On 64 acres in Olathe, a visionary development is taking shape that promises to redefine what inclusion looks like in the Midwest. At the center of it all is Michael’s Wonder World, an ultra-inclusive, all abilities theme park designed so that all people, including children and adults with special needs can experience the joy of play without barriers. Surrounding it will be a state-of-the-art sports arena, an accessible hotel, restaurants and retail, all thoughtfully designed to serve families who are too often overlooked in traditional developments.
Michael’s Wonder World is more than a park. It is a fully inclusive environment where rides are wheelchair accessible, sensory considerations are built into the design, and families navigating complex medical or developmental needs can relax instead of constantly planning for obstacles. Admission for individuals with disabilities will be free, ensuring that cost is not another barrier to joy.
Directly across from the park will stand the Halo Care Collective at Halo Ridge, a collaborative hub bringing medical providers, therapists, nonprofit organizations and family support services together under one roof. If the park represents celebration and recreation, the Collective represents care, coordination and long term support for the entire family.
James Arkell, son in law of Lamar Hunt Jr., has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. But he is quick to point out that Halo Ridge is not about one family name. It is about community.
“This was built by the people, for the people,” Arkell says. “No matter who you are, you can bring something to the table. We’re not asking for a lot. We’re asking, what can you give?”
Halo Ridge is specifically designed for families with special needs, particularly those caring for children or adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, these families often juggle appointments scattered across the metro. A dental specialist may be in one city, an adaptive equipment provider in another, a therapist somewhere else entirely. Every trip requires equipment, time off work and careful coordination.
Arkell explains, “This is about making it convenient and accessible. And by keeping whole families healthier, that’s better for everyone.”
The Halo Care Collective will bring together optometry, dentistry, occupational and physical therapy, durable medical equipment providers, mental health professionals and much more. Families will be able to schedule multiple services in one location. Siblings will have access to counseling and support groups. Parents will find financial planning and legal resources, including pro bono guidance on guardianship and disability related planning that can otherwise cost thousands of dollars.
Approximately 75 percent of the first floor will be shared, welcoming space. There will be classrooms for peer mentoring and certifications, a comfortable reception area, and a café style gathering space that doubles as a job training kitchen lab. The goal is to make families feel supported, not sidelined in sterile waiting rooms.
The building itself has been secured through a generous lease arrangement with Karbank Real Estate. Even with reduced rental rates for clinical partners, significant fundraising is required to cover operational costs and allow nonprofit organizations to occupy space at little to no charge. The Halo Care Collective operates as a 501(c)(3), and donations are tax deductible.
Corporate partners are stepping forward. Private donors are contributing. But Arkell believes the long-term sustainability of Halo Ridge depends on broad community participation.
“There aren’t as many seven and eight figure gifts as there used to be,” he explains. “We need smaller gifts that can be repetitive. Your $20 a month matters. There’s no gift too big and no gift too small. It’s a great opportunity for people who want to give and want to make sure the money is benefitting a number of charities rather than just one.”
Naming opportunities and legacy giving structures are available throughout the park, arena and care hub. At the same time, monthly contributions from families, local businesses and individuals will form the backbone of ongoing operations and hardship grants for families who need financial assistance for services, travel or equipment.
The impact will extend well beyond special needs families. The adjacent sports arena is projected to host tournaments and events that draw hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. The accessible hotel will provide accommodations tailored to families traveling with medical equipment. Retailers and restaurants throughout the corridor will benefit from increased traffic. Johnson County will feel the economic ripple effect.
Yet at its heart, this is about dignity.
“We want it to be something for everyone,” Arkell says. “We don’t want to focus simply on the individual. These are families. By helping one, we can’t leave the others behind.”
Kansas City has always prided itself on strong civic partnerships and generous philanthropy. Halo Ridge offers an opportunity to invest not only in growth, but in compassion. It is a chance to create a place where children with special needs can play freely, where parents can access coordinated care, and where siblings feel seen and supported.
For those looking to make a meaningful investment in the future of our community, Halo Ridge is an invitation. Whether through corporate sponsorship and giving, legacy giving or a modest monthly donation, every contribution helps build a more inclusive Kansas City.
To learn how to get involved, email info@michaelswonderworld.com and discover how you can be part of bringing this extraordinary vision to life.