Johnson County Park and Recreation District Program Highlights - July 19, 2023

Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our community, Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers year-round program, activities, and special events for all ages!

For more information or to register online for the programs listed here, visit JCPRD.com/Register and complete a search for any of the activity numbers listed below. To register by phone, call 913-831-3359.

A reminder that while JCPRD’s 50 Plus programs are primarily for people who are age 50 or older, interested parties who have not yet reached that magic age may still be able to attend. Persons 18 and older who are interested in a 50 Plus class are invited to call the 50 Plus Department at 913-826-2975 for space availability.

I’ve attached photos that go with: Sailing II, Retro Storytime, Pickleball, and Movies in the Park

Here’s a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of Aug. 6-12:

Aug. 7 - Museum: Sensory Friendly Monday (All Ages)

Johnson County Museum at Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 9 a.m. to Noon, $4 per person for ages up to 18, $6 per person for ages 18 to 59, and $5 per person for ages 60 and older

Come enjoy the Johnson County Museum and the newly-improved KidScape in a comfortable, low-sensory environment. This limited-occupancy monthly session is designed specifically for children with sensory processing differences and Autism Spectrum Disorders, and their families. We welcome visitors of all abilities and museum experience. We also welcome hand fidgets, comfort items, weighted blankets and vests, and mobility devices.  This program is offered in partnership with Britain Development, a program of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission. Activity number 26422. For questions about this program, please call 913-715-2570.

Aug. 7 & 11 - Gymnastics: Indoor Playground (Ages 1-5)

Mill Creek Activity Center, 6518 Vista Dr., Shawnee, 11 a.m. to noon, $5 per person

Indoor Playground incorporates fun-filled playtime with obstacle courses and play gym equipment. Children up to 5 years of age will have the opportunity to focus their energy while developing strength and agility. Parent/legal guardian will be asked to sign a waiver and an adult must be present with their child at all times. Monday session on Aug. 7, activity number 29221.  Friday session on Aug. 11, activity number 29222. Call 913-826-2950 for any questions.

Aug. 8 - Cards: Bridge Workshops – Rule of 15 & 20 (Ages 50 & Older)

Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, 4 to 6 p.m., $12 per person, $13 nonresidents

Become an in-demand partner with these bridge workshops. Fun and easy classes help you master a new subject each week. Workshops include handouts to take home. Activity number 26898. See other upcoming Bridge Workshops.

Aug. 8 - Adventure Walk: Prairie Center Park (Ages 50 & Older)

Departs from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch, Merriam, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $25 per person, $27 nonresidents

Enjoy a popular trail for birding and hiking at this beautiful nature reserve. This trail will have slight inclines on a natural/gravel path. Bring a packed lunch or snack for after the hike. We may also stop somewhere for a sweet treat on the way back. Food costs on your own. Activity number 26815.

Aug. 8 - Boating: Sailing II (Ages 18 & Older)

Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee and Lenexa, Aug. 8, 10, 12, 19 & 26, times vary, 2 - 2 hr. indoor sessions & 3 - 3 hr. outdoor sessions, $83 per person, $91 nonresidents

Experience the excitement of learning to sail a Sweet 16 sailboat. Class will cover weather observation, two-sail rigging, twin-hull nomenclature, safety, trailering, and trailer maintenance. Class will be divided into two indoor lecture sessions and three water sessions. The indoor sessions will be held on Aug. 8 and 10 at the Shawnee Mission Park Admin Building, Sunflower Room. The outdoor sessions will begin on Saturday, Aug. 12 at Shawnee Mission Park Marina. Participants must have successfully completed either an American Red Cross or JCPRD Sailing I class prior to enrollment. If you have your own boat and wish to use it, please call Ofc. Seth Salmans at 913-826-3491. Basic swimming skills are required. Activity number 26472.

Aug. 9 - Museum: Retro Storytime - “Tommy Visits the Doctor”  (All Ages)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, All Ages, 10 to 10:45 a.m., $2 per person, $1.60 members.

Preschoolers love stories from long ago, read by a special guest from the 1950s All-Electric House! Craft activity included after the story ends. In this Little Golden book from 1962, a boy named Tommy and a rabbit named Bobby visit their doctors. Activity number 26415.

