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.

Park board approves 2020 capital projects and 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Plan

The Johnson County Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners approved 2020 capital projects and a proposed five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) for the Johnson County Park and Recreation District during its regular monthly meeting conducted Nov. 20 i...

Animal Tales Storytelling sessions continue on Dec. 4 and 18

Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus are the themes of December Animal Tales Storytelling sessions being presented by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s Outdoor Education Department at the Ernie Miller Nature Center.

December Animal Ta...

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...

New Dreaming of a Retro Xmas temporary exhibit begins Nov. 12 at Johnson County Museum

Travel back to a Space Age Christmas and learn all about aluminum trees and other vintage decorations during a new temporary exhibits beginning in mid-November at the Johnson County Museum.

Dreaming of a Retro Xmas is the name of this exhibit, which celebr...

Savages and Princesses - The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes exhibit begins Nov. 20

Giving viewers an opportunity to see artwork by nationally-recognized indigenous artists and starting some conversations around the topic of Native American stereotyping are goals for a second temporary exhibit opening at the Johnson County Museum during ...

JCPRD gymnastics program offers Candy Cane Hunt on Dec. 13 & 18

A holiday-themed gymnastics program for young children involving hundreds of candy canes hidden throughout the Mill Creek Activity Center is being offered in early December by the gymnastics department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Ca...

Johnson County Museum to present free Lanesfield School Country Christmas event

Drop in for an old-fashioned Christmas during a special event being presented nine times this holiday season by the Johnson County Museum at the Lanesfield Historic Site.

The program is called Lanesfield School Country Christmas and is for all ages. Experi...

New Family Fun Graham Cracker House Workshop set for Dec. 20 at the Roeland Park Community Center

A new holiday-related special event being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District lets participants drop in anytime during a five-hour window on the Saturday before Christmas to create their own graham cracker house.

This Family Fun Grah...

Donations of animal supplies sought through Holidays for the Animals program at Ernie Miller Nature

The holidays are a time of gifts and generosity. Individuals, families, and groups wanting to make a difference are invited to consider contributing a gift to the animals at the Ernie Miller Nature Center through a program called Holidays for the Animals....

Intro to Acting winter break camp class offered for youth ages 8-12

Monologues, dialogue between characters, and evoking emotion as actors are just a few things young would-be thespians will learn during an Intro to Acting winter break camp being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District during Christmas ...

Audition Lab winter break camp program offered for youth ages 12-18

Prepare for upcoming theater auditions during an Audition Lab winter break camp being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District on the three days following Christmas.

This program is for ages 12 to 18. With the help of a professional teach...

Christmas tree recycling begins Dec. 26 in four Johnson County Park and Recreation District parks

Post-holiday contributions of discarded natural Christmas trees will be accepted at four Johnson County Park and Recreation District park locations from Dec. 26 through Jan. 31. 

The tree collection sites are: the Sunflower access point of Big Bul...

Sunday Family Series begins Jan. 5 at Ernie Miller Nature Center

Bring the family to the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s Ernie Miller Nature Center in January for Sunday Family Nature Programs. Presentations begin at 2 p.m., last about 45 minutes, and are designed for all ages. A charge of $3 pe...

JCPRD presents Homeschool Art programs for ages 6 to 17 beginning Jan. 9, 17 & 31

Youth can join their friends on an adventure into art during four different homeschool programs being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District beginning in mid- to late January. 

Homeschool Art is the name of these programs, whic...

Kids’ Countdown planned on Dec. 31 at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse

Kids can enjoy all the festivities of New Year’s Eve at noon during a new special event being presented on the last day of 2019 by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

This program is called Kids' Countdown, and is for ages six to 12....

Noon Year’s Eve event is Dec. 31 at Roeland Park Community Center

Celebrate the New Year at noon during a returning special event being offered by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

The event is called Noon Year’s Eve and is meant to show that you don’t have to ...

New season of Little Critters Day Out program begins Jan. 2 at Ernie Miller Nature Center

Your little critter will enjoy two hours of fun and education on the first Thursday of each month as you enjoy some personal time during a program being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s Outdoor Education Department.

Li...

Kids’ Day Out session scheduled for Jan. 2 & 3 at Mill Creek Activity Center

Kids' need a break too! Children ages five to 12 are invited to enjoy fun activities during a Kids' Day Out program planned for the Thursday and Friday after New Year’s Day at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District's Mill Creek Activity Center in...

JCPRD gymnastics program offers Winter Camp for girls on Jan. 2 & 3

A fun-filled camp for female gymnasts of all skill levels is being offered during winter break by the gymnastics department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Called simply Winter Camp, this program is for girls ages six to 12. Each day wi...

Join the Side By Side Experience 50 Plus vocal performing group beginning Jan. 3

The Side By Side Experience, a 50 Plus vocal music and dance group presented by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District, will be beginning a new 12-session program in early January, and all interested parties are invited ...

Enjoy New Year's week performance by Rockin' Rob at Johnson County Museum on Jan. 3

Fun, music, and movement are in store when the Johnson County Museum presents a Kid-Friendly Musical Performance in early January.

The Rockin’ Rob show is a completely interactive and educational musical kids’ show that promotes fun and...

Creative Storytime drop-in program offered on four Saturdays beginning Jan. 4

Inspired by both classic and contemporary children’s literature, a drop-in storytime program is being offered by the Fine and Performing Arts Department of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District on four Saturdays through April. ...

Bitty Ball basketball programs for two age groups begin early January

Bitty Ball Basketball programs for two different age groups of girls and boys are being offered beginning in early January by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District. 

Separate Bitty Ball programs for ages four to five and six to seven are...

Chess program for homeschoolers ages 6-12 begins Jan. 7

Homeschool students ages six to 12 can learn to play chess in a kid-centered classroom environment during a program being offered by the Johnson County Park and Recreation District beginning in early January.

This program is called The Knight School Chess ...

“The Ookpik Book” is subject of next museum Retro Storytime program at the Johnson County Museum

Parents and their preschoolers will love stories and illustrations from long ago, read by a special guest from the 1950s All-Electric House during a series of programs being offered monthly from January through April at the Johnson County Museum.

This prog...

Free Coffee with the Birds program offered on Tuesday mornings at Ernie Miller Nature Center

Come enjoy winter bird watching from the comfort of an indoor wildlife viewing room during an informal program being offered for ages 18 and older at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District's Ernie Miller Nature Center.

With the lack of foliage and...

New season of Animal Tales Storytime sessions begins Jan. 8 at Ernie Miller Nature Center

A new season of Animal Tales Storytime will begin Jan. 8  at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe.

This popular program invites young children and their parents to come listen and learn d...

Ernie Miller Nature Center offers live animal programs for groups

Five nature programs featuring live animals are being offered for groups by the Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 North Kansas-7 Highway, Olathe, or at your location in Kansas. The programs are called Wildlife Who's Who, Wildlife Webs, Snakes Alive, Birds o...

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...

Stay Connected!

Learn about new programs, exhibitions and interesting, local history stories in the museum's e-newlsetter. Sign Up today and also join us on Facebook, Instragram and Twitter. 

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...