Kansas City's first public swimming pool was built at the Parade, Truman Road and The Paseo, in 1904. The 1914 souvenir park booklet gave this description of the Parade: The Parade is intended to be the great central playground of the city and when completed will be the most fully equipped for both summer and winter activities. The sunken field of five acres, in which is located the ball fields, was completed in 1904. The field is flooded during the cold weather in winter and affords a splendid skating rink. On this property is the city's first public bath house, built in 1904 with funds supplied by the Epperson Megaphone Minstrels (a popular talent group of local businessmen, headed by U.S. Epperson, prominent insurance underwriter and manager). This bath house is one of the most popular features of the recreation department. The building contains shower baths and swimming pool. Kansas City Times, July 20, 1974.
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