Winnwood Park

Finding a beach during the dog days of summer can be a challenge for landlocked Kansas Citians, given the area isn’t known for its wave-side scenery. Though the area has plenty of smaller beaches, the quest for a destination often includes long-distance travel and can decimate vacation budgets. Reader Tyler Smith recently came across some old photos of locals wiling away long summer days at a picturesque beach, a mere 20-minute train ride from downtown. He asked “What’s Your KCQ?,” a partnership between The Star and the Kansas City Public Library, to help explain where the beach was located and what exactly happened to it.