The Lykins neighborhood forms part of the Historic Northeast community of Kansas City, MO. It is an incredibly diverse neighborhood and a tapestry of different cultures – including both long-time residents and people who have resettled in Kansas City from war-torn or impoverished areas in Africa, the Middle East, Central America and the Far East. It also hosts a broad demographic in terms of age, race, financial means and family size.
Over time, the Lykins neighborhood accumulated many vacant lots and abandoned buildings. In 2018, it became the master developer for a focused community development project that now spans the neighborhood. The project aimed to reduce blight by upgrading housing, while using tools that keep housing affordable and eliminate displacement of long-term residents.
Together with many project partners Lykins gained control of 114 blighted properties in the neighborhood and began gradually converting them into good quality homes. At the same time, the neighborhood association redesigned a central community asset, Lykins Square Park, to offer more amenities for the residents. A brand new Resource Center overlooks the park and offers life-enhancing resources to residents, such as ESL, yoga, business and cooking classes.
We started working with the Lykins neighborhood in October of 2020 to help finalize their vision for this park. They wanted it to become a beautiful place to sustain and celebrate a diverse community, and had many ideas and improvements already in place.
Lykins adopted the motto ‘Neighbors helping Neighbors’, believing that community members know what they need and are best positioned to make changes from the bottom up. Even a community with limited resources can listen, help each other solve problems, and make their neighborhood a better place for all who live there.
Together, over a four-year period, we worked through several different designs, many budget and material constraints, various contractors and changes in community leadership. The final plaza is a testament to the hard work and perseverance that underlie strong community.
The theme of open hands suggests the giving and taking that is at the heart of community, and the collection of palm prints quite literally represents the many unique individuals who have come together to shape their neighborhood.
We are grateful for the input and assistance from:
Staff and stakeholders of the Lykins Neighborhood Association, especially Gail Lozoff and Gregg Lombardi, Diana Graham, Luz Rios, Ricardo Flores, Kelly Allen, Tricia McGhee and Lizette Cerros Valdes
Local residents
Fai Beal, artist and community volunteer/activist
Rick Howell and Plaid Collective - Landscape Designers
Dave Boylson, tile setter, and his assistant AJ
Whittier Elementary principal (Ms. Layne), staff (especially Talia Zook) and students
Estrella de Oro soccer team players, parents and staff
Jewish Vocational Services translators and staff
Kansas City Parks and City employees
Elected local representatives
