Construction Begins on $1 Million North Terrace Lake Improvement Project

Neighbors, city officials, and park advocates gather at the groundbreaking ceremony

A new fishing dock, boat ramp, improved boardwalk, and better parking are headed to North Terrace Lake in Kessler Park after a groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning.

Neighbors, city officials, and park advocates gathered May 1 at North Terrace Lake in Kessler Park to mark the start of an improvement project years in the making. Shovels hit the ground on a $1 million-plus improvement effort that will reshape one of the Historic Northeast's most enduring natural spaces. 

North Terrace Lake has served the surrounding community for generations as a place to fish, walk, and find some quiet in the middle of the city. But like much of Kessler Park, it has suffered from aging infrastructure and underinvestment. Friday's groundbreaking signals a turning point.

When the project is complete — anticipated by late fall — visitors will find a substantially improved experience.

 The project includes 18 new parking spaces off Chestnut Parkway, a new boat ramp, a new fishing dock, an improved boardwalk, upgraded lighting throughout the lake area, and refreshed landscaping designed to enhance both the natural character of the space and the comfort of its users. 

A rendering of North Terrace Lake once completed.

Together, the improvements aim to make North Terrace Lake more accessible, safer, and more inviting for anglers, families, cyclists, and casual visitors alike.

Deputy Director James Wang of Kansas City Parks & Recreation described the lake as a refuge for residents looking to fish, bike, and enjoy the outdoors without leaving the city. 

"With over $1 million in improvements, this project reflects a long-term commitment to making North Terrace Lake cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for all," he said.

The project's origins are rooted in the community itself, first originating with a young Northeast neighbor. 

Officials break ground on the North Terrace Lake project

"This effort began as a PIAC request from a young resident who wanted to see better conditions at the lake," said Kansas City Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley, 3rd District At-Large. "It's a powerful example of how community voices can shape meaningful change." 

Hazley also recognized Sharon Folsom, the longtime PIAC representative for the 3rd District, for her steady work in securing state resources for the district's most pressing needs.

From that first request, the project grew through years of advocacy and collaboration. The Pendleton Heights and Scarritt Renaissance neighborhood associations played a central role in pushing the effort forward, as did KC Parks & Recreation, MU Extension, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Third District council leadership and the Kessler Park Conservancy.

Design work was led by Confluence, with Gunter Construction selected to lead the buildout. Parks Project Manager Angela Eley was recognized during the ceremony for her leadership in keeping the project on track from planning through to construction.

The Kessler Park Conservancy was proud to stand with so many partners at Friday's ceremony. 

Kessler Park spans more than 300 acres across several Historic Northeast neighborhoods, and North Terrace Lake sits at the heart of that landscape. Investments like this one matter — not just for the amenities they bring, but for what they represent: a shared commitment to a park and a community that values its natural spaces.