The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden is a free 1.7-acre formal garden on Rockhill Road in Kansas City, maintained by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as a philanthropic gift to the city. Designed with accessibility built in from opening, it’s a consistently calm, beautiful short stop that pairs naturally with visits to the Country Club Plaza or Nelson-Atkins Museum — both a short roll away. For visitors who want an accessible outdoor stop between larger destinations, the garden is one of the best in the central corridor.
How We Serve Kauffman Memorial Garden Visitors
The garden is fully walk-in / roll-in and doesn’t require coordination — just visit during open hours. Scooter delivery lands at your Plaza-area hotel (Marriott Plaza, InterContinental, Embassy Suites Plaza, The Fontaine, The Raphael, Cascade, Truitt) ahead of your check-in. From the Plaza, the garden is a short roll east on 47th Street.
About the Garden
Opened in 1999 as a gift to Kansas City from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the garden features:
- Formal parterre garden — traditional geometric plantings with rotating seasonal flowers
- Bronze sculptures — by Tom Corbin and Victor Salmones throughout the garden
- Conservatory — glass conservatory with rotating seasonal plantings and orchids; accessible, year-round
- Water features — pools and fountains throughout
- Seating and contemplation areas — accessible benches and rest spots
It’s intentionally small-scale and detail-rich rather than a sprawling botanical garden — reward the visit with slower browsing.
Accessibility
The garden was designed from opening with accessibility throughout:
- Accessible parking in the Rockhill Road lot adjacent to the garden
- Accessible entry from the parking lot
- Paved accessible paths throughout all garden areas (no unpaved or gravel sections that exclude scooter access)
- Accessible conservatory entry and interior
- Accessible restrooms in the conservatory building
- Accessible seating throughout for rest stops
Paths are well-maintained and wide enough for comfortable scooter navigation.
Pairing the Visit
With the Country Club Plaza — short roll west. Plaza shopping morning, garden mid-day, Plaza dining evening.
With the Nelson-Atkins Museum — short roll south. Nelson-Atkins in the morning, garden as an outdoor break, back to the Plaza for afternoon/evening.
With a Plaza hotel stay — roll out of the hotel in the morning, garden as a 45-minute stop, continue the day.
Short winter visit — in cold weather when outdoor sightseeing is limited, the conservatory offers a brief indoor garden experience.