Life’s ruff when it’s time to grab a bite to eat or meet up for drinks and your best friend has to stay at home. Well, man’s best friend that is. Port KC along with Kansas City developer Bear Bishop LLC are partnering to create a new play and meeting space for dogs and dog lovers at Berkley Riverfront. So say goodbye to those sad, puppy dog eyes and bring your pooch along to “Bar K,” a combination dog park, coffeehouse and bar.
Bar K
There are plans in place for two dog parks on the western edge of the Berkley Riverfront, one for small and one for large dogs. However, this will pawsitively go above and beyond the typical dog park experience. Prospective features include all-weather seating, recreational equipment, a dog washing station and several dining options including a coffee house and bar. Trained staff will be on hand to watch the pups outside so their owners can pop inside to enjoy a drink or healthy eat.
“Bar K is going to be a great additional amenity to the Riverfront” said Michael Collins, President & CEO of Port KC. “Many Berkley Riverfront Park visitors enjoy bringing their dogs to the park to run and play. This project gives us the opportunity to utilize ‘found space’ under the bridge, and convert it into an exciting, dedicated, vibrant new meeting space for dogs, dog enthusiasts and others in Kansas City.”
The proposed location of this park will revamp 2 acres of grassy fields and extend partly below the Heart of America Bridge. To complement the riverfront atmosphere, the coffeehouse will be made from repurposed shipping containers. This space will provide a multi-use retreat for dogs and dog owners in the downtown “muttropolitan” area.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the opportunity to build Bar K next to Berkley Riverfront Park,” said Leib Dodell, who along with David Hensley is co-managing partner of Bear Bishop LLC, the Kansas City-based company that is developing the property. “The site is absolutely spectacular, it’s centrally located and easy to access from anywhere in the KC Metro, and the bridge will provide year-round shade and shelter for our customers, both human and dog!”
Bar K will be a unique addition to the KC downtown area and will make taking your pup along truly a “walk in the park.”
“Pup-Up” Party
To kick-off this pawesome development, there will be a “Pup-Up” party on July 10 at the planned future Bar K location. There will be a temporary dog park, music, food trucks, beverages by Westport Ale House, giveaways, wading pools, tennis balls and other vendors.
This event will also kick start a crowdfunding campaign to raise additional money still needed in order to fully realize this unique location for dogs and dog lovers. There will be multiple levels of donation. More details will be on the official Indiegogo page.
The day will also feature a 5K to run with your dog or on your own. If your pup isn’t the “running type,” staff will be on hand to watch over the animals during the race. The course runs on a scenic loop along the Riverfront Heritage Trail and under the Bond Bridge, the Heart of America Bridge and the historic AS&B railroad bridge.
The event runs from 5 to 9 pm, and the 5K starts at 7 pm. Register here and view the Facebook page for more information.