Aug. 9 - Early Learning: Cooks and Books (Ages 2-5 with an Adult)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave, Prairie Village, 10:30 to 11 a.m., $4 per person, $5 nonresidents

Enjoy the reading of a favorite children's book and make a coordinating craft. A recipe for an easy, kid-friendly snack will be given out. Activity number 26818.

Aug. 9 - Special Event: Gamin’ with the Grandkids (Ages 5 & Older with 50 & Older)

Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 11902 Lowell, Overland Park, 1:30 to 3 p.m., $7 per person, $8 nonresidents

Soak up the last days of summer and enjoy an afternoon of back-to-school fun with interactive table games, bingo, dancing, light refreshments, and more! Activity number 26702.

Aug. 9 - Rise & Shine Yoga (Ages 16 & Older)

Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, Wednesdays, 6 to 7 a.m., 4 sessions, $34 per person, $37 nonresidents

Start your day with an invigorating yoga practice at Ernie Miller Nature Center. This is yoga for anybody. All are welcome, no experience necessary! This class will focus on gentle stretching, serenity, and rejuvenation, and will be tailored to individual abilities. Please bring your mat to class. Meet at the parking lot flagpole to walk into the building together at 6 a.m. Instructor is Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher Robin Olson. Activity number 31772.

Aug. 10 - Pickleball: Pickleball 101 (Ages 18 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Pickleball Courts, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Thursdays, 8 to 9:30 a.m. or 9:30 to 11 a.m., 4 sessions, $52 per person, $55 nonresidents

Learn all things pickleball! This four-week course is great for new and beginning players. Each week will focus on a new topic covering all the basics like terminology, scoring, rules, serving, strategy, and more. Equipment not provided, bring your own paddle. 8 a.m. to 9:30 session, activity number 26656. 9:30 to 11 a.m. session, activity number 26659.

Aug. 10 - Pickleball: Pickleball 102 (Ages 18 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Pickleball Courts, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Mondays, Noon to 1:30 p.m., 4 sessions, $52 per person, $55 nonresidents

Have you taken pickleball 101 and ready for the next step? If yes, this class is for you. You will continue to work on all the basics of the game, while enhancing your game to the next level. Activity number 26802.

Aug. 11 - Pickleball: Practice Play (Ages 18 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Pickleball Courts, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Fridays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 4 sessions, $60 per person, $66 nonresidents

Start the day with a short lesson and progress into single tournament play. All individuals play each other each week, with results recorded. Activity number 26806.

Aug. 11 - Movies in the Park: “The Goonies” (Rated PG)

Theatre in the Park in Shawnee Mission Park with a separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee, Gates open at 8 p.m., movie starts between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m., depending on sunset, $1 per person

Old-fashioned yarn about a band of adventurous kids who take on the might of a property developing company which plans to destroy their home to build a country club. When the children discover an old pirate map in the attic, they follow it into an underground cavern in search of lost treasure but come up against plenty of dangerous obstacles along the way. Learn more about 2023 Movies in the Park offerings.

Aug. 11 - Pickleball: Intermediate Drilling (Ages 18 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Pickleball Courts, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Fridays, 8 to 9:30 a.m., 4 sessions, $52 per person, $55 nonresidents , drop shots, volley, and groundstrokes. Improve your game by learning and implementing fun and effective drills to daily practice. Bring your own paddle. Activity number 26644.

Aug. 12 - Lanesfield Historic Site - Open Hours (All Ages)

18745 S. Dillie Road, Edgerton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month, FREE

The limestone schoolhouse, the last remaining structure in the former town of Lanesfield, is the oldest operating schoolhouse in Johnson County. Students attended from 1869 - 1963 when the school closed. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The site today includes the original schoolhouse, four outbuildings, and a modern visitors center that houses the exhibit One-Room Schools in Kansas, a museum store, and restrooms. For questions, call 913-715-2570.

Aug. 12 - Fishing: Overnight Saturdays after 11 pm (All Ages)

Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee and Lenexa, 11 p.m. - 5 a.m., permit fees vary

The park will be open for fishing only and park police officers will be on duty throughout the night. Before fishing, area anglers will need to have a valid Kansas fishing license, a Johnson County Park and Recreation District fishing permit, trout permit if fishing for trout and all appropriate boat tags, if applicable. For all dates, see activity number 26489.