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 The newly renovated Argosy Casino in Riverside With no large, regional attractions, it might come as a surprise that Platte County is one of the area's most active in terms of recreation and visitors. One reason is the Kansas City International Airport, which in 2003 served 9.4 million passengers. If even 10 percent of those visiting the area utilize a Platte County restaurant, the region has a visitor base that few in the metro can equal. That's also why the office and light industrial areas along I-29 near the airport have supported three major hotels and other hospitality businesses. There is room for improvement in all this. Although City Manager Wayne Cauthen is working to increase that figure, the 2003 traffic represents a decline from 2002. County officials are also working hard to capture more of that traffic and to see that Platte County's offerings get their fair share of attention. Simple growth will help in several ways. The hospitality side of the equation is expected to expand with Platte's current retail development. One-of-a-kind shopping destinations at Barry Road and other locations are logical targets for travelers who otherwise might go nonstop from the airport to downtown. The biggest projects, however, are in the area of recreation. Platte County voters in 2000 approved a park and recreation program that this year will bring two new community centers and, next year, a huge aquatics center. Equally dramatic, the same county program within only a few years will result in new and improved parks, as well as one of the region's most dramatic trail and greenway systems. The county has done a good job of spreading these riches around geographically. The two new community centers are being constructed in Parkville and Platte City to serve the north and south side of the county equally well. Other park projects are being completed in cooperation with Platte cities and other agencies in order to maximize tax dollars, but another result is that extensive park development is taking place from Dearborn in the north to Riverside on the Missouri River. For example, the aquatics center on North Congress is being built in conjunction with the Kansas City Park department and the South Platte County Athletic Association. Platte County is also lending a hand in what may be one of the most dramatic facilities in the area, an 11-mile hiking/biking trail that will eventually stretch from the west side of Parkville to Riverside and onto the Clay County line. This Missouri Riverfront Trail will offer one of the most unique hiking and biking routes in the state. Plans even call for creation of a wetlands and rare hardwood river forest along much of its length. Other trails and parks are being built at Weston Bluffs, at KCI and in communities such as Dearborn and Camden Point. Platte County's recreational offerings are not all future tense, either. From Weston Bend State Park to the Riverwalk in Riverside, Platte County already has some of the most distinctive offerings in the state. Some of this is an offshoot of the county's longstanding abundance of open space. The 2,330-acre Platte Falls Conser-vation Area is one of the largest expanses of green space in metropolitan Kansas City--about the same size as the entire community of Platte City to its west. Platte's recreational offerings also include the region's only ski resort north of Weston.  Artist rendering of the Platte County aquatics center to be built in 2005 Other private developments hardly need introduction. Platte County boasts two world-class golf courses. The area was also the scene of the region's first riverboat gaming casino, the Argosy in Riverside which just completed a multi-million dollar investment. The new and high-tech gaming facility, restaurants and other features are all open to the public. For those seeking other interests, Platte County has several in abundance. One of the best is a com- bination of history and shopping found in Parkville and Weston. Both offer historic downtown areas that have found new life as centers for dining, antiques, recreation and bed and breakfast facilities. Platte County's authentic history brings other opportunities as well. This area boasts several contemporary ties to the area's extensive history, from the early settlement on the county line at Barry to its several river communities. The stories are unique, as well. Platte County is part of the only portion of the Missouri that was not originally incorporated into the state. In fact, before the 1836 Platte Purchase, a tavern at the old community of Barry (near modern M-169 and Barry Road) had a special "non-alcohol" wing that extended across the line into the Platte territory. The device allowed the owner to cater to residents of the territory, which was prohibited. These ties are evident throughout the county, not just in obviously historic sections of Weston or Parkville. Beverly, Platte City, Edgerton and Dearborn also offer increasingly widespread historic development in both businesses and homes. The biggest surprise in Platte County may involve the entertainment industry. From folk music sung in historic pubs of Weston to the Northland Symphony Orchestra playing in Riverside, the area offers a surprising array of after-hours activity. Add in cultural offerings from Park College or one of the private fine arts groups, and Platte County offers far more than evident at first glance. |
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