Kansas City opened its second public outdoor roller skating rink on Wednesday at Blues Park, delivering a $1.7 million facility near the historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. Despite rainy weather, community members gathered at 20th Street and Prospect Avenue for a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring performances, open skate sessions, and beginner lessons.
Blues Park Rink Opening Brings New Facility to Southeast Kansas City
The 16,000-square-foot outdoor rink is part of the city’s broader $400 million effort to revitalize the historic jazz district through infrastructure improvements and museum renovations, according to kcur.org. In addition to the skating surface, the newly completed $1.7 million project includes updated sidewalks, walking pathways, new restrooms, and a dedicated parking lot.
City leaders and community organizers marked the opening with demonstrations. Knejie Allen, founder of the Kansas City skating school SK8SHOT Studios, performed with group members to a medley of pop and R&B music. Allen noted that the central location helps connect skaters from both the Kansas and Missouri sides of the metropolitan area.
“Roller skating rinks are all around the outskirts of town, so having somewhere central like this? Big, big deal,” Allen told kcur.org.
The Blues Park facility operates daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, matching park hours. Because the site does not offer on-site skate rentals, visitors must bring their own equipment.
KCTV reported that local residents and organizers praised the addition for providing a safe recreational space in a high-population area. Dimitri Milligan, a community organizer who has hosted free skating events at Swope Park, told KCTV that the facility addresses long-standing requests from residents for youth activities.
“Last time we spoke, one of the things we stressed is we wanted to see the children have more facilities where they can have more things to do. And I like to believe they heard that,” Milligan told KCTV. “So I’m grateful to see it.”
City Officials Point to Prospect Avenue Investment and Youth Programs
Third District City Council member Melissa Robinson emphasized that the project represents tangible investment in the area. Robinson’s district encompasses Blues Park.
“This is about making sure that we have prosperity on Prospect,” Robinson told kcur.org. “This is not about lip service, this isn’t about just promising things. This is about delivering.”
The Blues Park rink is Kansas City’s second city-owned public roller skating facility. The first opened at Holmes Park near East 70th Street and Holmes Road.
Revitalization Efforts Across the 18th and Vine District
The opening at Blues Park follows a series of completed infrastructure and cultural projects under Kansas City’s “Revive the Vine” initiative. In May, the city celebrated the opening of a pedestrian mall in the heart of 18th and Vine that can be closed to vehicle traffic during festivals and special events. That same month, the city unveiled a $20 million parking garage at 18th Street and Lydia Avenue featuring 480 spaces.
The historic Boone Theater also reopened in May following an $8.7 million restoration. The theater now houses the Black Movie Hall of Fame and hosts pop-up events for local artists. Earlier in the year, the City Council approved $3.2 million in renovations for the American Jazz Museum, while the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum selected a contractor for a $35 million campus expansion project.
Looking ahead, SK8SHOT Studios plans to utilize the Blues Park facility for future skating events and lessons. “We’ve got to use this space, we’ve got to bring it to life,” Allen told kcur.org. “They did the hardest part of the work, which is laying all of this, doing the groundbreaking. And our job is easy; We just bring people together and have a good time.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the Blues Park Roller Rink
Where is the new roller rink located?
The 16,000-square-foot outdoor roller rink is located at Blues Park at 20th Street and Prospect Avenue, on the southeastern edge of Kansas City’s historic 18th and Vine Jazz District.
What are the operating hours and rules for visitors?
The rink is open daily from 5 a.m. to midnight, following regular park hours. There are no skate rentals available on site, so skaters must bring their own equipment.
How many public roller rinks does Kansas City operate?
The Blues Park facility is Kansas City’s second public roller skating rink. The city’s first public rink is located at Holmes Park near East 70th Street and Holmes Road.
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