Oppenstein Park Packaged Proposals by Kansas City Design Center

Kansas City Design Center

OPPENSTEIN PARK PROPOSALS

Overview

PROJECT BACKGROUND

WHO WE ARE

The Kansas City Design Center is an interdisciplinary urban design collaborative made up of architecture, planning, and design students embedded in downtown Kansas City. In partnership with Kansas State University, we operate as a public interest design studio rooted in the urban core and have been advancing this work for 18 years. .

We work alongside civic leaders, neighborhoods, and industry partners to address real challenges facing our city. Through hands-on research and design, we imagine a future Kansas City that is more equitable, resilient, and connected and turn ideas into clear, actionable proposals that help move projects forward.

THE PROJECT

This spring, we are exploring ways to welcome visitors to Kansas City in Summer 2026 through a public park activation at Oppenstein Park, our neighbor and an important civic space in the heart of downtown. Students have developed 17 initial design proposals that reimagine how the park can support gathering, visibility, and celebration during this exciting moment for the city. These concepts will be presented to Jackson County Parks, which will select one proposal to move forward into further development.

Summary

SAMPLE OF STUDENT PROPOSALS

PROPOSALS

Students have developed a series of short-term installation proposals designed to support existing public programming at Oppenstein Park while creating new opportunities for vendors and flexible site furnishings. The goal is for the project to be installed in early summer and remain in place throughout the World Cup matches, helping the park serve as an active gathering space during this high-profile moment for Kansas City. The installation would be operated by four student interns in collaboration with potential vendors and the Downtown Council’s existing management team. The images shown represent a sampling of early student iterations and should be understood as a first round of ideas that can be refined through feedback and partnership.forward into further development.

Framework: KC Park Activation

GOALS

The goal of this proposal is to establish a framework to guide future park activation efforts in Kansas City. This framework will be piloted at Oppenstein Park and will focus on temporary park activations that inform long-term, permanent improvements and installations. By prioritizing community engagement and flexible use of space, the framework aims to enhance park utilization, foster a sense of ownership, and contribute to overall community well-being.

RESEARCH & BACKGROUND

Research shows that pop up parks are most successful and most likely to become permanent when users experience a sense of spatial agency. This includes movable furniture, interactive elements, and features that allow people to shape and take ownership of the space.

Pop up parks can address social, cultural, and environmental needs, not just economic ones, while also creating opportunities for community connection and dialogue between public and private stakeholders. As Oppenstein Park is developed, it should foster ownership, strengthen connections among users, and encourage conversations that might not otherwise occur.

Allysn Jenkins

Oppenstein Park Activation Framework

WHAT TO DO FIRST

The first step in the framework is analyzing the park’s existing conditions. At Oppenstein Park, the physical infrastructure is well maintained and in good condition. However, observed user behavior suggests the space is primarily used in a utilitarian manner rather than as a recreational destination. Most activity consists of dog walking, cutting through the park as a pedestrian shortcut, and occasional lunchtime seating. This indicates that while the park functions adequately, it is not yet fully activated as a social or cultural space.

The second step is zoning the space in a way that builds on current patterns while expanding opportunities for engagement. The proposed site plan organizes the park into three flexible zones: a vendor space, a performance and exhibition space, and a green space. Rather than rigid programming, this zoning strategy creates adaptable areas that can support layered uses and evolving community needs.

ZONING SITE PLAN

The third step is envisioning activation. With spatial intentions established, the framework moves into ideation—imagining how temporary interventions can bring the zones to life. The accompanying photomontage demonstrates three possible activation scenarios for each “zone.” Proposed ideas emphasize affordability, spatial agency, inclusivity, and cultural relevance. These interventions are designed to be engaging and dialogue-driven, encouraging visitors to slow down, interact with one another, and experience the park as a place of connection rather than simply a space to pass through.

This final proposal for oppenstein park is divided by each of the zones previously established. For the green space,it should be primarily modular site furnishings, yard games, a photo area, and shading devices. For the performance and exhibition space, musicians, artists, performers, event programming, and generally used as a rotating exhibition space. Lastly, for the vendor area it should be food trucks, farmers market style stands, pop up shops and generally vendor activation. I believe that this activation will serve as a good pilot run to see how people react to activiation within this park. Community engagement within this space will allow the city to get information on what residents would like to see.

image created using google gemini

What are the current usage patterns (who, when, and how)?

What are the physical conditions and accessibility of the park?

What is working well, and where are activity gaps?

Are there governance or management limitations?

