Leawood 360 Podcast

Fall is here, and Leawood Parks, Recreation & Arts has plenty of ways to make the most of the season! In this episode of Leawood 360, we’re looking at what’s coming up this fall across Leawood. Danielle Foster, Superintendent of Recreation Services, previews seasonal events, classes and activities—including Into the Night, Howl-o-ween at Leawoof Dog Park, Jazz and Martinis, Cosmic Bingo, the Ironwoods Holiday Market and more. Then, Kat Kolburn, Nature and Outdoor Recreation Supervisor, and Kelly Finke, Nature and Outdoor Recreation Coordinator, take us to Prairie Oak Nature Center and Ironwoods Park. We talk about what’s changing in nature this time of year, the animals that call the Nature Center home, upcoming programs and simple ways residents can support local wildlife. Whether you’re ready to fill your fall calendar or just want to know what to look and listen for on your next walk through Ironwoods, this episode has something for you.

Back-to-school season means busier streets, active school zones and more kids walking, biking and riding e-bikes and scooters around Leawood. In this episode of Leawood 360, we’re tackling one of the biggest questions on many parents’ minds: What are the rules for e-bikes, scooters and other e-devices in Leawood, and how can you help keep your kids safe? Sergeant Matthew Schroeder and Officer Cody Morse from the Leawood Police Department break down what riders, parents and drivers need to know as students head back to school. Then, City Engineer Brian Scovill joins us to talk about Leawood’s ongoing efforts to make our streets safer for people walking and biking, including recent pedestrian safety improvements and what to expect from major construction projects during the new school year.

Did you know Leawood is home to one of the Kansas City area's most impressive public art collections? In this episode of Leawood 360, host Beth Breitenstein sits down with Kim Hinkle, Chair of the Art in Public Places Initiative, Anne Blessing, Chair of the Leawood Arts Council, and Melissa Duggan, the City's Cultural Arts Supervisor, to explore the stories behind Leawood's public art program. Learn about the newly released Leawood Public Art Guide, discover how the new Clio audio tours bring sculptures to life through self-guided storytelling, and hear why the City's iconic sculpture corridor along Tomahawk Creek Parkway is now officially known as Art Line Leawood. Whether you're an art enthusiast or simply looking for a new way to experience Leawood's parks and trails, this episode will inspire you to see the city through a new lens.

What really happens behind the scenes when severe weather moves into Leawood? On this episode of Leawood 360, we sit down with Leawood Fire Chief Colin Fitzgerald to answer some of the biggest questions residents have about tornado sirens, weather alerts, emergency response, and storm preparedness. We break down how warning systems work, why some neighborhoods hear sirens while others may not, when Leawood activates their Emergency Operations Center during major storms, and what residents should do before, during, and after severe weather hits. Plus, Chief Fitzgerald shares preparedness tips, common myths, and a few behind-the-scenes stories from the front lines of emergency response in Leawood.

On this episode of Leawood 360, we’re joined by Parks Superintendent and City Arborist Dustin Branick for a fun and informative conversation about the trees that shape our community. From how to choose the right tree for your yard to what not to plant, Dustin shares practical tips every homeowner can use. We also dig into Leawood’s updated tree ordinance, talk about common tree challenges like sweetgums, and highlight why investing in our urban forest matters now and for future generations.