Welcome to Ernie Miller Nature Center

Gatherings such as weddings, graduations, corporate events, and birthdays are welcome. To ensure the use of a shelter, reservations are recommended.

JCPRD again receives perfect score during national accreditation process

Twenty years after initially joining an elite group of park and recreation agencies which have received accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), the Johnson County Park and Recreation District was rec...

JCPRD board seeks input on name for observation tower and future park

A mid-October deadline has been set for public input on proposed permanent names being considered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District for an observation tower and a new park property.

During its Sept. 18 regular monthly meeting, the Johnson ...

Storm water culvert project in Shawnee Mission Park to begin Sept. 30

A total of eight cross-road storm water culverts are being replaced in five designated areas of the park. These areas have been established to help coordinate the work, manage traffic, and limit the duration of road closures and detours. Generally, all co...

Public input sought on E-bike pilot program now underway on JCPRD trails

Public input is currently being sought on the use of two classifications of electric bicycles on Johnson County Park and Recreation District trails.

This pilot program began July 15 and is meant to give e-bikes in classes 1 and 3 a six-month trial run on a...

Next Kids' Day Out programs at Johnson County Museum set for Oct. 11 & 25

Youth ages five to 10 are invited to come have fun at the Johnson County Museum during two days in October when school is not in session. 

During these Kids' Day Out programs, participants can choose from a variety of activities each day, includin...

Live Well Age Well event is Oct. 18 at Marriott Overland Park

Spend the day enjoying vendors, screenings, and sessions on topics relevant to aging well in Johnson County when the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s 50 Plus Department presents a special event in late October called Live Well Age W...

Night at the Museum - Scout Edition at Johnson County Museum set for Oct. 18

An evening of after-hours fun for local scouts is being planned at the Johnson County Museum in mid-October.

This special event is called Night at the Museum - Scout Edition, and is for ages six to 12. Scouts will get a hands-on look at history, community,...

Haunted Kansas event returns to Ernie Miller Park on Oct. 19

As darkness falls, walk through the trails of Ernie Miller Park and listen to the stories of long ago during a special event being offered in late October by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Now in its eleventh year, the program is called H...

Join us for tenth annual Cars in the Park event on Oct. 19 in Shawnee Mission Park

About 200 vehicles and 1,000 spectators are expected to attend the tenth annual Cars in the Park car show on Saturday, Oct. 19, in the parking lot near the boat ramp in Shawnee Mission Park.

The event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., is a maj...

Fall Trout Stockings planned at two JCPRD lakes on Oct. 23

Come watch as 3,000 pounds of rainbow trout are stocked in two Johnson County Park and Recreation District lakes in late October.

The fall stockings  will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at each lake’s boat ramp. Stocking of about 1,00...

Next Animal Storytime for ages 5 and under is Oct. 23 at Mill Creek Activity Center

Staff from the Ernie Miller Nature Center will present the second of two free Animal Storytime programs on Oct. 23 at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s Mill Creek Activity Center in Shawnee.

Animal Storytime is for ages five and under with ...

Learn about upcoming travel destinations when JCPRD presents 50 Plus Travel Show on Oct. 24

Join fellow travelers in search of new destinations to explore and trips to take when the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District presents a Travel Show on Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse.

During this free...

First ever Trunk or Treat at the Creek event is Oct. 25 at Mill Creek Activity Center

Enjoy a night of Halloween-themed family fun during a new special event at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s Mill Creek Activity Center in late October. 

This event is called Trunk or Treat at the Creek and is for all age...

Mildale Farm and Lanesfield School both plan free fall events on Oct. 26

There are two reasons for venture out to southeastern Johnson County on Oct. 26 for some fall fun.

The day's activities include the annual Mildale Farm Fall Fest as well as the Lanesfield School Fall Open House at the Lanesfield Historic Site, which is als...

Don’t miss Healthy Halloween Spooktacular event for all ages on Oct. 26

Start your family’s Halloween off with a healthy morning that will keep your kids energized throughout the busy day during a special event being planned by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. 

