Foundation

Venues

Growing Kindness: A New Landmark of Art and Generosity at the Arboretum

On Friday evening, August 21, the community gathered at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for the dedication of a remarkable new work of public art: Growing Kindness, a larger-than-life stainless-steel sculpture inspired by the iconic poppy artwork of beloved Overland Park artist and philanthropist Jeffrey Owen Hanson. The dedication marked more than the … Read More

Celebrating 30 Years of Impact: Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park Day

On July 19, 2025, the City of Overland Park proudly celebrates Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park Day, marking 30 years of transformative contributions to the community. A Legacy of Impact Established in 1995, as the Overland Park Parks and Recreation Department Foundation, Inc., the foundation was created to support and enhance the city’s … Read More

Meet the ARFOP Board: Bess Wallerstein Huff

Bess Wallerstein Huff brings nearly three decades of arts leadership to the ARFOP board, backed by an impressive career in Kansas City’s cultural scene. Bess was instrumental in establishing the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, where she spent over a decade leading marketing and community engagement. She continued to leave her mark on Kansas … Read More

ARFOP Welcomes Sonya McLelland as New Executive Director

The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park (ARFOP) is pleased to welcome Sonya McLelland, CFRE, as our new Executive Director. McLelland succeeds longtime executive director Vicki Lilly, who is retiring after 26 years in leadership positions with the organization. McLelland comes to ARFOP with nearly 30 years of fundraising and marketing experience and has … Read More

Meet the ARFOP Board: Ken Selzer

Ken Selzer is a dedicated and accomplished board member with a wealth of experience in both the private and public sectors. His extensive background in fundraising, organization, business, and leadership uniquely qualifies him to contribute meaningfully to ARFOP’s mission. Ken Selzer is a Certified Public Accountant and experienced leader who served as the Kansas Insurance … Read More

The ARFOP Mission Extends to Germany

A note from the Foundation’s Board President, Phil Bressler: On behalf of the entire ARFOP organization, I was fortunate enough to join the City of Overland Park delegation in late August to visit our sister city, Bietigheim-Bissingen, located just outside of Stuttgart, Germany. The primary purpose of the trip was to celebrate the 25th anniversary … Read More

Vicki Lilly wins the Richard A. “Rick” Worrel Community Legacy Award

We are so very excited to share that Vicki Lilly, executive director of the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park (ARFOP), is the 2023 recipient of the Richard A. “Rick” Worrel Community Legacy Award, presented by the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber established the Worrel Award in 2019 to honor longtime community … Read More

A Celebration of the Year’s Accomplishments

We looked back . . . and we looked ahead . . and we enjoyed each other’s company! That’s what the Arts & Recreation Foundation leadership did in November to celebrate another year of doing what we do to enhance quality of life in Overland Park. Members of the ARFOP Board of Directors and the … Read More

In Remembrance: Wayne Byrd

Since before it even existed, Wayne was the heart and soul of the Arts & Recreation Foundation. In 1995, former mayor Ed Eilert tapped him to form a nonprofit organization to support the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Overland Park. Wayne’s initial job was to recruit the first ARFOP directors and members … Read More

Mayor’s Golf Tournament Tees Up Community Support

The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park hosted its 2022 Overland Park Mayor’s Golf Tournament, presented by LMC Truck, on Friday, September 30th. The weather was just perfect – it was a fantastic day to be outdoors, taking advantage of the beautiful grounds of St. Andrews Golf Club. We were pleased to sell out … Read More

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