The first of three Adventure Walks being planned this fall  by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park & Recreation District will take participants to Southwind Rail Trail in Allen County, Kan., in mid-September.

This Southwind Trail Adventure Walk will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Stretching from Iola to Humbolt, this old railway offers a unique trail. The Southwind crosses an old railway bridge, is tree-lined, and offers views of small farms.  

This hike is expected to require an easy level of exertion.  To find this program in the My JCPRD Activities catalog and online listings, browse first under 50 plus and then under nature & outdoors. In the printed catalog and when using the website’s advanced search,  look for the keywords “adventure walks.”

This program will depart at 8 a.m. from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam. The cost for one nine-hour outing, including transportation to the walk site, is $27 per person for Johnson County residents or $30 for nonresidents. Lunch will be at Sam and Louie’s in Iola, with costs on your own.  For more information or to register, call (913) 831-3359 or register online at www.jcprd.com.

Other upcoming adventure walk offerings include: Konza Prairie on Oct. 24, and Pershing State Park on Nov. 7.

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) 826-3030 for space availability.

The My JCPRD Activities catalog is available for pick-up at all Johnson County Library branches.

Join us for a family fun night of fishing during a special event being offered at the Johnson County Park & Recreation District’s TimberRidge Adventure Center in Olathe.

Family Fishing Night is for all ages. A dinner of hotdogs, chips, and apples will be provided from 5 to 5:30 pm.  This will be followed by fishing at Catfish Pond (one of three lakes on the property) from 5:30 to 7 pm with boats available.  Parents need to be able to assist their children with fishing.  We will end the evening roasting marshmallows at a campfire from 7 to 7:30 pm.  Staff will assist with boats and can help with basic fishing questions. Note that life vests must be worn when boating.  Bring your own pole and tackle or we can provide a fishing pole.  We will also provide bait and marshmallows. Participants age 16 and older are required to have a Kansas fishing license, which will not be sold on site.

To find this program in the My JCPRD Activities catalog and online listings, browse first under special events and then under fun for all. In the catalog and when using the website’s advanced search,  look for the keyword “fishing.”

This program will take place beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 7, at the  TimberRidge Adventure Center, 12300 S. Homestead Lane, Olathe. The cost for this three-hour program is $12 per person for Johnson County residents or $13 per person for nonresidents, including adults. Preregistration is required for this program.

For more information or to register by phone, call (913) 831-3359 or register online at www.jcprd.com.

Printed copies of the My JCPRD Activities catalog are available for pickup at all Johnson County Library branches.

A construction project which will add an accessible trail to the Off-Leash Dog Area in Shawnee Mission Park will begin on Aug. 13, and will result in the complete closure of the popular off-leash area for about five weeks.

This project involves the construction of approximately one half mile of concrete trail between the parking lot and the existing ramp down to the dog beach area. The new trail will follow the spine of the hill, and will replace the existing wood-chipped trail.

The goal of this project "is to improve ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) access to the beach," said Project Manager Megan Merryman. "In general, as an agency, we are making significant efforts to make our parks more accessible for everyone."

Freeman Concrete Construction of Shawnee was the successful bidder for this project. As detailed in the contract, Freeman will have 35 calendar days to complete construction.

In addition to lasting longer, concrete also has advantages in regards to maintenance and repairs.  

"It's easier for us in the future to have to go in and replace just a few sections of damaged concrete as opposed to having to bring in an asphalt truck again," Merryman said. "In theory, we could replace or repair damaged concrete a lot easier with a lot less disturbance to the public than asphalt."

Another minor aspect of the project will involve bringing in fill dirt to improve the trail elevation at a low spot near the parking lot.  

Like the district's streamway trails, the new paved trail will be ten feet wide.

During the scheduled closure, park staff will make additional improvements to the area, including fencing the east and west boundaries to enclose the entire off-leash area. The new fence will ultimately provide a safer area for dogs and their owners.  

Just a friendly reminder that in addition to being potentially hazardous to both dogs and people, entering the off-leash area during this construction closure, which also includes the parking lot, will be considered trespassing.

During the closure, off-leash area patrons are encouraged to use alternative off-leash areas, including three others operated by JCPRD, and others operated by outside agencies. Other JCPRD off-leash areas are located in: Heritage Park 16050 Pflumm Road, Olathe; Thomas S. Stoll Memorial Park, 12500 W. 119th St., Overland Park; and near the Kill Creek Streamway Park access point at 33460 W. 95th St., De Soto. Other area dog parks include: Leawood Dog Park, 10601 Lee Boulevard, Leawood; and two areas operated by the city of Kansas City, Mo., in Penn Valley Park at 28th & Wyandotte St., and in Swope Park at 4701 E. Gregory Blvd.
 

The new season of Animal Tales Storytime, which is being presented by the Johnson County Park & Recreation District’s Outdoor Education Department, includes sessions at two locations . The program will include sessions at  both the Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe, as well as at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center in Overland Park.

Animal Tales Storytime invites young children and their parents to come listen and learn during any or all of the 11sessions scheduled on selected Wednesdays , and one Thursday, between Sept. 5 and Dec. 19.
 
Animal Tales Storytime is for ages two to six. All children must be accompanied by an adult. This program will feature stories, songs, and surprises. Participants will also get to meet a special animal friend at each session. Animal Tales Storytime was one of the many programs cited when the Ernie Miller Nature Center won an Oracle Award for Organizational Service and Leadership in the South Central Region from the National Storytelling Network a few years ago. To find this program in the My JCPRD Activities catalog and online listings, browse first under preschool and then under nature & outdoors. In the catalog and when using the website’s advanced search, look for the keyword “storytelling.”
 
Animal presentations at the Ernie Miller Nature Center include:  a  Sept. 5 session called “Monarch Magic;” a  Sept. 19 session called "Johnny Appleseed;" an Oct. 3 session called "Fall Colors;"   an Oct. 17 session called "Night Critters;" a Nov. 7 session called "Forest Peek-a-boo;" a Dec. 5 session called  "Mrs. Claus Reads;" and a Dec. 19 session called, "A Visit with Santa." Sessions at JCAHC include: an encore presentation of  "Johnny Appleseed;" on Sept. 26;  an  Oct. 18 program called  "Fall Sights & Sounds;" a Nov. 14 program called "Turkey Time;" and a Dec. 12 program called "Feathered Friends."

At either location, the cost per 30-minute session is $2 per person, including adults, payable at the event. Advance registrations are not necessary for this program. With the sole exception of the Oct. 18 program at JCAHC, which takes place on a Thursday, all other sessions take place on a Wednesday. Sessions at EMNC begin at 10:30 a.m., while JCAHC sessions begin at 10 a.m.
 
Ernie Miller Nature Center is located at 909 N. Kansas-7 Highway, Olathe. The Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center is located at 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park. For more information about this program, contact the nature center at (913) 826-2800.