Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Thompson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Friends of Kaw Point Park (FOKPP) is a 501 c 3 organization established in 2006 to maintain and enhance Kaw Point Park in the Fairfax district of Kansas City, Kansas. The park is also adjacent to the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers.Our mission is to develop the Lewis and Clark Historic Park while engaging the community and preserving the site’s historic, cultural and environmental legacies. Our vision is to support the park and public through hosting events; leading clean ups; fundraising for improvements; restoring native flora; educating visitors about Kaw Point plants, animals and peoples; and advocating for conservation of Kansas and Missouri River watersheds.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Back in 2003, several volunteers got together to clean up Kaw Point Park. The Park had been deserted or abandoned for several years and we were cleaning and preparing it for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial that was coming to the Park.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Mr. Craig Thompson is a current board member for FOKPP and supervises the maintenance of the native wildflower gardens gardens and woodland restoration areas funded by several Unified Government Stormwater Education grants awarded to Friends of Kaw Point Park several years ago. Mr. Thompson has a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Kansas and is very knowledgeable concerning native plant species. Our Board consists of six other qualified individuals that assist with grant projects.
We, Friends of the Kaw Point Park have Cleanup Events from March to November. We have a schedule on our Website – Kaw point park.org
And on that website – there is an Event page where you will find the schedule.
Our scheduled Cleanup Event –
What happens on that day –
(1) Some volunteers pick up Litter and Trash
(2) Other volunteers work in the Native Wildflower Gardens
In 2017, We designed and developed “5” native garden beds and since then – We have planted around “50” native wildflower species.
During the growing season – FOKPP board members, myself and volunteers manage these Gardens.
(3) We have another project that we are working on in the Woodland Area of the Park.
IWoodland Restoration Project –
With this Project –
We are removing an invasive species called Bush Honeysuckle.
Bush Honeysuckle has taken over the woodland area of the Park.
They outcompete the native species like native bushes, grasses
Once this is done – we will restore the area with woodland wildflowers, grasses, sedges and understory trees.
Our goal is to remove all Bush Honeysuckle from the Park.
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing the progress of transforming Kaw Point Park into a beautiful place to visit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Kawpointpark.org
