Growing up in Kansas City, three things were absolutes when it came to the holidays. The Plaza Lights would be turned on Thanksgiving night, all KC raised natives would also turn their holiday lights on Thanksgiving night, and Gillham Park would have Santa's Workshop. Gillham was a winter joy. There was a workshop you could go through and see Santa's elves making toys, a big Santa slide, and lot's of other holiday play toys. In the summer there was the pool to play in and lots of open green space to fly kites, play frisbee, or run with your pet dog. That was then.
Over the years, Gillham Park, along with the neighborhood, fell on rough times (partially thanks to the murderer Bob Berdella). The park fell into a minor state of disrepair (the city closed the nearest public works outpost that housed the winter toys) and crime crept in. But now, the neighborhood has bounced back from the ravages of the 90s, and Gillham park with it.
Gone are the dilapidated bow legged woman and rundown teddy bear. A new state of the art play area has been installed, the grounds cleaned up and all sorts of sports teams (even a kick ball and rugby leagues) play there on the weekends and the pool is back in business during the summer (Tuesday - Friday 1-6, Saturday and Sunday 1 - 5, Closed Monday's for cleaning). The pool has life guards and is still a little rough for wear, but still in great shape for swimmers of all age. It's max depth is 3 feet. There are some dress code issues (Only white t-shirts are allowed into the pool and men must wear swim trunks and not sport or basketball shorts, city rules). A word of warning, take flip flops and be careful on the concrete, It is uncoated and excessively hot to walk on during our Missouri summers.
I can't wait for winter and I will update this review for the parks winter festivities. read more