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.

Here’s a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of Oct. 13-19:

Correction: the date of the symphony concert in the park at Meadowbrook Park was listed incorrectly in our 9/18 highlights. Our apologies for any inconvenience. Here’s the corrected listing: 

Oct. 9 - Kansas City Symphony Concert in the Park (All Ages) 

• Meadowbrook Park Great Lawn, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 6 to 7 p.m., FREE
• Musicians from the Kansas City Symphony will be performing neighborhood concerts in JCPRD parks, most with the symphony’s Mobile Music Box stage. All events are weather permitting. 

Oct. 5 - Boating: Johnson County Sailing Society - Come Sail With Us! (Ages 18 and Older) 

• Shawnee Mission Park Marina Parking Lot, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee & Lenexa, Noon to 2 p.m. FREE
• Final session of 2024! - All sailors and sailing enthusiasts are warmly welcome to join society members for lunch and sailing. Bring your sack lunch, and afterwards you will have an opportunity to sail a variety of vessels while participating in water activities like mock races or a sailing scavenger hunt. Activity number 38868. For more information, call Nick Hockman at 913-268-5683.

Oct. 11 registration deadline, program is Oct. 17 - Games: Chili Bingo (Ages 50 and Older)

• Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., $17 per person, $19 nonresidents
• Celebrate the changing of the seasons meeting new friends over a mild chili, salad, and cinnamon roll dinner - it’s a Kansas thing! Twelve games of bingo included. Prizes can range from gift cards to gift baskets. Cost of admission covers snacks and staff time to administer the bingo program. No additional charge for bingo. Activity number 40430.

Oct. 14 - Camp: Mrs. Goetsch's Fall Fun Day Camp (Ages 5-9) 

• Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., $75 per person, $82 nonresidents
• Join Mrs. Goetsch for a one-day fun camp on your child’s day off from school! Campers will engage in fall themed hands-on learning activities with pumpkins, apples, and a sprinkle of Halloween. Campers will need to bring their own lunch, snack and water bottle. All other materials will be provided! Dress to mess! Activity number 40438.

Oct. 14 - Group Swim Lessons (Ages 6 Months and Older)

• Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center, 17251 W. 87th St., Lenexa, day and beginning times vary, 15 classes in seven levels, beginning times vary, 8 30-min. sessions, $65 per child, $72 nonresidents
• Evening classes available. Lesson levels include: Preschool A, Preschool B, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4. Most levels are assigned based on skill level rather than age. Find descriptions of swim levels, or use our Swim Level Assessment Form. Registration opens Sept. 30.

Oct. 15 - Bingo - The Beatles Story (Ages 50 and Older)

• New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Pkwy., near Gardner, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., $6 per person, $7 nonresidents
• BINGO! Delight in food, prizes, fun and 12 games of bingo. Variety of prizes awarded including gift cards. Please pre-register at least one week in advance. Payment is required at time of registration. For the enjoyment of all participants, children are not permitted to attend 50 Plus bingos. Cost of admission covers snacks and staff time to administer the bingo program. No additional charge for bingo. Activity number 40409.

Oct. 15 - Cards: Bridge Workshops - Jacoby Transfer (Ages 50 and Older) 

• Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, 4 to 6 p.m., $13 per person, $14 nonresidents
• Become an in-demand partner with these bridge workshops. Fun and easy classes help you master a new subject each week. Purchase each workshop individually or take them all! Workshops include hands on instruction and handouts to take home. Activity number 40213. 

Oct. 16 - Early Learning: Silly Sensory Walk (Ages 1-4 with Adult)

• Meadowbrook Park - Shelter #1, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., $4 per person, $5 nonresidents
• Explore the park with a group and find fun and tactile ways to interact along the way! Limit of two children per adult. Activity number 40457.

Oct. 16 - Preschool Storytime: Animal Tales – Creepy Critters (Ages 2-6 with an Adult)

• Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, select Wednesdays, 10:30 to 11 a.m., $3 per person 
• Join a park naturalist for animal stories and surprises geared for preschool age children. Come listen, learn, and meet a special animal friend every time. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Program held indoors. Activity number 40157. 

Oct. 16 - Nature & Outdoors: Full Moon Hike (Ages 8 nd Older)

• Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, 6:30 to 8 p.m., $10 per person, $11 nonresidents 
• Join us for a quiet hike to connect with nature and the night sounds. Let your eyes adjust to the darkness that falls to experience the park in the light of the full moon. Take a guided hike down the trails and listen for owl hoots. Warm up by a fire, toast marshmallows and listen to stories by firelight. Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Activity number 40249. For information, call 913-826-2800.

Oct. 17 - Nature Journaling Workshop (Adults and Ages 12 and Older) 

• Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, Thursday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., cost for a single sessions is $15 per person or $17 nonresidents 
• NEW! (3rd of 5) Immerse yourself into nature through journaling. In this workshop series, participants will engage with the natural world around them, honing their observation skills and creativity while documenting their experiences in a personal nature journal. Each session will offer a blend of outdoor excursions, hands-on activities, and guided journaling prompts to inspire a deeper connection with the environment. Whether you are a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, come discover the beauty and wonder of nature through the lens of your journal. This program is an indoor/outdoor program, please dress for the weather. Art supplies will be provided, but you will need to bring your own journal if you do not sign up for the full series. Activity number 40296.

Oct. 18 - Museum: Kids' Day Out (Ages 6-10)

• Johnson County Museum at Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $42 per person, $33.60 for museum members 
• Come have fun when school is out! Discover history through hands-on activities and exploration of KidScape and museum exhibits, play games, and enjoy down time. Bring a lunch, snacks, and water bottle and dress for the weather - we will go outside if we can. We are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but you may drop off and pick up at any time. Five-year-old children can be enrolled if currently attending kindergarten. Activity number 39849. For program questions, call the museum, 913-715-2570.

Oct. 18 - Special Event: Golden Olympics (Ages 50 and Older)

• Meadowbrook Park, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 10 a.m. to Noon, $15 per person, $16 nonresidents
• NEW! Are you ready to build lasting friendships through teamwork and taking on fun, new challenges with other participants? There will be a diversity of activities to take part in, accommodating various physical abilities. Who will take home the gold? Each participant will sign up as an individual and be placed on a team. Light refreshments provided. Activity number 40482.

Oct. 19 - Special Event: 14th Annual Cars in the Park Car Show (All Ages)

• Theatre in the Park in Shawnee Mission Park with separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., FREE for public to attend, $35 for vehicle entry
• Join us for an unforgettable day of horsepower and hotrods at Cars in the Park, a FREE event benefiting JCPRD's Special Olympics team the the Stormin' Rangers! This event is fun for all ages, with a live DJ, delicious food trucks, exciting raffle prizes, and hundreds of classic, modern and unique rides that every enthusiast will love. This is a rain-or-shine event. However, in the case of severe weather, call our Information Line: 913-636-6030. For more information, contact Special Populations Coordinator Lise Dujakovich at lise.dujakovich@jocogov.org. Money from this event will provide scholarships to our athletes helping to reduce the registration fees and tournament costs. To register a vehicle by the Oct. 19 deadline, see activity number 40137.