Most Kansas Citians don’t know it exists, but the world’s largest heart-shaped forest sits quietly in our own backyard. Located on eight acres near Kansas City International Airport, it has welcomed travelers to the Heart of America from the sky for more than three decades.
Planted in 1990 by hundreds of volunteers, the forest is a living landmark of Midwestern “Heart Spirit,” the kindness, connection, and care that hold a community together. What began as a single planting has grown into a thriving ecosystem of more than 2,500 trees, some now reaching 50 feet tall, producing an estimated 24 tons of oxygen each year.
Over time, invasive growth has crowded out the trees and closed off the heart of the landscape to visitors. With Kansas City recently in the spotlight for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the forest has drawn renewed momentum to restore it. Sur Landscape Architecture is working alongside JE Dunn Construction and Good Oak to clear invasives, rebuild pathways, and reopen the forest’s heart on the ground, while restoring its iconic shape from above. White rock will outline the heart, sharpening its visibility from the air and helping prevent erosion from nearby farmland.
Phase One of the campaign aims to raise $100,000 to complete this initial restoration. Future work will focus on accessible trails, gathering spaces, and new ways to connect, learn, and explore, strengthening this landscape for generations to come.
To learn more or support the campaign, visit heartforest.org.