Leawood Foundation

The Leawood Foundation funds charitable and educational amenities in our community that might not otherwise be funded with tax dollars. Our major focuses are to beautify parks and public areas, educate our young people, support historic preservation, and promote accessibility and safety.

Projects and Accomplishments

Leawood Trail Permanent Restrooms

The Leawood trails offer many opportunities for users to exercise and enjoy nature.  The Foundation is raising funds for permanent, His and Hers, seasonably controlled, restrooms adjacent to the North Lake.  This heavily used trail is located between City Park (106th and Lee Boulevard) and Tomahawk Park (119th between Mission Road and the Parkway).

The cost of the restroom is estimated at $375,000 with the City providing $140,000.  With your important donation, the project began this fall, with completion in the summer of 2023.

“Leawoof” Dog Park

The Leawoof Dog Park has been enhanced with the replacement of the heavily used Agility Course.  The course is now constructed of more substantial materials and stations.  Enjoy an improved way for your dog(s) to play!  Thanks to the numerous donors who made this project possible.

Play For All

Thanks to our citizens, local businesses, and Variety Children’s Charity, the All-Inclusive Playground in Leawood City Park became a reality in 2017.

The playground provides opportunities for all forms of childhood development through play.

I-Lan Park

I-Lan Park is located at 126th Street and Nall Avenue and is dedicated to our sister City of I-Lan, Taiwan. The foundation funded the addition of new signage for the park.

Gezer Park Projects

Gezer Park, at 133rd Street and Mission Road, celebrates our sister city, the Gezer Region of Israel. The design and features of the entire park are intended to educate visitors about the ancient history of that region and its cultural significance. Now that the Gezer Park children’s play area is in place, the foundation will focus on turning the park into an educational destination for area schoolchildren.

Prairie Lessons Sculpture Project

The “Prairie Lessons” sculpture, next to the historic Oxford School House in Ironwoods Park, honors teachers. This work of art represents a unique collaboration driven by the Leawood Foundation, Historic Commission, and Arts Council. Dennis Smith, well known sculptor of children, was commissioned to design a piece to represent the nurturing role teachers play in children’s lives and the contributions of one-room school teachers.

Prairie Lessons
Oxford Schoolhouse

Historic Oxford Schoolhouse at Ironwoods Park

Oxford School is one of the oldest schools in the state of Kansas. It opened in 1877 and continued to operate as a school until 1955. Donations to the Leawood Foundation helped relocate, preserve, and restore it in 2003.The Kansas Preservation Alliance selected Leawood as the recipient of a 2005 Award for Excellence in Preservation Advocacy for preserving the Oxford Schoolhouse.

Ironwoods Park Bench Project

This was the foundation’s effort to provide comfortable seating throughout the 70-acre park at 14701 Mission Road. The park offers many amenities for all Leawood citizens. The benches allow visitors to sit and enjoy the park’s expansive natural environment.

Bench

Contact Foundation

(913) 339-6700 Ext. 248

E-mail: leawoodfoundation@gmail.com

Minutes

2022

June 27, 2022 Meeting

2020

January 14, 2020 Meeting

2019

June 04, 2019 Meeting

March 05, 2019 Meeting

April 02, 2019 Meeting

2018

October 23, 2018 Meeting

June 07, 2018 Meeting

April 05, 2018 Meeting

March 01, 2018 Meeting

January 18, 2018 Meeting

2017

November 09, 2017 Meeting

September 14, 2017 Meeting

August 17, 2017 Meeting

June 08, 2017 Meeting

April 06, 2017 Meeting

March 02, 2017 Meeting

January 19, 2017 Meeting

2016

November 17, 2016 Meeting

October 20, 2016 Meeting

September 15, 2016 Meeting

August 18, 2016 Meeting

June 02, 2016 Meeting

April 21, 2016 Meeting

March 10, 2016 Meeting

January 14, 2016 Meeting

Board Members

  • Alice Hawk, Chair
  • Mayor Peggy Dunn, ex officio (2024)
  • City Administrator Diane Stoddard, ex officio
  • Susanne Teel
  • Debra Filla, Council Liaison (2026)
  • James Azeltine, Council Liaison (2024)
  • Michelle DeHaemers, Secretary
  • Mike Best, Treasurer
  • Renny Arensberg
  • Ken Selzer
  • Marc Elkins
  • Mary Ann Waldenmeyer

Future Projects

  • Park in north Leawood at 96th and Lee
  • Renovation of old City Hall