What barriers limit safety, inclusion, or broader use?

INSTALL

Conﬁrm community support and stakeholder approval.

Secure long-term funding and partnerships. Finalize permanent design and construction plans.

Obtain required permits and approvals. Transition successful temporary elements into permanent installations.

Establish a long-term maintenance and management plan.

ITERATE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7a 7b

Repeat Steps 1–6 using insights from evaluation. Gather stakeholder feedback on needed changes.

Reﬁne design, programming, or zoning as needed.

Shift resources toward successful elements. Test adjustments and identify what can scale or become permanent.

Where are the primary zones of opportunity, and what purpose could each serve?

Which spaces are best suited for speciﬁc types of activation?

What interventions can be implemented immediately or tested affordably as pilot projects?

What strategies require coordination or governance rather than physical construction?

How can a temporary installation activate this zone and address its challenges?

How does the vision encourage users to slow down and engage?

How can the design foster spatial agency and shared ownership?

How might the space facilitate dialogue between public and private stakeholders?

What feedback do stakeholders have?

PARK ACTIVATION

FRAMEWORK

COORDINATE

What is the budget and funding?

What permits and insurance are required?

Are utilities adequate and ADA compliant?

Who manages operations and maintenance?

What is the timeline?

How will safety and security be handled? Which partners must be engaged?

Who used the space?

How many people used it? Which areas were most popular?

What interactions occurred?

What were the strengths?

What were the weaknesses?

What informal feedback was received?

How were safety and maintenance handled? Did the activation meet its goals?

Who is leading and coordinating on-site operations?

Are all permits, materials, and vendors secured before setup?

What is the setup and takedown plan?

How will communication and contingencies (weather, emergencies) be managed?

KC Park Activation Framework

Allysn Jenkins

UNDERSTANDING THE PARK ACTIVATION FRAMEWORK

The Park Activation Framework is a tool for planning, evaluating, and improving public space activations. It helps track who uses a space, how they engage, and what makes an activation successful. By providing structured guidance, it supports better design decisions, encourages social and cultural engagement, and informs future public space improvements.

CITATIONS

Fiveable. Public space activation and programming | Sustainable urban planning class notes. Framework. Activation + research. Ithy. Case studies of transformed public parks.

MDPI. (2018). Unique projects of a universal “public park making” trend viewed on the example of four global cities. Urban Science, 2(4), 107.

Oxford University Press. (2024). Neurourbanism and its influence on public outdoor spaces and mental health. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies. The Place Institute. Public space activation toolkit. Wikipedia contributors. Guthrie Green. In Wikipedia. Wikipedia contributors. Underpass Park. In Wikipedia.

Oppenstein Kit of Parks

GOALS

The intent of this proposal is to encourage open play and site reactivation using simple forms. With adaptable rest components, this will be a desirable place for current residents, pet owners, families, and World Cup visitors. Using the Kit of Parks is an affordable and practical approach for learning, play, resting, and congregating on a compact and transportable form.

MATERIALS

While the materials of Boston’s interation of Kit of Parks is not clearly idenified, their partnership with FEEK Furniture indicates a sustainable foam-based material that can be customizable colors that is fairly durrable. This could spark interest in adding other Kit of Parks kits in other parks within Kansas City, MO displaying other vibrant displays of the vast diversity across the city. The bright and vibrant yellow used in Oppenstien attracts users to visit the park and foster personalized interaction with the furnishings.

CORA COLE

Kit of Parks Assembly

INSTALLATION

This kit provides a convenient and affordable approach to reactivating Oppenstein Park for the World Cup. Collaborating with Merritt Chase, the firm that is associated with the kit, in purchasing the kit or creating a Made in KC product has an estimated cost of about $2200 leaving the remainder for other ideas or proposals to be implemented alongside it. The proposed daily operation for the kit is convenient for either a Downtown Coucil Ambassador or Kansas City Design Center Summer intern to bike the kit to Oppenstein and pack up said kit within five to ten minutes. This also removes any concern about overnight activity resulting in damaged or stolen pieces.

KIT OF PARKS

A KIT OF PARTS TO BUILD A PARK

Source: Boston Society of Landscape Architects and Merritt Chase: Nina Chase, Philip Dougdale, and Nick Steinkraus 2015

PRECEDENT IMPLEMENTATION

Plan

LOCATION

The location of the kit is purposefully vague because of the nature of supporting flexible and adaptable functions whether it be seating, open play elements for children and families, a game of Jenga or bean bag toos, or even obstacle courses for pets. The site plan highlights the intended placement of kit pieces, but this is not the required placement. Additionally, these pieces can be effectively used beyond greenspace reactivation. The kit pieces can also be moved onto the pavement during local live performances, accommodate space required for vendors and suppliment seating for other events among other purposes.

