The Municipal Farm

From Contamination to Conservation: A Plan for the Future

Abstract

The Municipal Farm is a 441-acre site owned by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, located in the heart of the Eastwood Hills neighborhood. Surrounded by important neighborhoods and regional assets, the former municipal jail and working farm property site holds great potential for the community. It is both a historic and environmental asset in Kansas City.

 Over the years, a range of factors—including accumulated city and industrial uses, and the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances in some areas, known as brownfield sites—have contributed to the site being underutilized. Today, Municipal Farm features a rich mix of natural elements such as waterways, wetlands, wooded areas, striking terrain, and pockets of development.

The Municipal Farm site in Kansas City represents a unique opportunity to revitalize a historically significant and environmentally rich area by addressing past contamination concerns and transforming it into a sustainable, community-driven asset that blends ecological restoration, urban development, and public engagement.