FAQs | Brush Creek Cultural

What is a Cultural Heritage Trail?

A cultural heritage trail is a path or route linking significant items of an area’s heritage or history. The trail may include markers or signs explaining the cultural significance of the area, such as people, events, historic landmarks, or monuments. Cultural heritage trails can also include guided tours led by experts to provide more in-depth information and context about the cultural heritage of an area. They are also used to promote and preserve cultural heritage sites, and they are popular in many tourist destinations around the world.

What is the Brush Creek Cultural Heritage Trail project?

The Brush Creek Cultural Heritage Trail is envisioned to be a series of interconnected nodes that tell the story of the American Civil Rights Movement and the Black experience in Kansas City both nationally and at the local level. The completed project and programming are intended to draw visitors to the Cultural Heritage Corridor in Kansas City, Missouri from the metropolitan area, other states, and other countries for inspiration, reflection, and education. Artwork is a key component to convey this important historical record. Interpretational materials at the nodes will be designed and installed to facilitate the development of educational programming.

Where are the project boundaries?

The Brush Creek Cultural Heritage Trail spans approximately one mile along the Brush Creek Greenway in Kansas City, bordered by Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard on the north, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard on the south, roughly The Paseo on the west, and just past Cleveland Avenue on the east.

How is the project being funded?

The project is funded by a $1 million grant from the Kauffman Foundation, plus $400,000 from the City of Kansas City, Missouri’s One Percent for Art program.

How will sites and stories be selected to become part of the trail?

Community members are encouraged to submit nominations of events and individuals they think should be recognized at one of 14 trail sites. From the pool of public submissions, a project steering committee, along with professional historians, will evaluate every submission and decide on the 14 sites or themes.

Submission Details

How can I submit an event or individual to be honored at one of the sites?

You may nominate as many events or individuals as you would like! Community members are asked to submit their nominations one of the following ways:

ONLINE – Visit the project website at www.brushcreekculturaltrail.com and fill out the Cultural Heritage Trail Idea Submission Form found here: Submit Your Idea.
EMAIL– Email the project team at gina@parsonkc.com. Your email must include: Your name; your email address; your ZIP code; name of event or element or person to be honored; a brief description of the event, element or person; a description on why this event, element or person should be a part of the Brush Creek Community Heritage Trail. Download a PDF of the submission form here.
U.S. MAIL – Print the Cultural Heritage Element Idea Submission Form and mail your submission via U.S. Mail to: Parson + Associates, ATTN: BCCHT Submission, 1780 Woodland Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108. Be sure to include honoree name or event, a brief description of the individual or event, an email address or phone number where you may be contacted and your name (optional). Submissions must be postmarked by March 31, 2023.
PRINT – Print the Cultural Heritage Element Idea Submission Form and drop off to KC Parks & Recreation, 4600 East 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64130 by March 31, 2023. Download a PDF of the submission form here.