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 Sept. 1-7:

Aug. 19 RSVP date, event is Aug. 22 – 2024 JCPRD Poster Reveal & Artist Talkback (All Ages)

• Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 6 to 7:30 p.m., FREE
• Join us for the reveal of the four new designs to be added to the JCPRD Poster Collection! Four local artists were commissioned to feature scenes from Antioch Park, Ernie Miller Park, Mill Creek Streamway Park, and Stilwell Community Park using the iconic and majestic style used by the Federal Art Project artists of the 1930s. Selected 2024 artists are: Haley Chaffin, Sol Anzorena, Ruthie Osa and Julia Morris. Posters, notecards, postcards and stickers will be on sale at the event with all proceeds supporting the JCPRD Public Art Program. Items will continue to be on sale following the event at the Johnson County Museum gift shop, open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and the Parks & Green Spaces website. This project is generously funded by AT&T and supported by The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County.

Sept. 3 - Biking: Pedal Kids USA - Learn To Pedal (Ages 5-10)

• Meadowbrook Park Shelter #1, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, 4 sessions, $155 per person, $171 nonresidents
• Experience the joy of learning to ride a bike with Pedal Kids and celebrate one of life's most important milestones! Bid farewell to anxiety, struggles and tears as we make every step of the journey a thrilling adventure of building self-confidence and joy. Our certified coaches weave play-based challenges and games into our unique 4-week Learn To Pedal curriculum, ensuring that children love every stage of learning. A helmet and operational bicycle that allows the child to put their feet flat on the ground while sitting on the seat is required (rental bikes available upon request for additional fee). Activity number 40360.

Sept. 3 - Pickleball: Workshops - Lobs/Defense (Ages 18 and Older)

• Meadowbrook Park, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 5 to 6 p.m., $15 per person, $16 nonresidents
• NEW! Designed for beginner and intermediate players who want to take their pickleball game to the next level. Basic knowledge and understanding of pickleball required. Equipment is not provided; space is limited. Activity number 40521.

Sept. 3 - 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 
• 1st of a New Season! 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 39846. For program questions, call the museum, 913-715-2570.

Sept. 3 & ongoing - Crafts: Caring Hands Knitting Group (Ages 50 and Older)

• Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m., FREE
• 1st of a new season! Join this generous group of individuals who knit and crochet hats for charity. Free lessons given to beginners. The Roeland Park Community Center accepts yarn, knitting needles, and hat donations year-round from those unable to attend meetings. Activity number 40107. Call 913-826-3160 to learn how you can contribute.

Sept. 4 - Yoga: Rise and Shine Yoga (Ages 16 and Older)

• Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, Wednesdays, 6 to 7 a.m., 4 sessions, $36 per person, $40 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 40163. 

Sept. 4  - Preschool Storytime: Animal Tales – Dino Discovery (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 
• 1st of a new season! - Join a park naturalist for animal stories and surprises geared for preschool age children offered every two weeks through Dec. 18. 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 33894.

Sept. 4 - Pickleball: Beginning Lessons (Ages 50 and Older)

• New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Pkwy., near Gardner, 1 to 2:30 p.m., $20 per person, $22 nonresidents
• Get in on the most talked about sport in town! Learn the basic rules of pickleball in one lesson then start playing at any of our drop-in locations. Equipment provided; space is limited. Class for new and beginning players. Activity number 40444.

Sept. 5 - Nature & Outdoors: Little Critter’s Day Out (Ages 3-5)

• Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m., 14 sessions, $310 per child, $341 nonresidents 
• Your Little Critter will enjoy three hours of fun and education as you enjoy some personal time! Activities will vary but we will have an adventure, eat a snack, make a craft, play games and see an animal visitor each day. Dress for the weather. Children must be potty trained. For more information call 913-826-2800. Advanced registration required. Activity number 40133. 

Sept. 5 - JCPRD Lifeguard Training – September (Ages 15 and Older)

• Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center, 17251 W. 87th Street, Lenexa, 4 to 6 p.m. session via Zoom on Sept. 5; on-site from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 6, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily on Sept. 7 & 8, FREE to potential JCPRD employees
• This blended learning American Red Cross Lifeguarding class is intended for potential JCPRD employees only. If you do not wish to lifeguard for JCPRD, then this is not the class for you. To attend a class, please complete the Lifeguard Application.

Sept. 5 - Exercise: Tai Chi (Ages 50 and Older)

• Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, Thursdays, 5 to 5:50 p.m., 4 sessions, $38 per person, $42 nonresidents
• Tai Chi offers a slow and gentle exercise with benefits in endurance, flexibility and muscle strengthening. All experience levels welcome in this course. Activity number 40236.

Sept. 6 - Early Learning: Johnny Appleseed (Ages 2-5) 

• Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $8 per person, $9 nonresidents
• Johnny Appleseed - Jonathan Chapman was a real American Hero! Johnny will tell us all about his travels, and we’ll enjoy stories, songs and a visit from a special animal friend! Activity number 40458.

Sept. 6 - Art: Painter’s Palette or Watercolor (Ages 50 and Older) 

• Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 11902 Lowell, Overland Park, 9:30 a.m. to noon, 5-Punch Art Card $58 per person, $64 nonresidents, 10-Punch Art Card $110 per person, $121 nonresidents 
• Work at your own pace and learn techniques, styles and tips with individual instruction and peer assistance provided across two types of mediums. Classes are on-going, start any time. Check out the first class for free! Five- and ten-punch cards expire three months from date of purchase. Activity number 40203. 

Sept. 6 (2 separate programs) - Art: Homeschool Clay Creations (Ages 6-9 or 8-11)

• Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Fridays, times vary (see below), 4 sessions, $100 per person, $110 nonresidents
• Come get creative and explore clay. Students will get the opportunity to throw on the wheel and hand-build with clay to hone their ceramics skills over a series of four classes. Students will end class with finished pieces ready to fire and glaze in our Art Studio. Session for ages 6-9, 10 to 11:30 a.m., activity number 39253. Session for ages 8-11, 1 to 2:30 p.m., activity number 39252.

Sept. 7 - Fishing: Overnight Saturdays after 11 pm (All Ages)

• Lexington Lake Park, 8850 Sunflower Road, De Soto, 11 p.m. - 5 a.m., permit fees vary
• Final overnight fishing session of 2024 - 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. Activity number 38878.