Lykins Park NEKCMO

This is Lykins Park.It was once the neighborhood hangout. It boasted a pool , tennis courts, basketball courts and a play ground.

It's Center stood just across the park at the wall, In the summer time the kids would leave the pool at noon to get a free sack lunch.Then when the new center opened the kids would walk to it and get a free hot lunch from the cafeteria.

It was the Center of the Community . Families would meet for reunions and BBQ's . The park was even lit up at night for softball games and other gatherings.

Sadly once the center closed, the park then deteriorated soon the neighborhood began its fast decline.Notice the sign it says no alcoholic beverages in Spanish FIRST.This is the sign of the times in KC.

Back in the 70 and 80's though the boys in the neighborhood used to line the stone wall and wait on the other kids come and hang out.It was a sure place to meet up with your friends.

Gone are the days when the kids filled this park with laughter. Gone are the days when children could safely play or shoot hoops after dark. Now after dark all there is is shootings.

Near the start of the video is Independence Ave and Wilson road, the homeless wait all day at that bus stop. This one has a guitar and his friend has a Santa hat on. It is the new face of Northeast KC.

At the beginning of the video ,it is the wall on 9th and Hardesty. The peace wall.

The Saint John Garden is also featured in this video, Yay for them in keeping KC fed and beautiful.

The Git n Go is also featured in the video , good for them for staying in KC for so long.Honest I dont know how they do. I see they changed with the times too & now have Hispanic signs nd paintings up too .

How in the world did NEKCMO get like this? I am not lying when i say it was once a safe place to raise a family, where everybody knew everybody.
There was a time when driving on 9th or the avenue or sitting in Lykins meant HOME.

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