Bietigheim-Bissingen Park

This public park is named in honor of our sister city in Germany, Bietigheim-Bissingen (pronounced BEE-tig-hime BISS-en-jen, or “Bi-Bi”). Overland Park established a formal sister city relationship with Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany in 1999. The relationship began more than 40 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, while also fostering cultural and educational ties.

Bilingual playground

English and German language panels, town images from Overland Park and Bietigheim-Bissingen, a light-up game, large slides and more!

Interactive water table

The water table depicts an aerial view of Bietigheim-Bissingen’s historic town center, complete with rivers and streets you can explore through hands-on water play.

Musical instruments

Bocce ball lanes

Sculpture

At the heart of the park stands a striking sculpture carved from shell limestone by German artist Dieter Kränzlein, gifted in partnership with the City of Bietigheim-Bissingen and Friends of Overland Park Arts.

Loop trail

.25 mile trail

Interpretive signage

Ideas from Shawnee Mission South High School students, who participated through their Real World Learning program, helped shape the park’s interpretive signage.

Nature boardwalk

Open green space

Shelter

Bike Repair Station

Parking

17 spaces and two ADA spaces

Restrooms

Bietigheim-Bissingen Park came to life through a collaborative, community-driven process.

The City of Overland Park hosted public meetings in the spring of 2023 to gather the community’s input on the park’s design and amenities. In December 2024, residents helped select their preferred playground features.

Throughout the process, a dedicated steering committee combined local feedback with architectural elements inspired by Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany. This cultural connection played a key role in shaping the park’s design and spirit.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 9, 2024, with a unique virtual “portal” allowing leaders from Bietigheim-Bissingen, including Mayor Jürgen Kessing and artist Dieter Kränzlein, to participate.

The park was officially dedicated on September 29, 2025, during a special community celebration that included live performances by students from Shawnee Mission South’s Jazz Band and Orchestra. German representatives traveled to Overland Park for the occasion, further highlighting the international friendship that inspired the park’s creation.

Bietigheim-Bissingen Park now stands as a vibrant new space honoring both local voices and international friendship.

In 1975, the two cities of Bietigheim and Bissingen joined together as one city. Bietigheim-Bissingen is located 15.5 miles north of Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, one of Germany’s 16 states. 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!