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
Play4All in City Park
Play4All is an inclusive, state of the art play area for children of all abilities in Leawood City Park. A truly inclusive and embracing play experience encompasses individual play elements as well as the overall playground environmental design. It addresses the developmental needs of the whole child by intentionally providing opportunities for Physical, Cognitive, Communicative, Social/Emotional and Sensory Development. We invite you to come to City Park and see the new, innovative playground.
Leawoof Dog Park
The Leawood Foundation raised money for sheltered seating and amenities for the Leawoof Dog Park at City Park. Leawoof offers different areas for small and large dogs. A dog paw wash station was recently installed thanks to a generous donor.
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.
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. As we know, the park offers many amenities for all Leawood citizens. The benches allow visitors to sit and enjoy the park’s expansive natural environment.
Leawood Foundation Brochure
Make a Contribution
Brick Campaign
Minutes
Board Members
Alice Hawk, Chair (06/2019)
Mayor Peggy Dunn, ex officio (2020)
Debra Filla, Council Liaison (2022)
James Azeltine, Council Liaison (2020)
Scott Lambers, ex officio
Chris Claxton, ex officio
Kevin Jeffries, ex officio
Susie Rawlings, Secretary
Mike Best, Treasurer
Marc Elkins
Mary Ann Waldenmeyer
Charles Lusk
Renny Arensberg
Susanne Teel
Michelle DeHaemers
Future Projects
- Park in north Leawood at 96th and Lee
- Renovation of old City Hall
- Permanent restrooms on the Tomahawk Creek Trail near 119th and Tomahawk Creek Parkway
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