This is a photo I took today in the Jacob Loose Park, two miles or less from my house. Today was maybe the most beautiful day I have ever experienced, honestly. I pity anyone who has not had the spectacular weather and the loveliest of springs we are having in Kansas City
I first heard of Loose Park my first Sunday at Broadway (also not too terribly far from the park) back in September 2000. One of the adult Sunday School classes made an announcement in worship that the members would have a picnic the following Saturday at the north end of Loose Park...and I, witty as always replied, "Or maybe its the loose end of North Park" which at least showed people I was listening. To me, Loose Park is the gem of all the Kansas City parks (and there are many.) The trees, the flowers, and most especially the roses that will come before long which were planted and continue to be nurtured and replanted by the Kansas City Rose Society.
However, I love Loose Park even more because of an urban legend that I heard about Mr. Loose from back in the 1920's. The land that now comprises the park had been purchased earlier in the century by a man who build a golf course and clubhouse on it. This golf club was very exclusive and was for the "upper crust" of the city. Loose was a successful business man who was one of the founders of what now is the Sunshine Biscuit Company. He was also Jewish. He loved golf and applied for membership at the Kansas City Country Club as it was called. He was turned down...guess why? Because the club did not accept applications from Jews. So a few years later, just after Mr. Loose died, Mrs Loose bought the country club and made it into a public park. I like this story. I really really like it.
When I walk around the park, or when I drive by it, which I do quite frequently, I always remember that story, I also remember that before the park and before the country club, the land had been a Civil War battlefield. From the bloodiness of war, to the segregation of a country club, to the the loveliest of the Kansas City parks, this land has blossomed into Something Beautiful indeed. God had a hand in all this, I know, and I saw that hand today in red bud and pear tress, in the Canadian geese and mallard ducks on the pond, and in those rose bushes that are beginning to sprout leaves. And I am grateful
I first heard of Loose Park my first Sunday at Broadway (also not too terribly far from the park) back in September 2000. One of the adult Sunday School classes made an announcement in worship that the members would have a picnic the following Saturday at the north end of Loose Park...and I, witty as always replied, "Or maybe its the loose end of North Park" which at least showed people I was listening. To me, Loose Park is the gem of all the Kansas City parks (and there are many.) The trees, the flowers, and most especially the roses that will come before long which were planted and continue to be nurtured and replanted by the Kansas City Rose Society.
However, I love Loose Park even more because of an urban legend that I heard about Mr. Loose from back in the 1920's. The land that now comprises the park had been purchased earlier in the century by a man who build a golf course and clubhouse on it. This golf club was very exclusive and was for the "upper crust" of the city. Loose was a successful business man who was one of the founders of what now is the Sunshine Biscuit Company. He was also Jewish. He loved golf and applied for membership at the Kansas City Country Club as it was called. He was turned down...guess why? Because the club did not accept applications from Jews. So a few years later, just after Mr. Loose died, Mrs Loose bought the country club and made it into a public park. I like this story. I really really like it.
When I walk around the park, or when I drive by it, which I do quite frequently, I always remember that story, I also remember that before the park and before the country club, the land had been a Civil War battlefield. From the bloodiness of war, to the segregation of a country club, to the the loveliest of the Kansas City parks, this land has blossomed into Something Beautiful indeed. God had a hand in all this, I know, and I saw that hand today in red bud and pear tress, in the Canadian geese and mallard ducks on the pond, and in those rose bushes that are beginning to sprout leaves. And I am grateful
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