with Parks & Rec Director BJ Staab

Parks and Recreation is Essential! Parks and Recreation and the staff who make it happen are essential to the Liberty Community. 

Month number five featuring the fundamental roles of parks and recreation from the National Recreation and Park Association. This month's statement is "Parks and recreation is essential and adaptable infrastructure that makes our communities resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change."  

Ninety-three percent of US adults agree that it is critical that their local government develops local parks, trails and green spaces for the purpose of protecting natural resources in their community.  


Liberty Parks & Rec is currently accepting public comment on its "Imagine Liberty 2032 Parks and Recreation Master Plan". Submit your comments, ideas and suggestions on current parkland, trails, and future green space needs for Liberty! Learn more about the master plan process is in this newsletter.
July is Park and Recreation Month

Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month. Created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Park and Recreation Month specifically highlights the essential and powerful role local park and recreation professionals — such as our staff here with LPR — play in building stronger, more vibrant and more resilient communities all across the country.

This July, we are bringing attention to how important it is to rise up and support the field of parks and recreation, because every day, park and recreation professionals rise up for their communities in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being.

Happy Park and Rec Month!
Wellness Weekend at the Farmers' Market

The Health & Wellness team will be at the Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc (HDLI) Farmers' Market on Saturday, July 2, for the first Wellness Weekend of the season. There will be kids activity sheets, healthy recipe cards and the first 100 shoppers at the welcome tent will receive a $5 token to be used at the market this weekend.

This project is funded by Liberty Community Health Action Team (LCHAT) and will be the first Saturday of every month with different activities and attractions. Stop by and see us!
Liberty Community Center Independence Day Facility Hours
We hope you are able to spend time with family and friends this Independence Day. On Monday, July 4, the LCC will be open from 12 - 6 p.m.

  • The indoor and outdoor pool will be available for open swim
  • All group exercise classes will be cancelled
  • Child watch will be closed
  • The Liberty Silver Center will be closed
  • No Meals on Wheels delivery
  • No Access Bus transportation

Please have a fun and safe holiday! The LCC will reopen on Tuesday, July 5 at 5 a.m.
LPRF Annual Campaign

The Liberty Parks & Rec Foundation (LPRF) is kicking off their Annual Campaign with the goal of raising $90,000. The Foundation’s Primary Goal is raising funds to support scholarships to ensure kids, families and our community have the opportunity to participate in the department’s youth activities or Liberty Community Center memberships.

The LPRF also focuses on the development and implementation of highly desirable programs and projects that would otherwise be beyond the scope of traditional funding sources.

In addition to scholarships, fundraising for 2022 will be focused on:

  • Restoration of the Liberty Performing Arts Theatre seating

  • Replacement of Bennett Park playground and surfacing for inclusive play

Since the LPRF started the Annual Campaign in 2017, they have raised more than $360,000 providing scholarships and the completion of many projects throughout Liberty's Parks. Check out the previous projects list. 
Liberty Parks & Rec Master Plan

The Liberty Parks & Rec Department is working with Landworks Studio to create a Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan called "Imagine Liberty 2032." This plan will act as a 10-year roadmap for the City to make improvements to the park system and is pivotal in prioritizing limited resources based on input of our parks patrons.
 
To make this plan a success, we need input from you! There are many different ways to get involved with and stay up to date on this project. Visit the Imagine website to learn about the process, sign up for email updates, see what people are already suggesting and you can even add your own ideas to the map!

The website will be updated throughout the project with information from public meetings, engagement activities, and the final Master Plan document.

Goals of this project:
  • Create a roadmap for the future
  • Provide equitable access to greenspace
  • Create a sense of belonging
  • Provide something for everyone
  • Preserve the natural landscape
  • Bring joy to the community
87 percent of people agree that parks and recreation is an important service provided by their local government.

– NRPA 2021 Engagement Report
LPR serves as a Wellness Hub for members of our community, connecting them to programs and services that advance health equity, improve health outcomes and enhance quality of life. Check out some of our program numbers from 2021 showing the impact of LPR!
Get your kids started in summer camps today!

