Bietigheim-Bissingen Park
Bietigheim-Bissingen Park
Or “B-B Park”
A new public park is on the way to south Overland Park at 159th and Quivira named in honor of our sister city in Germany, Bietigheim-Bissingen (pronounced BEE-tig-hime BISS-en-jen).
Overland Park established a formal sister city relationship with Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany in 1999. The relationship began more than 20 years ago with the exchange involving the Bietigheim-Bissingen and Shawnee Mission South High School music schools and the orchestra. Since then, Overland Park and German officials have been working together to establish economic development opportunities for the two communities, in addition to furthering cultural and educational ties.
Construction began in fall 2024 and the park is expected to open in late 2025.
Contact:
Mike Burton
Parks & Forestry Manager
mike.burton@opkansas.org
913-327-6638
Anticipated Timeline
April-June 2023
Engagement & Concept Design
July-September 2023
Design Development
October-December 2023
Construction Documents
December 2023-August 2024
Permitting and Bidding
Fall 2024
Begin Construction
Fall 2025
Grand Opening
Construction Update
Bietigheim-Bissingen Park is starting to take shape!
Check out this bird’s-eye view of progress as construction continues in March 2025.
Exciting features are taking shape, bringing us closer to a beautiful new space for the community to enjoy!
Preferred Site Plan
The park’s amenities will include a playground, multi-use trail, shelter, restrooms, water feature, entry plaza, games, open lawn, parking, picnic tables and a garden.
Project Renderings
Bietigheim-Bissingen (B-B) Park will incorporate architectural and cultural inspirations from Overland Park’s sister city. Designs shown are concepts developed based on community feedback.
Construction began on 2024.
Community Engagement & Steering Committee
The City of Overland Park held three public meetings during the engagement and design phase of BB Park:
- April 12, 2023
- May 15, 2023
- June 14, 2023
The City held an additional Plan Your Park meeting on Dec. 6, 2024, to collect feedback about preferred play structures for the park.
During Plan Your Park meetings, residents asked questions, provided input on design concepts and prioritized park amenities.
A steering committee comprised of community leaders and architects combined feedback gathered during community engagement efforts with architectural designs and features of Bietigheim-Bissingen to create the B-B Park preferred site plan.
The community played a key role in shaping the new playground design by casting their votes on various design options. View renderings of the playground the community chose below.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Shovels hit the dirt on Friday, August 9, 2024 for the groundbreaking ceremony of Bietigheim-Bissingen Park. A “portal” to Germany allowed representatives from Bietigheim-Bissingen to participate virtually, including Mayor Jürgen Kessing and artist Dieter Kränzlein, who is creating artwork for the park.
Cultural Inspiration
Bietigheim-Bissingen (B-B) Park will incorporate architectural and cultural inspirations from Overland Park’s sister city.
In December 2024, German artist Dieter Kränzlein received the large shell limestone block that will transform into a stunning sculpture for the park.
This project goes beyond adding beauty to Overland Park. It’s a powerful symbol of international collaboration that enriches our community, sparks creativity and fosters meaningful connections.
Pictured: German artist Dieter Kränzlein (center), Bietigheim-Bissingen’s Mayor Jürgen Kessing (right) and Horst Köhler (left), on whose construction property the sculpture will take shape, celebrated the stone’s arrival at its temporary home.
About Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany
In 1975, the two cities of Bietigheim and Bissingen joined together as one city. Bietigheim-Bissingen is 15.5 miles north of Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Wuerttemberg, one of 16 states in Germany. Approximately 42,500 people call Bietigheim-Bissingen home.
A redeveloped, historic city, Bietigheim-Bissingen is known for:
- Its 500-year-old city tower,
- Sculptures, including the “Tower of Grey Horses” (Turm der grauen Pferde),
- Art gallery,
- Public libraries,
- And more!