Westwood Park

This is what neighborhood park should be like.It's a decent space... a couple of blocks wide by a couple of more blocks long. More than enough space for a small kids playground, a covered picnic area complete with an outdoor grill and a backstop and infield if you want to play softball... all surrounded by a nice little path for those who want a little exercise.You'll find all kinds of people out here. Some are exercising, some are playing with their kids and / or pets and others are just setting up camp and reading a book. It's a great place to kind of lean back, relax and let life come to you.

Had to update an old review from during Covid times; this used to be my neighborhood park and man-oh-man is it everything a park should be. Just a fantastic, peaceful gathering space and I'm so glad the city had the foresight to build this park and not just add more rows of houses. I have many fond memories of moseying down here with my daughter when she was a baby through about age 4 -- perfect playground for that age.Also my buddy Scout, my dog of nine years and I have been here with wind chills of -20, and on summer days in the 100's. There are so many friendly people and we sort of band together with our pups on the coldest days. We found community here with an organic, casual dog meet up group.. I still miss it, my new neighborhood doesn't have the same energy.You'll find it packed on snow days with sledders dominating the perfect sledding hill. Those first real warm spring days give way to people playing baseball, throwing frisbees and cooking out.My only knocks are that there needs to be better crosswalks around here. Cars really fly through this area, unfortunately, and the city could take some better precautions. Additionally there's no bathroom. Funny how when I lived a five minute walk from here I didn't mind, but now when we visit and there's nowhere to go, it's definitely more noticeable.Anywho, it's a true gem for this dense neighborhood.

Parks like this are a big part of why I love this city. While not as big or as diverse as its more famous cousin, Loose Park, this Westwood Park is the center of the West Plaza neighborhood and it has everything you'd need in a green space. There's a cute little playground that was recently upgraded to include a couple of fabulous saucer swings (fun for all ages), benches to hang out on while your kids play, and a water fountain with a bowl for dogs. Walking/running paths, big open spaces, trees, a much-used baseball diamond, and even the perfect sledding hill. There are also two park shelters that can be rented for events. On any given day -- even 15-degree days in the dead of winter -- you'll find neighbors from Westwood, Westwood Hills, and the West Plaza congregating here to talk and get to know one another, exercise, and play with dogs and kids. The thing about this park that will never fail to delight me is how built into the neighborhood it is -- sidewalks lead into side streets lined with trees and cozy homes. The hours between 4 and 8 pm see the sidewalks leading to the park filled with walkers and joggers.There's also a special fondness in this neighborhood for dogs and you really see that in action at this park, with neighbors chatting as their pups play and get their wiggles out. It's rare that we've encountered anyone truly unfriendly here. In fact, the only reason I give Westwood Park 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the lack of a true dog park. I know residents have tried to get one established before and I'm not sure why it hasn't been approved, but I think the one improvement that would truly make the entire neighborhood happy is if there was a fenced-in off-leash area. There's plenty of room for one and it would go a long way towards truly making this the perfect neighborhood play space.

The Little Park That Could!This park may not have all the bells and whistles as some of our fair city's other lovely parks but it offers up an experience that is reflective of the sublime West Plaza neighborhood. In the winter, there are hills for killer sledding. I mean, it's so "It's a Wonderful Life," all that's missing is a pond that is too thinly iced over so that little George Baily or some other well meaning child can save a life and then be deaf in one ear.In the warmer months, the park is pleasantly bustling--never too crowded. There's the perfect playground with swings and various climbing/sliding apparatus. I love to swing. What? It's one of life's simple pleasures no matter how old you are!Feeling a bit of cabin fever? Sit under one of the small pine trees and collect the fallen pine cones. Does wonders for the soul.There are also a bunch of paths for running or strolling or biking (great place to rip off those training wheels!) and of course letting your dog have a free for all and get the exercise he's craving. There are several sheltered picnic table areas and you can BBQ, too.On my last stroll through here, I encountered an adorable bunny romping through the grass. Of course, being a native New Yorker, my first instinct was "Oh no!! A rat!!," so I was overjoyed to realize I was wrong. Perfect park for my awesome neighborhood!

There are so many nice parks in this area and I believe that this is one of the top 3 to 4 parks in the midtown area! So close to everything you can work out near here you can relax here and have a party here and walk your dog off leash here pretty much do whatever you want that break the law!anyway try it if you ever want to go to a park; and, I hear during the winter time there's a huge hill you can sled down:) actually as a young child I used to go sledding down that hill every time it snowed;)

Westwood Park is in a lovely little part of Kansas City MO called the West Plaza. It's literally on the state line! This park is clean, has a playground, working water fountains for people and pets, gazebos, and grills. It's not the fanciest place but there are always families and people exercising here. It feels safe and I have never seen creepy folks or panhandlers or graffiti. Love it!

Beautiful park in a beautiful neighborhood. Neighborhood picnics happening all the time, the playground is always full of kids. Dogs meet for a little playtime too.

This was my first time there. A neighbor suggested we take our dogs, labradors, out there to run around. A great idea. Not that far, really clean, and friendly people. There were kids playing on the playground, other dogs running around, a few shelters with grills, and plenty of open, grassy areas for the dogs. I was excited to see all the paved areas for running. This is where you will find me training for my next race.

This park provides all with the quintessential park experience. I live within convenient walking distance so I may be biased, but I like to think of Westwood Park as one of the best wide open spaces that Kansas City has to offer its great citizens. Playground, walking paths, softball, gazebos with picnic tables, wide open spaces with the perfect hill for dogs to run and leap and frolic! Almost all the people I've encountered are so friendly. Just be careful of those who negligently ignore their dogs while not on leashes. That's probably the only negative thing I've experienced. But that's not a reflection of the park, just bad dog owners. This park is super duper great!

There is not enough shade for the real hot days. The playground for the small kids is pretty cool, but the baseball diamond is my favorite part of the park, although i never see anyone using it. I live very close, but find myself driving to Loose when it's hot so my daughter and i can get some relief from the heat under a shade tree.