See this new Kansas City park where skilled climbers can scale a 38,000-pound boulder
Officials from JE Dunn Construction and Port KC gathered in blustery winds for a ribbon cutting Wednesday for the new Riverfront Boulder @ Berkley, a new urban bouldering park on the Berkley Riverfront.
The project, funded in part by JE Dunn’s centennial $100,000 grant and supported by its Groundbreakers group, features a 38,000-pound granite boulder in a recessed pit with poured-in-place surfacing. The Canadian firm OnSite, which installed the 12-foot-tall boulder last week will return to Kansas City in 2025 to carve hand and footholds into the stones’ surface.
Bouldering is a type of rock climbing performed on small rock formations or artificial climbing walls without the use of ropes or harnesses on an area surrounded by a soft surface.
“This is really meant for people who are experienced climbers,” said Meredith Hoenes, Port KC Director of Communications, of the 12-foot tall boulder. “This is meant to give climbers a natural surface inside an urban setting, an outdoor option closer to home.”
Hoenes said crash pads and spotters will be recommended for climbers, which is for adults only. It will be open to all skill levels, with no equipment required.
The park, located on Riverfront Drive just east of the sand volleyball courts, also includes a natural play area for children that features smaller boulders.
Due to KC streetcar construction, park access, set to open to the public Thursday, is via a sidewalk across from the recently opened Origin Hotel Kansas City. Look for the signs that say Urban Boulder with an arrow point back to the west.
Future additions by January 2025 include an app-supported climbing route and a rope bridge.
This story was originally published November 21, 2024 at 7:48 AM.