SITE

PLAN

SITE PLAN HIGHLIGHTING INTENDED FUNTIONS OF KIT PIECES

FLEXIBLE SEATING LAWN GAMES

OPEN PLAY

Shadows of Migration: Park Furnishing

GOALS

The goal of Shadows of Migration is to extend the themes of Celestial Flyways by translating bird migration and movement into a human-scale experience through light, shadow, and gathering. As the sun moves across the sky, colored shadows of flying birds shift across the ground, making movement and time visible throughout the day. The installation provides shade, encourages pause, and creates opportunities for informal interaction within Oppenstein Park.

MATERIALS

The installation uses colored acrylic panels with a frit pattern of flying birds, supported by a lightweight metal structural frame. The frame is stabilized using freestanding ballasted bases, allowing the structure to remain temporary without penetrating the ground. The acrylic allows sunlight to filter through while casting dynamic shadows onto the ground, reinforcing the concept of migration while balancing durability, transparency, and visual softness within the park’s predominantly hardscape environment.

JASMINE BATRES

Shadows of Migration Plan

LOCATION

The installation is situated near the southeast side of the Star Disk and aligned with a major pedestrian pathway through Oppenstein Park. Its placement responds to existing circulation while being positioned away from mature trees so that tree canopies do not interfere with the acrylic panels or their projected shadows. The installation remains visually secondary to the existing artwork while reinforcing themes of orientation and movement without obstructing views or park activities.

PARK FURNISHING WITH ENTOURAGE

Shadows of Migration Plan

The structure is designed as a modular overhead canopy system with integrated tables beneath, supporting gathering, rest, and everyday use. Its lightweight and temporary construction allows for efficient installation and removal, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing events, vendors, and seasonal park activities.

PARK FURNISHING LIGHTS

Integrated cove lighting is embedded within the structural frame supporting the acrylic panels, providing soft illumination during evening hours. The lighting enhances safety and visibility while subtly highlighting the fritted bird patterns, extending the experience of light and movement beyond daylight without competing with the park’s existing features.

The Oppenstein Jewel

GOALS

The goal of this proposal is to support the community by providing a performance space and a shaded place to rest, complemented by the existing flexible furniture in the park. The structure acts as a shimmering sculpture visible from the street, commemorating the Oppenstein brothers’ success in the jewelry industry and their foundation.

MATERIALS

The Jewel is envisioned as a framed structure made of steel with a shimmering metal chain-link fabric infill. The metal fabric serves as a shading device for the frame. It is attached in a way that allows the material to flow with the wind.

An alternative solution for the metal fabric is perforated metal. It can provide a similar chain-link pattern at a more affordable cost; however, it does not possess the same material properties that allow it to move in the wind.

ELLA FIGGINS

The Oppenstein Jewel

SITE PLAN

LOCATION

The Oppenstein Jewel is situated on the site where performances already take place. It is set five feet off the half wall to the east to ensure the stair remains accessible from the southeastern entry.

The Oppenstein Jewel

INSTALLATION

The Oppenstein Jewel is assembled off-site as a single piece and placed onto the site. The integrated benches on either side of the structure provide sufficient weight to anchor it, eliminating the need to modify the site.

Parts

Scale Model

Flightpath: Site Furnishings

GOALS

This installation creates a colorful cove that brings vibrancy and identity to the park while providing flexible seating for events, performances, and everyday use. By integrating canopy structures with seating bases the design enhances the experience of daily commuters and encourages visitors to pause and engage with the space.

MATERIALS

Flightpath is envisioned as a CNC-cut plywood installation. Each canopy measures 6 feet in diameter and features cutouts of local migratory birds, allowing shifting shadows to move across the ground throughout the day. The seating bases are 4 feet in diameter, providing comfortable allsided seating with ample room for multiple users at once.

The exterior of each base is clad in vertical wood slats to accommodate the curvature of the form and reinforce the circular geometry of the design. Once assembled, the installation will be painted in a variety of vibrant colors to energize the park. Circles of varying sizes and colors will also be applied to the ground in sidewalk paint, extending the visual language. The repeated circular design of Flightpath creates a cohesive dialogue with the existing art piece CELESTIAL FLYWAYS by Laura DeAngelis.

