‘It’s dangerous’: Hyde Park residents raise concerns over crumbling sidewalks
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Hyde Park residents say cracked and lifted sidewalks are creating serious safety concerns and the issue only seems to be getting worse.
Cracks and uneven pavement can be found throughout the neighborhood, making it difficult for some residents to keep their footing.
“I put reflective tape on mine just so the kids don’t trip over it, and when I walk at night I go out and walk out on the street because I can’t see it as well,” said Mary Ellen Allison, a Hyde Park resident who has lived in the area for three years.
Allison says she has to watch her step during her daily walks and worries about others in the community.
“There are some people who live not very far from here who are in a place that they get out in their wheelchairs and just kind of roll through the neighborhood from time to time and you see them rolling in the street,” she said.
Allison says concerns about safety prompted her to call 3-1-1 to report the issue, but she’s been discouraged by the lack of progress.
Just around the corner, other neighbors say they’ve had similar experiences. One neighbor’s roommate requested repairs through the city’s GO Bond Sidewalk Program last year and received a quote of about $580,000. The request for funding was denied.
“I would just say it’s a real issue, so obviously if we’re going to fix the streets we should also fix the sidewalks, and some of our taxpayer dollars should go to that,” said Chapman Campbell, another Hyde Park resident.
BikeWalkKC, a local advocacy group, says the sidewalk issue is a citywide problem spanning from South Kansas City to Waldo.
“Overemphasis on single-family housing comes at the expense of those houses struggling to get the repairs for their sidewalks in when those repairs arise,” said Michael Kelley, policy director for BikeWalkKC.
According to the group, the city has allocated an additional $150 million for sidewalk repairs through the GO Bond program, which receives $7.5 million annually. But Kelley says that’s no match for the estimated $1 billion in sidewalk repairs needed citywide.
“The city has to be selective with what they’re choosing to do or they have to increase the amount of funding that they’re using for sidewalk repairs,” Kelley said.
Kelley also said his group has been pushing the city to update its 2004 walkability plan, which evaluates pedestrian infrastructure, identifies barriers to walking, and outlines areas for improvement.
“We have to do more to prioritize sidewalk repairs, to invest more in walkability, and actually build a city where you don’t have to drive in order to thrive,” he said.
In response to community concerns, the city told KCTV5 that sidewalk improvements in Hyde Park are underway as part of its repair program. One specific area set for work is Campbell Street between 36th Street and Harrison Parkway. A city spokesperson said the block was unintentionally missed in earlier planning, but staff are now actively coordinating with residents to address it.
Officials also said this year’s budget includes updates to broader walkability efforts, aligning with the city’s larger goal of improving accessibility and mobility.
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