Future of Joe D. Dennis Park, Westwood View Elementary hang in the balance

WESTWOOD, Kan. (KCTV) - The Westwood City Council met Thursday, May 29, to discuss the future of Joe D. Dennis Park and Westwood View Elementary, at 50th Street and Rainbow Boulevard.

Westwood residents previously voted to preserve the 4-acre park after controversial plans for commercial development of the land were voted down.

The park was originally named in memory of Mayor Joe D. Dennis, who served Westwood from 1965 to 1984.

As part of that same development, adjacent to Joe D. Dennis Park, Westwood View Elementary was slated to be purchased and renovated as office space.

Demolition plans for Westwood View Elementary have already been filed.

Westwood View Elementary was sold to the city in 2023, with the city leasing it back to the Shawnee Mission district for use as a temporary school for students from Rushton Elementary. In 2022, a new Westwood View Elementary opened at 49th and Belinder Avenue.

The city now has until November 28, 2025, to partner with another developer or agree on new plans for the park and former elementary school site.

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