#57 – Rosedale Memorial Arch
Park Dr, Kansas City, KS 66103
Cost: Free
Features: Scenic views of the city, picnic tables, green space.
Good for: Pretending you’re in the streets of Paris.
Tip: Visit around dusk, the Arch offers great views of the sunset.
Like the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, the Rosedale Memorial Arch is a memorial for those Kansas Citians who served in World War I. Inspired by Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, the Rosedale Memorial Arch is located in Mount Marty Park in Midtown, Kansas City.
The History of the Rosedale Memorial Arch
The Rosedale Arch was dedicated in 1921, specifically to the men of Rosedale, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas, who served in World War I. The Arch was even designed by a local Rosedale resident and soldier, John LeRoy Marshall whom had sketched the Arc de Triomphe during the War.
After an extensive renovation in the late 1980s, a historic marker was dedicated under the Arch to honor the soldiers of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. The monument is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
The arch reads “Erected by the people of Rosedale in honor of its citizens who answered their country’s call and served under arms for the triumph of right over might in the world war”.
How to Get to the Rosedale Memorial Arch
Like the Kansas City Scout and Kaw Point, the Rosedale Memorial Arch can be a little tricky to find.
I entered the Arch into my Google Maps, and it got me right there. However, if traffic is busy (which it usually is during rush hour), expect a little difficulty. Take the Rainbow Blvd. and Southwest Blvd. exit off I-35. From Southwest Boulevard, turn on Rainbow Extension and then turn right on Booth Street. At the top of the hill, there is a semi-hidden entry road (Memorial Drive), where you will find the tranquil Mount Marty Park and the Arch. In the park, there are hiking trails, picnic tables and lots of benches to enjoy the view.
In the midst of a cold spell in Kansas City, I was the only visitor in the small park. In warmer months, the small park would be a great spot to go for a walk or have a picnic. It’s also close to the sprawling University of Kansas Medical Center, so it’s a great retreat for patients’ families.
Head to the Rosedale Memorial Arch for spectacular views of Kansas City and a great space to enjoy a tranquil little park. xx, Libbie.