LAUREN BRUEGGEMANN

Flightpath Plan

LOCATION

The Flightpath is positioned along the most heavily traveled pedestrian route through the park. Many downtown commuters move through this space daily, often using it as a shortcut to cut the corner. By aligning Flightpath with this primary circulation corridor, the installation engages people in their existing routines and transforms an ordinary passthrough into a more experiential and enjoyable moment for everyday Kansas City residents.

Flightpath Variations

The bird cutouts in the canopies reference the same migratory species depicted in the existing migration artwork in the park, creating a visual and conceptual connection between the installation and the site’s established narrative.

PEREGRINE FALCON

BARN SWALLOW

GREEN HERON YELLOW BILLED CUCKOO

Flightpath Design

To ensure stability against high winds during summer storms, the seating structure utilizes a low center of gravity reinforced by heavy weight in the base. Using containers of water allows the structure to remain lightweight for easy transport and lifting during installation, only becoming fully weighted once filled on-site; these containers can also be easily drained for removal. As an alternative to water containers, sandbags can be utilized to achieve the same structural weighted base requirement.

The Flyway

GOALS DELANI LEARY

The goal of this proposal is to transform Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park into an interactive destination through a public art installation. By installing a series of hoops that follow two brightly painted migration paths along the park floor, the project aims to strategically guide visitors from primary entry points toward the central Star Disk sculpture.

INSTALLATION

The installation of the Flyway is designed to be simple and efficient due to its modular system and minimal site impact. Each hoop is prefabricated off-site with the steel C-beam and integrated LED ring, allowing units to be quickly placed with limited on-site labor and disruption. The wedge-shaped footings distribute loads across the plaza surface, avoiding deep foundations and preserving existing conditions. Repetitive connections and concealed electrical conduits enable a straightforward, plug-and-play assembly, so sections can be installed sequentially while the plaza remains accessible. Overall, the lightweight structure allows for fast deployment, easy maintenance, and potential future relocation if needed.

The Flyway Plan

LOCATION

The location of the design is flexible; The Flyway is centrally located within the Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park at the prominent downtown corner of 12th and Walnut Streets in Kansas City. The layout is strategically designed to draw pedestrians from the main intersection and street sides with the bright rings.

MODEL PHOTOS

The Flyway Plan

MATERIALS

The Flyway installation brings together structural metal, dynamic lighting, and interactive sensory technology to create an immersive yet constructible system. Each hoop is organized around a central steel C-beam that provides primary strength, while a circular array of programmable LED lights wraps the structure to produce vibrant, shifting color synchronized with the park’s existing lighting elements. Iridescent cord is layered around the frame, filtering and refracting the LEDs to generate a kaleidoscopic shimmer.

The hoops are stabilized by grey, wedge-shaped footings that distribute loads broadly across the plaza surface, allowing secure placement without intrusive foundations. Integrated motion sensors and audio components are concealed within the assemblies, triggering native bird sounds and responsive light sequences as visitors move through the installation. Together, the materials and assembly create a lightweight, modular system that balances durability, sensory richness, and ease of fabrication.

INTENTION

The intention of the Flyway is to operate as a subtle beacon that captures attention from the surrounding downtown business district and gently invites pedestrians into Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park.

Rather than competing with the site’s trees or nearby architecture, the installation is deliberately designed to feel thin, porous, and lightweight, allowing light, color, and movement to create intrigue without visual heaviness. The qualities of the materials and illumination produce moments of curiosity that draw people closer, transforming the park from a pass-through space into a destination. In this way, the Flyway balances presence and restraint, acting as an engaging landmark while still respecting the existing character and atmosphere of its urban context.

WiringinFooting

Starlight - Performance Venue

ANDREW BUI

GOALS

The goal of Starlight is to create a performance space that is operable throughout the day, creating a visual that casts a constellation pattern within the venue during the day, and outcasts it into the park during the night with electrical light. The venue is made to support performances in Oppenstein Park, while offering a place for work, relaxation, and play when vacant.

MATERIALS

The structure is composed of multiple steel scaffolding pillars held down by steel plates to weigh the entire structure down. The coverings are composed of a patterned cloth, with the pattern being punched out of the cloth and depicting a constellation pattern to reflect the art piece in the center of the park. The main stage is made of stacked pallets with turf on top to utilize old pallets to use as a slightly elevated zone for relaxation or play.

The interior will be illuminated by light bars tied back to the scaffolding to illuminate the space during the night, and the fabric will be tied to the scaffolding with rope. The intention of the materials chosen was to create an easy-to-erect/dismantle structure that can be rearranged with accommodate different performances if need be.

