City News

Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation (LSPR) has been selected as a finalist for the 2026 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, one of the highest distinctions in the field. The award is administered by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association. It recognizes park and recreation agencies nationwide for excellence in service, innovation, and overall system management. LSPR is one of four agencies named as finalists in Class III, which includes communities with populations between 75,001 and 150,000. Finalists will be evaluated for the Grand Plaque, awarded to one agency in each class during the NRPA Annual Conference, taking place September 29 through October 1, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Earning a place among the finalists reflects...

• The City of Lee’s Summit is pleased to announce the appointment of Councilmember Hillary Shields as Mayor Pro Tem. In this role, Shields will step in to fulfill mayoral duties when needed and support the advancement of City priorities.
• Councilmember Shields represents District 1. She has served on City Council since April 2020. She is currently serving her second term which runs through April 2028.

Tour de Lakes Celebrates 25 Years of Cycling and Community Lee’s Summit, MO – Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation invites cyclists of all ages and abilities to hit the road for the 25th Annual Tom Logan Memorial Tour de Lakes bike ride on Saturday, May 16, beginning at 7:00 a.m. This milestone year continues a long-standing community tradition, offering fully supported routes designed for every level of rider. Participants can choose from distances ranging from a relaxed 10-mile loop around Longview Lake to a challenging 62-mile ride that travels past five scenic lakes: Longview, Raintree, Lakewood, Blue Springs, and Lake Jacomo. Early registration is now open, with discounted pricing available through May 15 at 7:30 p.m.: • $32 for riders ages 13 and under • $37 for riders ages 14 and up After the early registration deadline, fees increase...

A section of NE Independence Avenue between NE Orchard Street and SE 2^nd Street is set to close on Tuesday, April 28, for approximately two days for pavement restoration. The hard closure is between SE 2^nd Street and 209 NE Independence Ave. The detour route includes NE Orchard Street, NE Grand Avenue, and SE 2^nd Street.

This week marks National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and the Lee's Summit Fire Department is recognizing its Communication Specialists — fire and EMS dispatchers — for their contributions to public safety and the safety of first responders. As the first point of contact for people calling 911, they serve on the front lines of emergency response. The department's Communication Specialists' duties include gathering critical information in high-pressure situations, providing pre-arrival instructions to callers, serving as a vital link to firefighters and paramedics by monitoring radio activity and ensuring their safety, and coordinating responses across seven fire departments and fire protection districts: Lee's Summit Fire Department, Fort Osage Fire Protection District, Lone Jack Fire Protection District, Southern Jackson County Fire Protection...