LPR and its partners offer a variety of half-day enrichment and full-day camps to keep your kids engaged and entertained.

This summer we will be offering the following camps:

  • KC Chess Club
  • July 18 -21
  • Buddy Pegs Adventure Bike
  • July 18 - 22
  • Summer Splash
  • Aug. 8 - 12
  • 4-H Summer Send-off
  • Aug. 16 - 19
July Silver Center Activities

Socialize and stay engaged at the Liberty Silver Center. With a wide variety of activities, the Silver Center is designed to meet a variety of needs and social interests and offers plenty of opportunities to exercise your mind and body!  

Located at the Liberty Community Center, the Liberty Silver Center is a place where older adults (60+) come to socialize, participate in activities, special events and enjoy a hot, nutritious meal. The Silver Center is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. -2 p.m. 
Join the Liberty Parks & Rec Foundation (LPRF) to celebrate the 10th annual “Tee It Up Fore Parks” Golf Tournament on Aug. 12 at WinterStone Golf Course. Since its inception in 2013, the tournament has raised more than $102,000 for the Youth Scholarship Program.

Friday, August 12, 2022
  • Team of 4: $300 | Individual $80
  • 8 a.m. shotgun start
  • WinterStone Golf Course Map»
  • Entry includes:
  • Free range balls before the event 
  • 18 holes of golf with a cart
  • Lunch
  • Team Golf Package
  • Auction items (available to purchase)
  • Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Flight A and B.
  • Individual prizes will be awarded for Longest Drive, Longest Putt, and Closest to the Pin on all par 3's
Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!

Bring your family and friends, along with your blankets and lawn chairs, and head out to Capitol Federal® Sports Complex to enjoy Ghostbusters: Afterlife on the big screen, under the stars.

Moviegoers are encouraged to make an evening of it and bring a picnic, lawn chairs and blankets. Please remember, alcohol is not allowed in Liberty’s parks.

Friday, Aug. 26
"Lettuce" Talk about The Community Garden

The Community Garden at Ruth Moore Park was revitalized this year with the help of LPR and Liberty Rotary Club. The garden serves as a place to grow food, herbs and flowers in the company of friends and neighbors. The garden provides an opportunity to reconnect with nature or get exercise while tending to the plants.

There are eight raised beds and a nine tree orchard that make up the Community Garden space. The beds on the outside ring are rented for private use. The two beds in the center and the giving grove orchard are open to the community to pick and enjoy.

If you’re interested in participating in the Community Garden, contact Liberty Parks & Rec at 816-439-4378.
Pop up Dance Classes in the Park W/ Tippi Toes

Saturday Dance
Ballet, Tap and Jazz class for preschoolers ages 3-6 on Saturday, July 9 at 6 p.m. in Ruth Moore Park. Meet at the shelter.

Tutus on the Twentieth
Come dance with a ballerina princess with the glass slipper princess on Wednesday, July 20 at 10 a.m. in City Park. Meet at the sprayground.

No registration needed. Just show up a little before the start time and be ready to dance!
Are you 55 or older? Are you interested in serving your community in a way that suits your schedule, skills, and interests? If you answered yes to one or both of those, we have a great opportunity for you!

Join our team as an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer in our Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and let us connect you with meaningful and rewarding community volunteer experiences.
 
During the months of April and May, our RSVP volunteers donated 366 hours of their time. 

Upcoming Opportunities:
  • Liberty Fest
  • Sunday, July 3
  • Capitol Federal Sports Complex
  • Assist with parking from 5-11 p.m. 
  • Historic Downtown Liberty Farmers' Market
  • First Saturday of the Month through October
  • July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3 and Oct. 1
  • Help Liberty Parks & Rec Wellness Weekends at the welcome tent from 7 a.m. - noon
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Permanent drivers on Fridays
  • Substitute drivers "Summer Subs"
  • Time commitment is from 11 a.m. - noon