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 May 28-June 3:

May 28 registration deadline, games begin June 21 - Little Ballers Basketball (Age 4 - 4th Grade)

• New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Parkway, near Gardner, Wednesday evenings, times vary, the cost is $65 per person for Kindergarten and under and first and second grade, and $75 per person for third and fourth grade - For Kindergarten and under and 1st and 2nd grade leagues, co-ed leagues will meet once a week for one hour of practice followed by 3v3 format games. For 3rd and 4th grade leagues, participants will be separated into boys’ and girls' leagues, which will meet for one practice during the week starting June 21. Games format is 5v5. Game day shirt and participation award included. To register for these programs, go to secure.rec1.com/KS/gardner-ks/catalog, click on Youth Programs and scroll down to Little Ballers. For questions, call 913-826-2850.

May 30 - Performing Group Music: New Horizons Band (Ages 50 and Older)

• New location during Roeland Park Community Center Remodel! Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., four sessions, $30 per person, $33 nonresidents - Dig out your old instrument or purchase/rent a new one and join our group of fun-loving musicians. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t played in years! Through a cooperative effort between UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, Meyer Music, and JCPRD, this band offers an opportunity to make music in a relaxed, learning atmosphere. Activity number 26912. Call 913-826-3160 for details.

May 30 through June 2 - Buddy Pegs: Learn to Pedal (Ages 3-5)

• Meadowbrook Park Grand Pavilion, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Tuesday through Friday, 5 to 6 p.m., four sessions, $120 per person, $132 nonresidents - Buddy Pegs certified coaches weave their unique Learn to Pedal curriculum into play-based challenges and games. Students learn the fundamentals of riding a bike without pedals (no training wheels) thanks to our no-pedal glide method of teaching. This helps develop the muscle memory and confidence needed to pedal independently. Once the class is pedaling and braking safely on their own, it’s time to roll out and learn how to ride safely in a group, alongside other trail users. Each participant will expand his/her cycling knowledge, skills and distance. The class culminates with a destination ride (parents welcome). Balance bike or training wheel riders are welcome! Participants may bring their own bike or rent a bike. Activity number 26807.

May 30 - Reading: Wanderlust Book Club - “Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler’s Journey Home” (Ages 50 and Older) 

• Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 2 to 3 p.m., $5 per person, $6 nonresidents - Intertwine your love of travel and a good book with a travel-themed book club. Each month, enjoy the selected book from the list and conclude the month at the clubhouse with a group discussion on how it relates to your travel and how it may inspire your Wanderlust. This month’s book is “Ten Years a Nomad: A Traveler’s Journey Home” by Matthew Kepnes. Part memoir and part philosophical look at why we travel, this book filled with stories of Kepnes' adventures abroad, an exploration of wanderlust, and what it truly means to be a nomad. Activity number 26880. 

May 30 - Cards: Bridge Workshops – Responders / Openers Rebids (Ages 50 and Older) 

• Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, 4 to 6 p.m., $12 per person, $13 nonresidents - Become an in-demand partner with these bridge workshops. Fun and easy classes help you master a new subject each week. Workshops include handouts to take home. Activity number 26704.

May 31 - Games: Virtual Scattergories® (Ages 50 and Older)

• Virtual Program, 10 to 11 a.m., FREE - Think fast and write quicker in this fun and fast-paced game of alliterative words and categories!  Zoom link will be emailed the day prior to the program. Zoom information is also on the receipt notes. Activity number 26609.

May 31 - Special Event: Challenge Island (Ages 5 and Older with a Grandparent)

• Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $16 per person, $18 nonresidents - NEW! Attention grandparents! Grab your grandkids and buckle your seatbelts for an action-packed Challenge Island adventure for all ages! In this 90-minute session you'll visit Amusement Park Island© where you and your family STEAM Team will create thrill rides at exciting destinations like Roller Coaster Cliff and Zipline Zone! Activity number 26868.

June 1 - Multi-Sport: Amazing Athletes (Ages 3-5)

• Meadowbrook Park Shelter #1, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Thursdays, 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., five sessions, $102 per person, $122 nonresidents - Amazing Athletes uses a multi-sport program to introduces the fundamentals of 10 different sports in a non-competitive environment. Children in Amazing Athletes routinely gain greater confidence, learn to combine fitness with fun, and develop six key motor skills. Equipment provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes. Activity number 26824. Separate session on same dates from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., activity number 26825.

June 2 - Meadowbrook Festival (All Ages)

• Meadowbrook Park, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 4 to 8 p.m., FREE - Join us for the 2nd Annual Meadowbrook Park Festival when the Great Lawn comes to life! Shop Farfalla Events local artists + makers, sample a range of menus at the Food Truck Alley, and enjoy live music throughout the evening including special performances for kids and families. Kids entertainers, Mr. Stinky Feet and Funky Mama, will perform from 4 to 6 p.m., while headliner Velvet Jackson will bring fun and nostalgia to the main stage from 6 to 8 p.m. performing hits from the 80s, 90s and today! Walk or bike in, bring a blanket or chairs and gather with neighbors, family and friends to celebrate art and our parks!

June 2-4 and 7-10 - “Freaky Friday” Rated G at Theatre in the Park (All Ages)

• 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee, 8:30 p.m., Tickets are $10 (plus tax) for general admission, $6 (plus tax) for youth (Ages 4-10) Children 3 and under are FREE (but require a ticket.) - When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. By spending a day in each other's shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another's struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter. Bring the family and a blanket or chair and enjoy live musical theater performances under the stars in beautiful Shawnee Mission Park! Visit theatreinthepark.org for more details. 

June 3 - Day Trip: Good ‘Ol Days Festival (Ages 50 & Older)

• Departs from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch, Merriam, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., $99 per person - Enjoy this Fort Scott, Kan., downtown summer festival full of food, musical entertainment, and craft vendors. Take a walk across the street to Fort Scott and see live reenactments, demonstrations, and the grounds. Meet for lunch as a group in downtown. Don't miss this small town come alive for the Good 'Ol Days Festival. High level of walking and areas of uneven walkways are to be expected on this trip. Activity number 26688.

June 3 and 4 - Great American Campout presented by Core Equipment (Ages 4 and Older)

• Open field just south of the Theater in the Park, Shawnee Mission Park, 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee and Lenexa, 2 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday, $10 per person, family of four $30, children three and under free - Step away from the stresses of daily life and camp with us under the stars in Shawnee Mission Park.  Fee includes campsite, evening smores, bagel, juice and/or coffee the following morning. One low price allows you to camp with your entire family, hassle free! Campers will need to bring their own camping gear and all other food and beverages (kid friendly, please). Join us for some family fun! Participants will receive free admission to the beach on Saturday, and 50% off on Sunday, plus 50% off admission to the Theatre in the Park's production of “Freaky Friday" on Saturday. Activity number 26545.

June 3 and 4 - Fishing: Annual Free Weekend! (All Ages)

• Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee and Lenexa, and Kill Creek Park, 11670 Homestead Lane, Olathe, and all other JCPRD lakes where fishing is normally allowed, All Ages, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., FREE - The weekend of June 3 and 4 has been established as free fishing weekend in Johnson County Park and Recreation District lakes where fishing is normally allowed. This coincides with the State of Kansas’ “Free Fishing and Park Entrance Days” at state parks whereby state fishing licenses are also waived. Fishing, boating, and archery permits will be waived in district parks from 5 a.m.-11 p.m. on these days only. JCPRD trout permits are still required if fishing for trout at Shawnee Mission and Kill Creek Park lakes. Activity number 26488. For more information call 913-888-4713.