush Creek. Much of the park itself is the riverwalk. I think the best part of the park is the amphitheater, but unfortunately I’ve only ever seen the space used one time: For an impressive mini-rave. I stumbled across it while walking home for studying for finals though so it could have been a hallucination. I’m thinking about starting a swap and shop, or maybe an impromptu Shakespeare in the park. Message me if you want to do an improvised Shakespeare performance. Everyone has to do a different show at the same time… I call Hamlet. Anyway, Theis park has this cool secret double feature of connecting UMKC to the Plaza and connecting a bunch of other parks around the city. It also butts up against the Kauffman Gardens which are becoming one of my new favorite places in the city. I’m going to write the post about them right after this one. I can’t explain my love for this park, it’s got almost nothing to do in it, but it has so much potential. Today I sat in the park for over an hour just listening to the traffic and the beat of Mourning Dove wings. People like to let their dogs off leash in the park which… might not be strictly legal but it imbues the area with so much energy and joy on a sunny day. I’ll be honest though I avoided the area like the plague when it was frozen, or even chilly. It’s almost miraculous how different the park feels between the seasons. Like this dead drainpipe of a community space suddenly wakes up and begins advertising a stage show. I’d say check it out, but if you’re reading a website about things to do in Kansas City, you’ve probably at least been near it? It’s worth giving a more thorough walkthrough though if the weather is nice. Maybe you’ll see my Shakespearean improv group rehearsing our lines. Bring popcorn (to share)