Starlight Plan

SITE PLAN

1/16” = 1’

LOCATION

The structure will be located on the lower south end of Oppenstein Park, as this location holds the most performances in the park. The installation will cover a 2000 sq. ft. area, but the front and back will be open for pedestrians to walk through the park.

ENTERING THE SITE FROM SOUTHWEST CORNER

INTERIOR OF SITE FROM SOUTHEAST CORNER

Starlight Program

CONCEPT - ILLUMINATION

The installation is intended to cover the site with a patterned fabric to cast a patterned shadow into the site during peak hours of the day and then glow during the night to cast a shadow out throughout the park. This pattern is reflective of the murial in the center of the park, relating to the constellations and their relation to the bird migration patterns within Kansas City

CAST FROM SUN

CAST FROM INTERIOR LIGHTS

DAYTIME SHADOW

NIGHTTIME SHADOW

SHADOW

- BIRDSEYE VIEW

MODEL

MODEL - NORTHWEST ENTRY

Pallet Parks

GOALS

The goal of this proposal was to use one element to provide different functions between day and night, as well as having the flexibility to be scaled down or expanded through the month depending on the number of vendors needed. At night, I wanted the elements creating the vendor spaces to come together to create one performance space for different programming and to store the materials in a more secure way.

MATERIALS

The park proposal uses wood pallets as an inexpensive and readily available building piece in different configurations to create a variety of vendor conditions depending on individual needs.

The pallets are doubled up and attached end-to-end into wall modules that are two and three pallets long. The modules are then connected at hinge points to provide sttructural rigidity at the perpendicular connections.

Alex Smith

Pallet Park Plan

LOCATION

There isn’t a defined location for the park intervention, and that is by design. Certain days out of the month might be built to support artist gallery space with more wall area to hang art, while other days might benefit more from an ordered stall configuration.

The amphitheater is designed to occupy the green space in the southeast corner of the site, built out of the consolidated pallets that are otherwised used to create the vendor stalls.

This allows for the park intervention to be scaled up or down for a park or street of any size, housing any number of events with different levels of organization.

Pallet Park Plan

INSTALLATION

By keeping the pallets connected to each other in modules of 4 and 6 pallets (2 and 3 pallets long), the pallets become more structurally viable for other configuratiuons that might be multiple pallets tall. Also, keeping the pallets consolidated into larger heavier modules makes it less likely that they are stolen by individuals without jurisdiction to do so.

View of Performance Stage

View of End-to-End Vendors

ZENITH: Site Furniture

GOALS

The goal of this proposal is to introduce a cohesive family of site furnishings for Summer 2026 that enhances comfort, encourages gathering, and reinforces the park’s identity. Drawing from the site’s celestial flyways, the furnishings translate arcs of sky and movement into seating, shade, and places of rest at the human scale. Durable and adaptable for everyday use and seasonal events, the intervention creates a welcoming atmosphere that invites people to linger while complementing the park’s existing features.

MATERIALS

The material palette for ZENITH is centered on warmth, adaptability, and community expression. The primary structure and seating elements are crafted from stained lumber, chosen for its durability, natural character, and ability to weather gracefully in an outdoor environment. The wood’s warmth softens the celestial geometries and creates an approachable, human-scaled presence within the park.

Stretched canvas panels reach a ZENITH and are integrated as flexible surfaces for murals, student art installations, and projection work in collaboration with Crossroads Academy and Kansas City Art Institute. This material introduces a changing layer of color and light, allowing the furnishings to evolve throughout the day and reflect neighborhood creativity. Together, timber and canvas create a balance between permanence and adaptability, grounding the intervention in durability while giving the community an active role in shaping the park’s visual identity.

ZENITH

JONAH HAMMEL

ZENITH Plan

LOCATION

The location of ZENITH is intentionally fixed, as its form draws directly from the geometry of the existing planter and extends that language vertically. Positioned within the park’s second tier, the installation maintains a long, slender profile that guides visitors inward without obstructing key sightlines, preserving safety and visibility at night. Accessible paths remain open on all sides, ensuring clear circulation and seamless integration with existing movement patterns while subtly encouraging new ones.

FORM AND MURAL

ZENITH

ZENITH Plan

INSTALLATION

ZENITH is a temporary installation designed to balance durability with adaptability during the World Cup and peak seasonal use. The timber elements are detailed for outdoor exposure, while the stretched canvas panels are easily replaceable to accommodate rotating artwork, projection needs, and potential vandalism. Modular components allow for efficient assembly and minimal specialized labor while maintaining structural stability. This approach supports temporary activation with the flexibility to return with updates to maintain, or temporarily deinstall elements as community programming evolves.

