| Swope Park | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Swope Park | |
| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Kansas City,Missouri, United States |
| Coordinates | 39°00′28″N94°32′05″W / 39.007813°N 94.5348°W /39.007813; -94.5348 |
| Area | 1,805 acres (7.30 km2; 2.820 sq mi) |
| Created | 1896; 129 years ago (1896) |
| Founder | ColonelThomas H. Swope |
| Owned by | City ofKansas City, Missouri |
| Website | kcparks.org |
Swope Park is a city park inKansas City, Missouri. At 1,805 acres (7.30 km2), it is the 51st-largestmunicipal park in the United States, and the largest park in Kansas City.[1] It is named in honor of ColonelThomas H. Swope, aphilanthropist who donated the land to the city in 1896.
Most of the park is heavywoodland, and the developed area includes these major destinations:Starlight Theatre, an 8,000+ seatoutdoor theater; theSwope Soccer Village sports complex; theKansas City Zoo; the Lakeside Nature Center, one of Missouri's largestnative species rehabilitation facilities;[2] andSwope Memorial Golf Course. In 1949, the course hosted theKansas City Open Invitational of thePGA Tour, and in 1953 it hosted theUnited Golf Association (UGA) National Championship, in whichAnn Gregory andCharlie Sifford won the women's and men's divisions, respectively.[3] Open seasonally, theBattle of Westport Museum & Visitor Center details the largestAmerican Civil War battle fought west of theMississippi River, in 1864.[4] Other venues includebaseball diamonds,soccer fields, aswimming pool, the Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park, and ten shelter houses.
Swope Park is featured prominently in the fictional works ofRobert A. Heinlein, who grew up in and around Kansas City.[citation needed]