Hoping to discourage climbers, Roeland Park approves funding for landscaping around R Park sculpture

The Roeland Park city council last week approved material, installation and maintenance fees of up to $8,000 for landscaping around the See Red Run sculpture located at R Park, 5535 Juniper Drive. The piece, by artist Jorge Blanco, was commissioned after a citizens group raised funds for the public art and installed last May.

The Parks Committee brought forth a recommendation to approve funding for the landscaping around the sculpture — as it was not allocated for by the Arts Committee — in an effort to discourage people from climbing the art. The Parks Committee representative said going forward, the Arts Committee will not implement a piece of art without allocating funds for accompanying landscaping.