Kansas City re-introduces park rangers to protect the land and the people
By Michael Jenkins
After a nearly two-decade hiatus, the Kansas City, Mo., Department of Parks and Recreation (KC Parks) is bringing park rangers back into the fold to assist with public safety and education.
The Park Ranger Unit consists of three uniformed personnel: Chief Park Ranger Rick Castillo, Timothy Bond, and Tyler Boice. These individuals have more than 60 years of combined armed law-enforcement and/or military experience, making them well-equipped to act as the main ranger presence in the city’s 221 parks.
The park department re-established its Park Ranger Unit with two primary goals:
- To improve public safety in the parks
- To reduce park-related call volume to the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD).
Across the system, several parks generate significantly higher emergency-call volume and 311 requests for service. One of these parks is Swope Park, considered the city’s “crown jewel.” At 1,805 acres, it is also the largest park and houses some of the city’s premier outdoor amenities, including the KC Zoo and Starlight Theatre. Although the park attracts many patrons looking to enjoy its amenities, it also attracts a variety of illegal activities that contribute to an overwhelming call volume.