Mark McHenry has spent a lifetime dedicated to the provision of parks, recreation and conservation of public lands. His first job while in high school, was working as a laborer in a county park. McHenry just completed a 50-year old career in parks recreation and conservation with 44 years as an administrator with the City of Kansas, Missouri. The last 16 years serving as a Director. Under McHenry's leadership, 34 parks were added bringing 1,000 acres to the park system and while serving at Missouri Department of Conservation Commissioner, 12,488 acres were added to the system.
Kansas City is known nationwide for its parks, fountains, and boulevards. Under his leadership, the original park and boulevard systems are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places by the National Park System. Over the course of his career, McHenry has served on 27 boards and friends groups at local, state and national levels, often as an officer. He became the bridge builder and a team leader connecting people to collaborate in conserving or reestablishing open space, preserving history and environmental beauty.
He has received 20 honors and awards from the community groups, educational institutions and government agencies. Upon his retirement in 2019, the City of Kansas City, Missouri, named an 838-acre park in his honor.