Kansas Citians celebrate spring, to plant 20K bloomers in one day
What: Flower Planting Day
When: Wednesday, May 4th, 8:30 a.m.
Where: Ilus W. Davis Park (11th and Oak streets), Kansas City, Mo.

KANSAS CITY (April 29, 2005) – Folks in Kansas City are rolling up their sleeves, shoveling the topsoil and readying to plant 20,000 blooming flowers around town during the annual Flower Planting Day Wednesday, May 4th.

Beginning at 8:30 a.m., hundreds of volunteers across the historic Midwest city will plant petunias, periwinkles, dusty millers, and cannas – a city favorite. Television lifestyle guru and personality Libby Langdon will join members of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and dozens of volunteers at Davis Park - at 11th and Oak streets downtown - where flower beds are being prepared for a petunia invasion and possible single day planting feat.

Langdon, host of the nationally syndicated “Design Invasion”, will offer home gardening and green-thumb tips on the popular annuals. She will be joined by Sandra Doolin Aust, president of the Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Mark McHenry, director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

“I’m looking forward to helping the good people of Kansas City continue what’s become a blooming tradition,” Langdon said. “No other American city does more to beautify their parks and outdoor spaces.”

The Flower Planting Day began in 2003. The simple idea blossomed after city budget cuts within the department prompted employees to volunteer their time to plant the flowers themselves.

Each successive year, the number of flowers and volunteers has grown. The first two years, volunteers planted about 10,000 flowers; this year, they’ll be planting twice that amount.

“We are very proud that so many Kansas Citians step forward to assist us,” McHenry said. “It’s a special event and it takes a special community to do this.”

Other Flower Planting Day locations include:

Anita Gorman Park (N. Holmes Street. and Vivian Road)
Loose Park (51st Street and Wornall Road)
Swope Park (Entrance – Meyer Boulevard and Swope Parkway)
Ward Parkway and 55th Street

Kansas City boasts of having more miles of boulevards and parkways than any city in the world besides Paris. It also has more public fountains than any other urban area besides Rome. The city, situated in the geographic center of the United States, is referred to as the "City of Fountains" and also has been called the "Heart of the Nation."

Langdon, a former model and actress, has made a successful career of providing better home and lifestyle tips to viewers across America. Her most recent appearances include ABC’s “The View”, Glamour magazine and numerous feature and lifestyle articles in several U.S. newspapers.

As an actress, she has appeared in several Hollywood movies including “Shallow Hal”, “Sidewalks of New York”, and most recently, “The Door in the Floor” opposite Jeff Bridges. For more information about Langdon, please visit www. Libbylangdon.com.

Not only will the flower fest showcase Kansas City’s community spirit, it also will highlight the ongoing revitalization efforts. The downtown area is in the midst of a $4 billion renovation and construction boom, including new arena, entertainment complexes, retail and residential development projects.
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