Kaylie McLaughlin  - Overland Park

New German sister city park in southern Overland Park gains key approval

Bietigheim-Bissingen Park, Overland Park's sister city park, will feature a playground, a picnic area and a walking path.

Bietigheim-Bissingen Park in southern Overland Park will feature a playground, a picnic area and a walking path. Image courtesy of Overland Park.

A new park honoring Overland Park’s German sister city is a few steps closer to reality. 

On Monday, the Overland Park Planning Commission recommended approval of the park’s site plans and plats, clearing the path for its eventual development. 

Bietigheim-Bissingen Park, or B-B Park, will bear the German town’s name, a nod to the 25 years of ties between both cities. 

It will be located near 159th Street and Quivira Road, accomplishing a long-term goal to add a community park in the southern third of Overland Park. 

B-B Park to draw inspiration from Germany

  • The city has drawn “architectural and cultural inspirations” from Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany, and incorporated that into the park’s design.
  • It will have a playground, a walking path, a public plaza and a picnic area.
  • Gardens are also planned as part of the park.
  • B-B Park will have public restrooms and a shelter as well. 
  • The park is expected to cost roughly $3.5 million. 

Planning commission voted 10-0 on the new park

  • The planning commission took four votes in all related to B-B Park on Monday. 
  • Each item passed unanimously. 
Overland Park's future Bietigheim-Bissingen Park is planned for 159th and Quivira Road. Named for the German sister city to Overland Park, the park is expected to take design cues from that relationship.
Overland Park’s future Bietigheim-Bissingen Park is planned for 159th and Quivira Road. Image courtesy of Overland Park.

Next steps: 

Related news: Overland Park is planning for the future of its parks system — How you can weigh in

👋 Hi! I'm Kaylie McLaughlin, and I cover Overland Park for the Blue Valley Post.

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A bit about me and my background:

I grew up in Shawnee and graduated from Mill Valley in 2017. I attended Kansas State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2021. While there, I worked for the K-State Collegian, serving as the editor-in-chief. As a student, I interned for the Wichita Eagle, the Shawnee Mission Post and KSNT in Topeka. I also contributed to the KLC Journal and the Kansas Reflector. Before joining the Post in 2023 as a full-time reporter, I worked for the Olathe Reporter.