KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Voters rejected the process Kansas City, Missouri, used to push through the renaming of Paseo Boulevard last year.
But that doesn’t mean the effort to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has died in KCMO.
KC Parks is continuing to seek public input about the best way to honor King’s legacy.
Mayor Quinton Lucas tasked the city’s Parks Department with reaching out to the community after voters opted to reverse the KCMO City’s Council decision to rename Paseo in honor of King in November 2019.
“We are encouraged at the collective energy and attention put forth by many people of our community to ultimately create a more equitable and robust conversation towards unity in our beloved city,” KC Parks said in press release last week.
The goal is to find a way the city “can effectively honor Dr. King’s life and continue his vision and core focus of unity,” KC Parks said.
Residents can offer input through Feb. 11. Suggestions should be sent to MLKTribute@kcmo.org or mailed to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, c/o MLK Tribute, 4600 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, MO 64130.
“It is great to see everyone rallying in a positive manner to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” KC Parks Director Teresa Rynard said. "We look forward to working with the Mayor’s office and the community.”
There is a small park named in King's honor already in Kansas City, but civic leaders and community groups believe more is deserved.