PRECEDENT OR MATERIAL CHOICES

ZENITH

Unfold: Park Vendor

GOALS SHAYE BUTLER

The goal of this proposal is to create a flexible space for day vendors during Summer 2026 that is open and inviting throughout the day, easily secured after hours, and designed to visually enhance the park. The structure aims to create a draw that activates the space, attracts visitors, and supports a range of vendors operating with limited utilities, while allowing for simple and efficient daily setup.

INSTALLATION

The installation is designed to be straightforward and efficient, allowing for easy assembly, daily operation, and seasonal removal if needed. Components are conceived for simple setup with minimal equipment, reducing installation time and labor while maintaining structural integrity and durability. At the end of each day, the operable elements can be quickly closed and secured, ensuring the structure remains safe and protected overnight.

Unfold Plan

LOCATION

The location of Unfold is flexible; it is shown here positioned in the back northern corner of the site. The installation has a compact 9’ × 9’ footprint, allowing for accessible walking paths on all sides and maintaining clear circulation throughout the park.

POP-UP VENDOR IDEAS

-Pet Vendor

-Fresh Flowers

-Garden Produce

-Fika Coffee KC

-HerCafe KC Matcha Pop-Up

-Pitchside Coffee KC

-Boutique

-Made in KC

-Vintage

-Sourdough Baked Goods

-Soccer Merch

Kansas City already has a strong culture of mobile beverage vendors and rotating pop-ups, particularly in downtown and Crossroads districts, making a foldable luminous vendor at Oppenstein Park contextually appropriate.

Unfold Plan

MATERIALS

Unfold is envisioned with a durable metal framing system and clad in polycarbonate panels; however, material selections can remain flexible depending on budget, availability, or evolving project goals. The polycarbonate would allow the structure to softly glow, diffusing LED light to create an inviting presence in the evening while remaining bright and welcoming during the day.

The structure is fully operable, allowing panels to open and close with ease to accommodate daily vendor setup, ventilation, and security. Overall, the material strategy prioritizes durability, adaptability, and visual impact within the park setting.

Metal Cap

Connector

Metal Frame

LED Strip set between panels Screw

Polycarbonate Panel

VENDOR NOT ACTIVATED

Drift

GOALS

The primary goal of the installation is to create an immersive, experiential environment that transforms a simple pathway into a moment of engagement. Rather than functioning as a static sculpture, the piece is designed to be moved through, experienced from multiple perspectives, and activated by light, wind, and human presence. It encourages visitors to slow down, look up, and reflect on collective movement—mirroring the behavior of a flock where individual elements operate independently but contribute to a unified whole.

MATERIALS

The installation utilizes recycled plastic bottles as the primary suspended elements. Individually lightweight and translucent, the bottles allow natural light to pass through while catching reflections and casting dynamic shadows on the ground below. When tinted with UV-stable blue pigment, they reference sky, water, and migration routes while maintaining durability through the summer months.

Bailey Stretton

INSTALLATION

This project was intentionally designed with affordability and material responsibility at the forefront. By using recycled plastic bottles as the primary visual element, the installation significantly reduces material costs while also minimizing environmental impact. Instead of relying on custom-fabricated components or high-cost specialty materials, the design transforms everyday discarded objects into a cohesive artistic system. This keeps the budget accessible while still achieving a strong visual and conceptual presence.

Affordability is especially important for public art installations in community spaces like Oppenstein Park. Projects that rely on costly materials can limit scalability, maintenance feasibility, and long-term adaptability. By contrast, recycled bottles are readily available, easy to replace if damaged, and lightweight—reducing both installation labor and structural demands. Because the bottles are lightweight, the supporting steel framework can remain minimal, which further lowers fabrication and construction costs.

The installation is strategically located in the southwest corner of the park to maximize both experiential impact and environmental performance. Positioned along a primary pedestrian path, the artwork becomes something visitors move through rather than simply observe from a distance. As people walk beneath the suspended elements, they are fully immersed in the shifting light, shadow, and material movement, transforming a simple circulation route into an interactive spatial experience.

AMARYLLIS

GOALS

The goal of this proposal is to activates Oppenstein Park by drawing inspiration from Hispanic border flea markets, where temporary vendor spaces create vibrant, community centered environments. The structure is designed to support small vendors by providing an organized yet flexible space to set up, display, and sell foods and goods.

