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. 20-26:

Oct. 19 - Plogtober (All Ages) 

• Ernie Miller Nature Park, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, Thursday, 9 a.m. to Noon, FREE
• NEW! Cleanup is a great way to get outdoors and get some exercise while engaging in a socially responsible activity that beautifies the streamside trails in our community. Join us for this free event and help us spot litter, log it, and clean it up! For more information, contact Amy Keigher at 913-715-7000 or at amy.keigher@jocogov.org.

Oct. 21 - Special Interest: Finding & Preserving Your Family Roots (Ages 50 and Older)

• Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, 10 to 11 a.m., FREE
• NEW! The Johnson County Genealogical Society will present an overview of free genealogy resources and services available to the public online and in person. Learn about the genealogy desk at the Johnson County Central Resource Library staffed by volunteers who can assist you with your family history. This presentation will describe online databases, forms and information that can get you started or assist no matter where you are in your ancestral journey. Find out about one-on-one help as well on how to digitize your old photos, slides, movies, VHS tapes and more in the free Memory Lab. Activity number 40189.

Oct. 22 - Games: Outburst® (Ages 50 and Older)

• Virtual Program, 1 to 2 p.m., FREE
• "Cars that start with 'C'!...GO!" Come play this virtual game of verbal explosions. You'll yell, you'll laugh, you'll rack your brain! Most importantly, you'll have a good OUTBURST! Activity number 40112.

Oct. 23 - Art: Felt Flowers - Fall Wreath (Ages 30 and Older) 

• Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 1 to 3:30 p.m., $59 per person, $65 nonresidents
• NEW! Make a felt flower wreath that will last year to year. Learn how to sculpt different types of flowers by cutting and gluing felt together. Arrange your floral creations to make a fall wreath. No experience needed. Activity number 40566.

Oct. 24 - Special Interest: AARP Smart Driver Course (Ages 50 and Older)

• Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pay with check at the door made out to AARP - $20, $25 non-AARP members
• Keep driving skills sharp and lower insurance rates at the same time! Completing an AARP Smart Driver Course can mean a discount with some insurance companies. No tests given, please bring your AARP membership card. Reserve your spot, space is limited! Pay with check at the door made out to AARP. Activity number 40467.

Oct. 24 - 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! (4th 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 40297.

Oct. 25 - Gymnastics: Handspring Clinic (Ages 6-14)

• Mill Creek Activity Center, 6518 Vista Dr., Shawnee, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., $16 per person, $18 nonresidents
• This skill clinic is designed for gymnasts interested in improving or mastering their back and front handsprings. Participants should already have Level 2 / 3 gymnastics skills. For an optimal learning experience, it is encouraged for participants to have a round off, front limber, and back bend kick over. Activity number 39610.

Oct. 25 - Preschool: Creepy Crawly Halloween Party (Ages 2-5 with an Adult)

• Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $8 per person, $9 nonresidents)
• Take a spooky trip to the clubhouse! Enjoy a morning of Halloween activities, costumes, and fun including a snack and take-home craft. Activity number 40365.

Oct. 25 - Family Fun: Pumpkin Palooza (All Ages)

• Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., $12 per person, $13 nonresidents
• NEW! Show off your pumpkin carving skills at this event that is sure to ignite your creativity and get you in the spooky spirit! We will take a photo of each finished pumpkin to add to our Facebook page to be voted upon by the public. Once voting ends, the top three winners will be contacted to collect their prize! Enjoy holiday treats, s’mores, and cider while carving your creation. Pumpkins will be provided. Carving supplies will be available, but feel free to bring your own as well. Activity number 40502.

Oct. 25 - JCPRD JamBOOree (All Ages)

• New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Parkway near Gardner, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
• Join us for a BOO-tastic family night featuring Halloween-themed activities, thrills, chills, and treats on the One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Soccer Field. Come dressed in your Halloween best and trick-or-treat from 5 to 7 p.m. At 6:45 p.m., head over to the basketball courts to watch “Monsters University” on the big screen. Nonperishable food donations are welcome at the door! View event details. 

Oct. 26 - Halloween: Haunted Tales Variety Show (Adults and Ages 8 and Older)

• Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, Thursday, 7:30 to 9 p.m., $9 per person or $10 nonresidents 
• NEW!  Step right up, thrill-seekers! Prepare to be spellbound by a spine-tingling variety show like no other! Brace yourselves for chilling tales, ghoulish games, and mysterious music. Meet spook-tacular animal friends! Enjoy a scary variety show at our outdoor amphitheater and then take a night hike on your own. Dress for the weather. For more information, call 913-826-2800. In case of inclement weather, program will be held inside the nature center. Activity number 40306. 

Oct. 26 - Fall Public Hayride (All Ages)

• Oak Ridge Parklands in Shawnee Mission Park, 7460 Ogg Road, Shawnee, offered Saturdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; $12 per person, $13 nonresidents
• Enjoy the outdoors with a hayride through Oak Ridge Parklands on the north side of Shawnee Mission Park. Your hayride concludes with a warm campfire where marshmallows and apple cider await. Advance registration required. Children 2 and under are free. Activity number 40242.

Oct. 26 - Mildale Farm Fall Fest (All Ages)

• Mildale Farm, 35250 W. 199th Street, Edgerton, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., FREE to attend, food available for purchase
• Bring the family and spend the day exploring the Mildale Farm property and enjoy a number of fall activities during this free public event. Visitors can explore and picnic on the 158-acre site including the 22-acre rental property. Park near Mildale Farm’s main barn which features peg construction and a hand-laid brick floor. Nearby, you’ll find cider and coffee and a pumpkin patch. A petting zoo (with feed available for a small fee), a DJ, disc golf, and food for purchase from Chris Cakes and Chick-Fil-A are also planned. A tractor-drawn hayride will take visitors to a fire circle in the south-central portion of the Mildale site, where they can roast marshmallows and enjoy storytelling. Catch-and-release fishing in any or all seven ponds within the 158-acre area will also be offered, so bring your own bait and tackle, and Cops and Bobbers will be on hand to provide fishing opportunities for the little ones. While JCPRD fishing permits have been waived for this event, Kansas residents ages 16 to 74 and nonresidents 16 and older need to have a Kansas state fishing license. Chris Cakes will be serving pancakes and sausage onsite from 9 a.m. to noon for $5 a plate, cash or Venmo payment only.  Restrooms will be available in the large equestrian barn, but the property’s two homes and other outbuildings will not be open during this event. Remember, no alcohol is allowed, pets must be on-leash, and vehicles must remain on roadways. For more information, call 913-826-2957. 

Oct. 26 - Lanesfield School Fall Open House (All Ages) 

• Lanesfield Historic Site, 18745 S. Dillie Road, Edgerton, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., FREE
• Celebrate autumn 1904-style while you experience life as a student in a one-room schoolhouse! The Lanesfield Historic Site is the perfect place to take a trip through time. Have old-fashioned fun with hands-on activities, old-fashioned toys, outdoor games, and lessons in the schoolhouse with costumed teachers. Call 913-715-2570 for more information.