Shawnee Mission Park is 1,655 acres and includes a 120-acre lake with swimming beach and marina, 11 shelters, numerous picnic areas, nature trails, play areas, an archery range, a 44-acre dog off-leash area, an 18-hole disc golf course, mountain biking and hiking trails, equestrian trails, and is home to the Theatre in the Park. The newly-refurbished eastern park entrance features John Barkley Plaza, honoring JCPRD's first superintendent. John Barkley Plaza provides a meeting point from which to explore all the wonderful things that Shawnee Mission Park has to offer.

The park land was purchased through the district's initial bond issue in 1956 and officially dedicated on May 30, 1964. It is the second largest park in the county and the most visited park in the entire state of Kansas.

Park Shelters

Shawnee Mission Park has 11 varied sized shelters. The shelters are perfect for parties, family reunions, corporate events, and weddings! To ensure the use of a shelter, reservations are recommended.

For individual shelter details and to reserve online, view the Subfacilities section below.

To check availability or to reserve a shelter online, visit the reservation and rentals page, call (913) 831-3359, Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., or visit our Registration Office in Antioch Park.

Campground Information

JCPRD campground reservations are available for not-for-profit youth organization such as Scouts, American Heritage Girls, Girl Scouts, and religious youth groups. Campers must be under the age of 18 with adult chaperones onsite. JCPRD offers three (3) campsites for you to choose from - Big Bull Creek, Shawnee Mission Park, and TimberRidge Adventure Center. More information can be found on our campgrounds page. If you would like to reserve a campground for your organized youth group, fill out the Campground Reservation Request form located on that page.

Lake

The 120-acre lake is a popular spot for boating, fishing, sailing, paddleboarding, and much more. The lake is stocked with channel catfish, large and small mouth bass, wipers, and crappie. Rainbow trout are released into the lake in February, March, and October. JCPRD fishing and boating permits and state fishing licenses (per state regulations) are required before fishing. See below for requirements.

New to the Shawnee Mission Park Lake is a boat cleaning station. The cleaning station is the first line of defense to protect JCPRD lakes against zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species. The six-feet tall, eight-feet wide waterless cleaning station is solar powered and also features a Wi-Fi hub. The system has a wet/dry vacuum, air blower, grabber, brush, and a tool to pull your boat plug. All runoff from the unit is captured in a bioswale to keep it from entering the lake. The Wi-Fi provides users access to custom videos on cleaning your boat. At this time, cleaning of watercraft before they enter Shawnee Mission Park lake and after they leave is strongly encouraged, but not required.

Permits

For details about permit requirements, state licenses, or to see the latest fishing report, visit the permit information page.

Archery Range

A JCPRD archery permit is required for everyone 13 years of age and older. No permit is required for children 12 years of age and under, however, they must be accompanied by an adult who possesses a valid district archery permit. 

• Broadhead points are prohibited
• Crossbows are not allowed at the archery range

Beach and Marina

For information, hours, and prices, visit the Shawnee Mission Park beach and marina pages.

Dog Off-Leash Area

Located west of the 87th and Ridgeview entrance of Shawnee Mission Park, the 44-acre off-leash area features a paved trail to the lake and beach area, and wood chip and natural surface trails through grassland and wooded areas. The off-leash area also includes paved parking and portable toilets.

Maintenance closures are scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The off-leash area is open year-round during regular park hours except during weekly routine maintenance closures. Maintenance closures are conducted to provide a high level of maintenance to the area without compromising dog, patron, and staff safety. Trespassing is prohibited when the gate is locked.

For the enjoyment of all patrons and pets all JCPRD Dog Off-Leash Area Code of Conduct/Rules (PDF) apply.

JCPRD's other off-leash areas are located in Heritage Park, Thomas S. Stoll Memorial Park and Kill Creek Streamway Park (at the 95th Street access point). 

Disc Golf Course

The Shawnee Mission Park Disc Golf Course is an 18-hole, 54-par wooded and prairie grass course. Varying levels of terrain and obstacles will challenge both beginners and experienced players alike. For regulations and more details about the disc golf course, view our Shawnee Mission Park Disc Golf Course map (PDF).

Visitor Services

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5:30 pm / Saturday & Sunday, 9 am - 5 pm (most holidays)
The restrooms and water fountain in the Visitor Services are open during regular park hours.

 Located inside the JCPRD Administration Building you will be able to obtain:

• Detailed JCPRD parks and facility information
• Park maps
• Trail Guides
• JCPRD park permits (fishing, boating, archery, and metal detecting)
• Purchase Kansas State fishing licenses
• Orienteering course packets
• Model rocket permits
• Remote controlled vehicle permits

Park Police & Safety

In an emergency, dial 911. To reach the Park Police dispatch, call (913) 782-0720.
For additional information and safety tips, visit JCPRD's Park Police page.