Healthy Halloween Spooktacular!...

Orienteering workshop for ages 16 and older offered on Oct. 26

Do you enjoy hiking cross-country, but fear losing your way? If so, join the Johnson County Park and Recreation District for a Map and Compass Orientation Workshop beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 North Kans...

Learn about the Wonders of Africa during Oct. 28 Lunch and Learn for 50 Plus

Learn about the culture and majesty of West Africa through the lens of art and artifacts during the next Lunch & Learn program being presented by the 50 Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Lunch & Learn Wonders of Africa ...

Game Night for 50 Plus is Oct. 30 at Cedar Lake Village

Laugh the night away during a special event being presented at Cedar Lake Village in conjunction with the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Game Night is the name of this event. Participants will enjoy a fun-filled even...

Explore Meadowbrook Park trails on Oct. 30 with 50 Plus Social Walk

Hit the trails at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s newest park when the 50 Plus Department presents a social walk in late October.

This program is called Social Walk: Meadowbrook Park, and will take place at this new 80-acre faci...

JCPRD gymnastics offers Halloween Handspring Clinic for girls on Oct. 30

Helping young gymnasts improve or master back and front handsprings is the goal of a gymnastics special event for girls being offered in late October by the Gymnastics Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Called the Halloween Hand...

New Pumpkin Party for ages 3-5 with a parent planned for Oct. 31

Young children with a parent can get into the Halloween spirit during a new special event being planned by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District on Halloween Day.

Pumpkin Party is the name of this event, which is for ages three to five with a par...

JCPRD winter park hours begin Nov. 1

Winter hours of 7:30  a.m. to 8 p.m. go into effect Nov. 1 for many Johnson County Park and  Recreation District parks. These winter hours will stay in effect through Feb. 29.

District parks impacted by the new hours are: Heritage Park, 1...

Next Intergenerational Creative Drama program for all ages set for Nov. 2

Pairing pre-kindergarten performing artists with the youth, older adult, and the veteran community, a program being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District will explore creating drama among diverse populations.

The program is called Inte...

JCPRD gymnastics offers Ultimate Uneven Bar Clinic for girls on Nov. 8

Helping young gymnasts improve or master the uneven bars is the goal of a gymnastics special event for girls being offered in early November by the Gymnastics Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. 

Called the Ultimate Unev...

Second of two Public Hayrides offered on Nov. 3 in Shawnee Mission Park

The second of two public hayrides being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District this fall at the Oak Ridge Parklands in Shawnee Mission Park will take place on Nov. 3.

In addition to fall hayrides for organized groups, each year JCPRD al...

Celebrate Veterans Day with breakfast event on Nov. 8

Commemorate Veterans Day with a Veterans Breakfast being planned by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

During this annual event at the Matt Ross Community Center, participants will enjoy a delicious pancake and sausa...

Honor veterans with new tea dance on Nov. 8

Celebrate those who have served and dance to your favorite patriotic tunes by local group The Playboys during a new tea dance being planned by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Tea Dance - Honoring Our Veterans is t...

JE DUNN Gold Sponsor -- Museum Diversity Internship Program

Thank you to our exclusive GOLD Sponsor for a new initiative to launch next summer – the Diversity Internship Program. The Museum plans to partner with UMKC’s Public History program to mentor and train diverse undergraduate and graduate students in museum...

Lanesfield Escape Room! You Gotta Try It!

Test your skills at the Lanesfield Escape Room!  Perfect for groups of 4-6 people who love to solve a good mystery. A recent escapee shared, "This escape room is a hidden gem! Clues involve arithmetic, literature, history and geography. Each...

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Basketball Leagues

JCPRD offers a wide range of basketball leagues, camps and clinics for both girls and boys...

Adult Leagues

Offering a wide range of adult sports for basketball, slowpitch, soccer and volleyball...

Youth Leagues

Offering a wide range of youth sports for softball, basketball, soccer and volleyball...