MATERIALS

Made from a stable wood frame and topped with a cloth fabric canopy, the installation creates a shaded overhead plane that protects vendors and visitors from the sun while adding color and movement to the park.

The structure is temporary, lightweight, and easy to assemble and disassemble, allowing it to adapt to different events and needs. Located at the center of circulation, the design maximizes interaction with pedestrians, encouraging spontaneous engagement and bringing energy, culture, and economic opportunity into the heart of the park.

ERICK HERNANDEZ

AMARYLLIS PLAN

SITE PLAN

POSSIBLE SITE LOCATION

LOCATION

The location for Amaryllis is flexible to the park as it can be easily set up and taken down. It can fit in most corner of the site but works best where circulation would be at its peak. This insures maximum interaction and people buying from the vendors.

APPROACH OFF 12TH AND WALNUT

VIEW FROM PARKING LOT

AMARYLLIS DESIGN

ASSEMBLY PROCESS

The assembly process is simple, quick, and highly efficient, allowing for flexible placement in a variety of locations. The structure is designed with a central pole connection system, where the legs easily insert into the base, providing strong stability while also concealing joints for a cleaner, more aesthetic appearance.

At the top of the pole, small connection points support the fabric canopy, which extends outward to the desired radius, creating a shaded overhead plane. This straightforward system makes the structure easy to assemble, maintain, and disassemble, making it ideal for temporary vendor setups.

CONNECTION TO LEGS

CONNECTION TO CLOTH FINISHED PRODUCT

PlayFrame KC

GOALS

The goal of this proposal is to create a memorable space for visitors coming to Kansas City to watch the World Cup. The PlayFrame is interactble with engraved wording tellinf facts about each visiting team and some Kansas City history, its also memorable because it provides a photo oppurtunity for visitors so they’ll never forget they’re time in Kansas City.

MATERIALS

PlayFrame KC is envisioned with a durable metal framing system and acrylic panels; however, material selections can remain flexible depending on budget, availability, or evolving project goals. The acrylic allows the sunlight to shine through the structure while also adding color to match the Kansas City World Cup Colors.On the floor will be concrete paint to make the Frame fun for kids visiting and to also bring people in from the sidewalk.

The structure is stationary and with a metal base, there will be no worry from being knocked over, and can handle weather conditons.

EVION RUFF

PlayFrame KC Plan

SITE PLAN

LOCATION

The location of PlayFrame KC is located in a center area of the park where it frames the views of its users, it acts a pause between the ongoing summer concerts and the park itsself. It goes along the upper layer of circulation making it an ease to stop by for a photo.

VIEW OF PLAYFRAME KC

PlayFrame KC Plan

INSTALLATION

The installation is designed to be simplistic and feaseble, it includes a basic configuration of hexagon acrylic with a metal frame, and metal brackets that secure it all in place. The entire structure will then sit on a metal base that is screwed in. The text on the the hexagons can be engraved to display facts about the soccer teams visiting the World Cup and Kansas City

Bird’s Eye

GOALS

MATERIALS

Bird’s Eye is created with affordable and accesible materials in mind. Wood pallets offer a stable material that can offer diverse needs and can be elevated with paint, stain, cushions, or turf. In this design proposal, they are painted and accessorized with cushions and plants.

Morgan Bratt

Bird’s Eye Plan

RENDERING DESCRIPTION

LOCATION

The location of Bird’s Eye maintains the regular space for performers and follows a soft curve pattern alluding to the exisitng artwork. The curved form allows for many viewers from different parts of the part, a Bird’s Eye view!

RENDERING DESCRIPTION

Bird’s Eye Plan

INSTALLATION

The installation is designed to be implemented easily and taken down easily while still being structural and providing adequate space for performaces. The pallets are stacked strategically to not require additional support while creating a unqiue backdrop. The pallets can be nailed together for futher stability.

RENDERING DESCRIPTION

The Heartline: Furniture

GOALS

The goal of the Heartline is to introduce a flexible, temporary installation that activates Oppenstein Park through movement, gathering, and visual identity. As a non-permanent structure, it is designed to test how sculptural seating can shape social interaction without requiring long-term commitment to a single layout or use. Its modular construction allows it to adapt to different locations within the park, supporting evolving programming and seasonal events.

MATERIALS

The Heartline is constructed from perforated metal panels paired with integrated wood seating to balance durability and comfort. The perforated metal forms the primary structure, providing strength, weather resistance, and a lightweight visual quality that allows light and air to pass through the spiral. Its porous surface softens the mass of the form while creating dynamic patterns of light and shadow throughout the day.

