UPDATE, Nov. 19 | A spokesperson for Kansas City Parks and Recreation said that due to low registration numbers, the Thursday listening session has been canceled.
The parks department still plans to hold the session on Dec. 7 and will then decide if another one is necessary.
ORIGINAL | Kansas City, Missouri, residents will have two opportunities to give their input on how the city can honor Martin Luther King Jr.
Both sessions will be held virtually, the first one at 6 p.m. Thursday and the second at 6 p.m. Dec. 7.
The Kansas City Parks Board of Commissioners has received “hundreds of great ideas,” according to a news release, but wants to hold “breakout sessions” for further discussion.
The city has been on a years-long journey searching for a way to honor King. In September, the parks board met to discuss renaming a portion of Volker Boulevard, Swope and Blue parkways after King.
In early 2019, city council members voted to change The Paseo to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, but residents lobbied to put the name change on last November’s ballot. Voters rebuked the council's decision, and the name change was reversed.
Those interested in participating in either upcoming session can RSVP by emailing kelly.jander@kcmo.org. Anyone can submit ideas to the city via email at MLKTribute@kcmo.org or by mail to: Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, c/o MLK Tribute, 4600 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, MO 64130.
