Structures play an important role throughout the Kansas City Parks and Boulevards System. In many ways, they act as place markers for various parks throughout the city. In this analysis, park structures were systematically divided into three categories: monumental structures, interaction structures, and shelter structures. Figure 1 illustrates examples of each structure contextually within Kansas City.

STRUCTURES AS MONUMENTS

Monumental structures are found in various parks in Kansas City, and serve different purposes based on their contextual location. In Minor Park, the Old Red Bridge is a retired automobile bridge that has since been converted to a pedestrian bridge, and links a trail running through the park. At North Terrace Park, in the Historic Northeast, The Colonnade is oriented in such a way that it offers views to the northeastern part of Kansas City, as well as the Missouri River

INTERACTIVE STRUCTURES

Interactive structures are some of the most common among Kansas City’s parks. Their most common forms are playground, but other include swimming pools, baseball diamonds, or even community centers. They have similar characteristics as far as their location, as they are most frequently found in smaller neighborhood parks, within walking distance to adjacent neighborhoods.

STRUCTURES AS SHELTER

Shelter structures are frequently found in various Kansas City parks as well. More specifically, neighborhood parks. In fact, during this analysis, shelter structures were most commonly found in parks paired with playgrounds, swimming pools, or other interactive structure. Note the varying types of architecture found is different parts of the city as well. The shelters found in both Loose Park and Tower Park, although slightly different, both feature very monolithic characteristics, made completely from concrete and limestone. The shelter found alongside Troost Lake Park, however, is slightly more contemporary, featuring a metal roof and solar panel, supported by limestone pillars.

 A STRUCTURAL INTERVENTION

One thing that popped up several times during this analysis was the amount of disparities between park quality, whether based on location, state of upkeep, or just the presence of pedestrian amenities. Looking at several precedent studies on parks, something that was emphasized was the importance of neighborhood parks. Applying this to Kansas City’s parks system, I noticed a lack of quality neighborhood park space, specifically in the neighborhoods in eastern Kansas City. Troost Lake Park is located on 27th Street, between Paseo Boulevard and Vine Street. The lake itself is frequently used for fishing by surrounding residents, and single shelter at the corner of Vine Street and Troost Lake Drive is utilized almost year round, weather permitting. Aside from those, this neighborhood park lacks any sort of structure that can be found in similar neighborhood parks around the city. To counter this, I have proposed to add two additional shelter structures along the western portion of the park, as well as an interactive playground structure to the northwest. Also, because the lake is often fished by residents, I have also chosen to tie all of these elements together with a paved trail, running the perimeter of the entire park. Together, these elements promote increased usage among residents of all ages, and will re-activate Troost Lake Park as the neighborhood park it was intended to be.