Wood is incorporated at key seating areas to introduce warmth and tactility where users directly interact with the structure. This combination enhances comfort while contrasting the industrial quality of the metal frame. Together, the materials create a durable yet inviting installation that is well-suited for outdoor use while maintaining a refined, human-centered design.

Brian Medina

Heartline Plan

SITE PLAN

Possible Site Locatiom

LOCATION

The Heartline is designed as a modular installation composed of three prefabricated segments, allowing it to be easily transported, assembled, and repositioned across different areas of the site. This flexibility enables the structure to adapt to changing program needs and spatial conditions within the park. Gaps between each segment create intentional openings that support circulation, allowing people to move through and around the installation while maintaining visual and physical connectivity.

Heartline Assembly On Elevated Platform

Hearline Assembly In The Center of Oppenstein Park

Heartline Assembly

INSTALLATION

The Heartline is assembled from three prefabricated segments that are delivered to the site and positioned in sequence to form the continuous spine. Each segment is designed with integrated connection points, allowing them to be quickly aligned and secured using bolted steel plates or concealed brackets. The pieces are set on a leveled surface , minimizing the need for permanent foundations and enabling easy installation and removal.

Once placed, the segments are joined to create a seamless ribbon form, with careful alignment ensuring structural stability and smooth transitions between parts. The modular approach simplifies construction, reduces on-site labor, and allows the installation to be assembled efficiently in a variety of locations while maintaining its intended shape and function.

ASSEMBLY PIECES

Aquila’s Nest

BRADY SMITH

GOALS

Looking forward to the summer of 2026, it is going to be a major year for Kansas City. Downtown, and our parks as a whole should be ready for the parties that will be joining us. As the host, we should provide the amenities that would make that experience of Kansas City so much more. The Nest would provide a temporary space for events occurring in Oppenstein Park this summer.

MATERIALS

The Nest is comprised of simple, affordable, and durable materials that are taken from it’s surroundings. The main structure backing the stage is a metal truss system that hides from the front view. This is what gives The Nest it’s distinct and intriguing shape.

Hanging from that truss is a metal panel cut out of the constellation, Aquila, which will be hiding behind the sun during the summer months from 10am-11am. At these hours the sun will cast a shadow on the ground of the cut out. At night, a group of photovoltaic lights will light the stars marked in the constellation, keeping The Nest active for the rest of the hours in the day.

Aquila’s Nest

SITE PLAN

LOCATION

Aquila’s Nest is placed on the site so that it will maximize the use and angle of the sun in contrast to Aquila placement in the sky during the summer months.

Between the hours of 10 am and 11 am, the sun will cast a shadow of the image depicted in the shell of the stage. This represents the arrival and leaving of the eagle that Oppenstein Park is looking to place along with it’s fellow avians for the semiquincentennial occurring this summer.

Functionally, the placement of the stage is to allow for circulation across the site, while still providing an area for a crowd to gather and enjoy the time at hand.

Aquila’s Nest

INSTALLATION

The installation of The Nest is split into three major pieces. The stage, frame, and shell. The stage acts as the main weight of the structure to keep it tied to the ground, while the truss system stands behind it. On the truss system is the back shell of the performance area. Exploded Render

Gather: Coffee Vendor

GOALS

This proposal transforms a 20-foot shipping container into a flexible coffee vendor designed to activate the park during Summer 2026. The structure creates an open and inviting presence throughout the day, encouraging gathering and social interaction, while allowing for secure closure after hours. Designed to operate with limited utilities, the vendor prioritizes efficiency, ease of setup, and strong visual impact, serving as both a functional amenity and a catalyst for park activation.

MATERIALS

The 20-foot shipping container coffee vendor combines functionality with visual appeal. It features natural wood countertops and a large hand-painted KC mural on the container itself. Surrounding the vendor, the green space includes colorful seating clusters, interactive KC-themed lawn games, planters, and small lighting installations, creating photogenic moments that draw visitors, encourage social interaction, and activate the park.

ANNA HURST

Gather Plan

LOCATION

The location of Gather is flexible showing the shiping container in the lower right corner with a few examples of the lawn games on the turf area and then the palette backdrops could be randomly located around the site depending on where they best fit.

OPPORTUNITY

PALETTE PHOTO BACKDROPS

PHOTO

Gather Plan

ACTIVATION

Large Lawn Games on Turf