Hobby Hill Park

Gladstone, Missouri

How does this project advance the three pillars of sustainability — social equity, economic vitality and environmental stewardship?

Social Equity: By providing park facilities to an area of the community identified in the Comprehensive Plan as being underserved, and promoting multi-generational types of play, access and activities ranging from passive to active.

Economic Vitality: Hobby Hill Park is a genuine enhancement for the community character and is a significant re-investment in the community, demonstrating that Gladstone continues to be a leader in revitalization within the metropolitan area.

Environmental Stewardship: The focus of the improvements was to enhance and provide access to the riparian corridor and wetland, revealing a hidden gem in the upper-Line Creek watershed. The restored wetland will provide additional water quality improvements for the largely urban watershed. All plantings are native, with extensive efforts given to habitat protection and removal of invasive plants. Improvements have included telling this story to visitors of Hobby Hill Park.

Project Goals:

The framing goals for the project were to address the Level of Service needs identified in the Community Parks Comprehensive Plan; provide access to a diverse natural area; and improve the safety, access, and awareness of the underutilized park facility. In the past 30 years, it had become overgrown with invasive plants and the lack of access made the area unsafe and difficult to manage.

Project Description:

Located in northwest Gladstone, Hobby Hill is a 32-acre park that since the mid-20th century has served as a natural respite and getaway for residents, scouts and school groups — both as a private property and public after Gladstone acquired it in the early 1970s.

The Parks Comprehensive Plan identified the park as being underutilized and not well known to the community. Additionally, the northwest area of the city was lacking available park facilities.

In 2015, the city developed a master plan for Hobby Hill. The community determined that the park’s unique, natural character should shape the use of the park, while providing a multi-generational experience. The first phase of the Master Plan gives access to the park from the west, a multi-generational playground, walking trail and wetland. The wetland is a central feature and includes educational interpretive signage around the trail.

Community Benefits and Lessons Learned:

The Hobby Hill project provides much-needed park facilities and includes a variety of activities not currently featured in the Gladstone park system. The multi-generational activities allow a range of users to benefit from the new trails and natural park setting.

By opening the western side of the site, the park safety, visibility and security is improved. Increased activity within the park means more users throughout the day, further increasing park safety.

The partnerships developed throughout design and construction resulted in complementary layers of multi-generational activities within the park. With this diversity of activities, the park can support the community at large, providing something for everyone.

Funding Sources and Partnerships:

The city funded the project through Park funds and partnered with the JJK Children’s Foundation, which was a close collaborator from the Master Plan through Phase one design. The foundation donated funds to construct a special reflection node butterfly garden along the park trail. Additionally, the Missouri AARP donated funds and provided input on the multi-generational play areas specific to adult fitness/play.