Davis Grove

One of the unusual connections with the Missouri River can be found only steps from the base of the Town of Kansas Pedestrian Bridge. When ambling along the Riverfront Heritage Trail, one currently finds the historic remnants of circular fuel tank pads built in the 1940s, for storage in the event of enemy submarines invading the Missouri River. One aspect of the Port Authority’s mission is to improve the landscape and amenities at the riverfront for the surrounding community. To build on the Port Authority’s Sustainability Vision the fuel tank pads will be preserved and adapted into an entertainment venue for Riverfront patrons; the primary concrete pad will be an ADA compliant stage with natural stone theatre seating to the south. Venturing further east along the Trail, the entrance to Davis Grove is marked by signage crafted from historical barge concrete weights. The weights can be found in abundance at the Riverfront as they were left over from the days when barge traffic more aggressively plied the Missouri River. Off the path, a Zen influenced garden retreat can be found that is reached through pebble pathways and leading to interpretive seating also crafted from the concrete weights.

The inspiration for the Davis Grove project was spurred from the loss of a local urban champion and river district resident, Mr. Jim Davis. A longtime journalist for the Kansas City Business Journal and Kansas City Star, Davis covered development news throughout the metro without bias for many years. A memoriam to Davis is to include the planting of a Chestnut tree, within a landscaped picnic/lunching area overlooking the Missouri River.