Visual Update - Penn Valley Park

 Penn Valley Park is undergoing a  $7 million renovation.  New roads, curbs, walkways, changes to the Lake area....  and that's what I visited today.   Above, looking south, shows the water level lowered to make working on the banks easier.  I'm standing at 27th Street.

 Above, looking north from just below 31st Street...  much of the drainage and roadbed work (on the far right) is complete.

 Above, flora and fauna still muddle through as if nothing was going on around them.  Below, with the drought, it's not hard to tell where the creek is.

 The path overgrowth has been cleared all the way to the lake.  Much easier walking these days.   Below, another look at the creek that feeds the lake.

 Originally called "Penn Street Ravine"  the area in the early to middle  part of the 1800s was used by wagon trains heading west.   In 1893 it was decided by the Parks Board to preserve the valley as a park.  134 acres were set aside for a Boulevard and Park.

 Above, one of the original walkway bridges is being retained and new walkways are leading up to and away from it.

 Above,  Washington Lake.   Note the WDAF (Fox 4) tower on the horizon.  Just to its left is the Scout Statue.

 Ran into a Blue Heron (thanks John Cooper for the ID) while I was there.   I was thrilled, he/she was not and left.

 Above and below, looking north toward the KC skyline.

 Above, another Heron picture, below, some ducklings...  Carl was line-leader.

One last shot of my Heron with the incongruity of the skyline in the background.    I visited just the lake area.  Penn Valley Park also has an off-leash dog park, skate park, exercise trail, four tennis courts, picnic shelter, playground, two lighted ball diamonds, Just Off Broadway Theatre, and the Liberty Memorial.    All shots Nikon D800.  Landscapes, ISO 100, F5.6-F8, 24-70mm lens.   Birds  ISO 400, F8, 70 - 200mm lens.