By Mallory Ozier

As the fall season unfolds, there are plenty of affordable opportunities to stay active, socialize and explore new hobbies.

Whether you’re looking to get moving, engage your mind with games, or tap into your creative side, Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s 50 Plus Department offers something for everyone.

For those who enjoy socializing through games, there’s an array of $1 drop-in sessions throughout the week. These casual meetups provide a great way to connect with others while enjoying some friendly competition. Games include mahjongg, pitch, hand and foot, Mexican train dominos, bridge and more!

For word lovers, drop-in Scrabble offers a fun way to challenge your vocabulary while meeting new friends. Join the group weekly at 1 p.m. on Thursdays in the Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse.

If you enjoy a variety of games, Board Game Bonanza is the perfect meetup for board game lovers of all levels. The group meets weekly at 1 p.m. on Mondays in the Roeland Park Community Center. Play one of the games provided or bring your own to share!

Maintaining physical activity is important for all ages, and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program provides a low-intensity, chair-based exercise class designed for people of varying abilities. This class focuses on range-of-motion exercises, making it ideal for those with arthritis or mobility challenges. Best of all, you can try the first class for free.

The class schedule is as follows:

• 10:30 a.m. Mondays and 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays at New Century Fieldhouse
• 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at Merriam Community Center
• 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Spring Hill Civic Center
• 1 p.m. Wednesdays and 10:45 a.m. Fridays at Matt Ross Community Center

Each 45-minute class is $3, payable at the door. No registration is required.

Tap into your artistic side with the drop-in paint group at Roeland Park Community Center. Whether you’re a seasoned painter or just starting, this drop-in session welcomes all. Bring your own materials and spend a couple of hours exploring your creativity. The group meets at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays with a $1 drop-in fee.

For a more structured artistic experience, consider taking painter’s palette or watercolor classes.

Participants work at their own pace with individual instruction and peer assistance available. These classes run continuously, so you can join anytime. Five and ten class punch cards offer flexibility. Sessions are available at Matt Ross Community Center and Tomahawk Ridge Community Center.

Check the schedule to find a time that works for you. 

For those who enjoy dancing, the weekly tea dance at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse offers a fun afternoon of live music and dancing. Featuring live music from KC Swing, participants can enjoy tunes from the big band era while dancing and socializing. The dance occurs from 1-3 p.m. every Friday with a $5 fee payable at the door.

View all offerings online at jcprd.com/50plus or call 913-831-3359 for more information.

Mallory Ozier is a 50 Plus recreation coordinator for Johnson County Park and Recreation District.