(Kansas City, Mo.) – This Valentine’s Day, KC Water wants to remind those who ‘Lock their Love’ on the Old Red Bridge to not throw their keys into the Blue River.
“We don’t like that. It’s not environmentally sound plus there’s just better uses for that key. You can put it on a bracelet, on a necklace, just don’t throw it in the river,” said Heidi Markle, Marketing and Events Manager for KC Parks & Recreation.
The Old Red Bridge is located between Holmes and Blue River Road on Red Bridge Road near the north entrance of Minor Park.
The love locks started in 2013 after the city built the new Red Bridge. Instead of demolishing the old one, residents brought a tradition from Europe to Kansas City by placing locks on the bridge as a symbol of everlasting love. What started out with 100 locks has now turned into over 5000.
Throwing the key into the river can be harmful. The Blue River flows into the Missouri River which is KC Water’s primary source for drinking water.
Heartland Conservation and KC Water provided lock boxes for participants to discard their keys. Donated keys will be used to create a sculpture for Monarchs on the Move, an organization dedicated to preserving monarch butterflies.
For more information contact Heather Frierson, KC Water Media Relations Coordinator, at heather.frierson@kcmo.org 816-513-0280, cell 816-674-0211.
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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area. KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.