Entry No. 37 — the Kansas City file — filed under: outdoor
Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park (Dragon Park)
Known to locals as 'Dragon Park,' this inclusive playground features a giant, colorful concrete sea serpent sculpture weaving in and out of the woodchips. The park also features whimsical cartoon character statues spelling out 'Welcome' in sign language, and a pirate ship play structure.
The story
Drive down Gillham Road toward Hospital Hill and you might miss the creature lurking in the woodchips. The city map labels this patch of green as Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park, but you won't hear anyone call it that. To locals, it is simply Dragon Park, anchored by a massive, colorful concrete sea serpent whose body coils in and out of the ground like a landbound Loch Ness monster.
Following an inclusive playground overhaul that celebrated its ribbon-cutting on October 27, 2012, the park blends accessible play equipment with distinct public sculpture. Aside from the sprawling serpent, you'll spot a pirate ship play structure and a row of whimsical statues spelling out 'WELCOME' in American Sign Language. It is part neighborhood park, part roadside art oddity, and entirely worth a quick detour.
What it's like
Expect a compact, open-air spot right at 27th and Gillham with street parking nearby. The concrete dragon is sturdy and built for climbing, making it an easy photo stop. The grounds are set up for accessibility, so navigating around the sign-language sculptures and pirate ship is smooth. Bring a coffee or bakery run with you, as there are no food vendors on-site.
The move: Pick up some pastries from a nearby bakery and take a playful stroll through this park to admire the whimsical, hand-sculpted sea dragon and the sign-language statues.
- 📍 Hospital Hill
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 2601 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Union Cemetery — Located just 0.3 miles away, Kansas City's oldest public cemetery offers a quiet, historic stroll right down the road from the concrete serpent.
- Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium — Head 0.6 miles west to Union Station to swap outdoor oddities for immersive space projections beneath a 50-foot planetarium dome.
- Oracle Natural Science — Drive a mile northwest into the Crossroads district to keep the weird visual theme going with ethically sourced taxidermy, framed insects, and natural curiosities.
Good to know
Why is it nicknamed Dragon Park?
While its official name is Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park, locals call it Dragon Park because of the large concrete sea serpent sculpture undulating through the playground's woodchips.
Where is Dragon Park located?
It sits in Kansas City's Hospital Hill neighborhood at 2601 Gillham Road (corner of E. 27th Street and Gillham Road).
Is the park free to visit?
Yes, it is a public city park and completely free to explore.
What makes the park accessible?
Renovated in 2012 as an inclusive playground, it features accessible play structures—including a pirate ship area—and cartoon statues teaching American Sign Language letters.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: kcparks.org · roadsidearchitecture.com
last checked: 2026-07-21