View High Drive North’s Block Party Builds Safety, Connection, and Community Pride
In September 2025, neighbors from across View High Drive North gathered at Bent Tree Park for their annual Block Party in the Park—with a Purpose. What looked like a day of food, fun, and music was also a strategic act of violence prevention—strengthening neighborhood bonds, rebuilding trust, and connecting residents with the people and resources working to make their community safer.
Supported by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Health Department’s Violence Prevention Fund and administered by Community Capital Fund through the Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods (STRONG) program, the event reflects the city’s Blueprint for Violence Prevention, which calls for investing in prevention and community resilience—especially through resident-led connection and engagement.
More than 130 residents came together for games, food, music from Pure Sweetness Band, and plenty of laughter. Guest speakers—including Councilwoman Ryana Parks-Shaw, Councilman Darrell Curls, John Sharp of the South Kansas City Alliance, Captain Jonas Bachman of the KCPD, and Joe Williamson from the Kansas City Health Department—shared updates on neighborhood safety efforts, local improvement projects, and ongoing violence prevention work across South Kansas City.
Residents also connected with resource tables featuring KCPD, MOCSA, Rose Brooks Center, and Justice Partners, learning more about services that promote family safety, victim support, and community wellbeing.
“You guys sure know how to put on a good party! Our family very much enjoyed ourselves today. Thanks for all you do!!!” – Dana Madasz, neighbor
“This was a great event. Your association really does a good job! Thanks for inviting me to speak to your neighbors.” – John Sharp, South Kansas City Alliance
The event’s purpose was clear:
Build stronger relationships among residents
Improve neighborhood safety and awareness
Connect neighbors with key local and city resources
By fostering belonging and collaboration, the block party addressed a key principle of the Blueprint for Violence Prevention: where we live and play—building strong, thriving, and connected neighborhoods as a foundation for a safer Kansas City.
From children laughing in the bouncy house to neighbors meeting for the first time, the energy at Bent Tree Park reflected what prevention looks like at the ground level—when people come together to look out for one another.
The View High Drive North team plans to continue building on this success with future events that further engage residents and strengthen follow-through on participation.
When neighborhoods come together, safety and connection follow. That’s the STRONG model in action.
Learn more about the Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods program.
