Landscape Architect Articles

Kathryn Lyon Flora Park: Nature and Community05-16-24 | Feature

Kathryn Lyon Flora Park: Nature and Community

Olathe, Kansas
by Aaron Schmok, LASN

Kathryn Lyon Flora Park, located in southeastern Fairway, Kansas, is the second municipal park in the City of Fairway's system. The half-acre park was designed by landscape architecture firm Landworks Studio and includes a 3,600-square-foot playground, a pond-less waterfall, shelter, walking paths, and open spaces. This park was created and inspired by Kathryn Lyon Flora, a creative fashion designer, young professional, mother, and daughter of a nearby resident who succumbed to cancer. Flowers and plants with colors and textures Kathryn loved were selected. The overall design was inspired by the lack of sidewalks and gathering spaces in this neighborhood when Kathryn was growing up on the street. Her parents wanted to develop a space where kids could learn to ride their bikes safely and families could meet and have a picnic or enjoy the interactions.

A split rail fence, which is the city standard used to delineate park spaces, encloses the park. Stella de oro daylilies and Russian sage was placed throughout the project, including by the park signage which is consistently themed througout the city.

The team's goal for the playground was to theme the space and play elements to replicate nature. This theme is found in the turf safety surfacing that extends into a mound with log and boulder steppers. The mound leads up to a 48' deck slide structure which creates a variety of vantage points for playground users. The experience of climbing the turf mound, then running or rolling down the hill adds additional play value to the otherwise flat park property.

Continuing the nature themed play, the team added a glass fiber reinforced concrete climber, called AdventureScapes, which stands 74" tall. This structure, and every play element in the park, was supplied by Landscape Structures, Inc. An oak leaf shaped balancing element, aptly named Oak Leaf Wobble Pod, makes another nature and play connection.

The concrete path is segmented by an elevated boardwalk composed of western red cedar, allowing a water feature to begin at the high corner of the site and flow down to a low point where it recirculates into the fountain system. The park features a combination of deciduous plant materials as well as evergreen shrubs and trees for screening and year-round interest. A shade structure with a swing bench overlooks the playground. The strucuture is 9'4" tall and made of yellow pine with a powder-coated steel seat.

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The Kathryn Lyon Flora Park project began with a shared vision to transform an empty lot into a vibrant community space. Selected by the City of Fairway, Kansas, Landworks Studio, a landscape architecture firm from Olathe, Kansas, embarked on a mission to provide design, engagement, and construction administrative services for the city's new park. This endeavor was made possible through the generous donation of Paul and Susie Lyon, who sought to honor their late daughter, Kathryn Lyon Flora, by creating a safe haven for neighborhood children to play and families to connect.

These generous donors provided the funds to design and construct this much-needed green space. Having raised their children in the neighborhood, the donors recognized the challenge of transforming this space which had been void of sidewalks safe for strollers or bikes. Now with grandchildren in the area, Paul and Susie Lyon saw an opportunity to provide a beautiful, walkable gathering space.

The park, completed in May 2021, stands as a living tribute to Kathryn, offering a range of amenities including a pond-less water feature, colorful plant materials, play equipment, a shelter, and a swing for both children and adults. Its compact design and thoughtful layout cater to the diverse needs of the community, attracting regular and heavy usage since its inauguration.

Fairway had only one park for its residents until the completion of Kathryn Lyon Flora Park. The land for this park had been privately owned and vacant, intended for a home that was never built. Observing the lack of recreational spaces in their neighborhood, the Lyons recognized an opportunity to benefit the community, so they purchased the property in honor of their late daughter Kathryn, who lost her battle to cancer.

The Park:

Kathryn Lyon Flora Park spans a half-acre and was designed to seamlessly blend into the established neighborhood which features trees overhanging nearly every inch of the road that is dominated by foot traffic despite having no sidewalks. Behind and between the trees are picturesque homes varying in size and color, all quietly and peacefully watching pedestrians enjoy the safety and beauty that the shelter of their neighborhood provides.

The park was designed to be integrated into the nature and structure of the community. This connection is found in the 3,600-square-foot playground space which was given a nature theme to blend into the surrounding landscape, and a looped sidewalk that allows the predominately walking and biking traffic to circulate in and through the park. These sidewalk pathways, inspired by the lack of paved walkways in the neighborhood during Kathryn's upbringing, provide a safe and accessible space for recreational activities.

Playground and Recreation:
Kathryn Lyon Flora Park boasts numerous amenities and features designed to cater to the diverse needs of the community. The park encompasses a playground for children of all abilities, short, paved trails for bike riding and strolling, a water feature surrounded by perennial plantings, a covered swing for adults, and a picnic shelter with tables.

Flowering shrubs and perennials offer a diverse array of colors and textures that are strategically incorporated throughout the park, creating a vibrant and inviting atmosphere. The inclusion of nature-themed play elements, such as mounds, boulders, and logs, further enhances the park's immersive experience, encouraging children to engage in imaginative play and exploration.

The architectural and design details of Kathryn Lyon Flora Park reflect a meticulous attention to detail and a deep appreciation for the surrounding landscape. The park's playground, supplied by Landscape Structures, features a 48" deck height slide and AdventureScapes play elements crafted from glass fiber reinforced concrete. These elements are connected by artificial turf safety surfacing, natural grass, and a boardwalk constructed from Western Red Cedar, providing visitors with a safe and engaging play environment.

The park's color scheme, characterized by green, brown, and vibrant floral hues, seeks to replicate nature's beauty and diversity. Flowering shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses, carefully selected to thrive in the local climate, add pops of color and visual interest throughout the park. Additionally, the inclusion of shaded benches, custom-built swing and shade structures, and split rail fencing further enhances the park's aesthetic appeal and functionality, creating inviting spaces for relaxation and socialization.

Project Outcome:
The Kathryn Lyon Flora Park serves as a testament to the transformative power of community-driven initiatives and the enduring legacy of those who seek to make a positive difference in the world around them. Through the concerted efforts of Landworks Studio, the City of Fairway, and the Lyon family, the park has become a cherished landmark and gathering place for residents and visitors alike. Since the park's opening in May 2021, visitors have enjoyed the winding paths, nature playgrounds, and colorful landscapes that stand as a living tribute to Kathryn's memory, embodying her spirit of generosity, compassion, and love for her community.

Team:
Landscape Architect: Landworks Studio
Water Feature: Water's Edge Aquatic Design
Civil Engineer: McAfee Henderson Solutions (Now Benesch)
Contractor: MegaKC