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.

I’ve attached photos that go with: Open Road – Hannibal & Mark Twain, Holiday Tree Lighting event, and Games: The Regal Chess School Win A Chess Trophy Symposium

Here’s a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of Nov. 12-18:

 Nov. 13 - Day Trip: Basketball and Battlefields  (Ages 50 & Older)
Departs from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch, Merriam, 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., $99 per person

Before the Phog, there was Naismith! Learn all about the history of James Naismith, the founder and first coach of basketball at the University of Kansas. Experience a first-person reenactment of the life and legacy of James Naismith, by Bill Nicks. Enjoy stepping off at several locations before heading to lunch as a group. After lunch, we switch topics and hear Mr. Nicks guided step-on tour of Quantrill’s Raid. See famous sights and hear stories about the impact Quantrill had during this time in history. The day ends at the Dole Institute of Politics for a self-guided tour. Activity number 31813.

 Nov. 13 - Art: Ceramic Gingerbread House (Ages 16 & Older)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Mondays, 6 to 8:30 p.m., 2 sessions, $64 per person, $70 nonresidents

Have you ever wished your gingerbread house would last forever? Get creative and learn about clay while making your own ceramic gingerbread during this two-part class. Participants will learn hand-built ceramics and glazing techniques during this class. Our teaching artist will be there to guide you through the process, so no experience needed. Activity number 31044.

 Nov. 13 - Feb. 29 - Animals: Holidays for the Animals (All Ages)

Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, during regular hours (Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sunday 1-4:30 p.m.) We appreciate your contribution!

The holidays are a time of gifts and generosity. Whether you’re an individual, family, or a group looking to make a difference, how about contributing a gift to the animals at the Ernie Miller Nature Center? The nature center has ongoing needs for supplies for both the animals we keep at the center and the wild animals that come to our feeders. Please look over our online list of needs and consider making a contribution. Our animals and staff thank you in advance! For more information, call 913-826-2800.

 Nov. 14 - Cards: Bridge Workshops - Entries 101 (Ages 50 & 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. Fun and easy classes help you master a new subject each week.  Have you ever been frustrated because the good tricks are on the opposite side of the table? These five tips with simplify transportation from declarer's hand to dummy. Purchase each workshop individually or take them all! Handouts included. Activity number 31931. See other upcoming Bridge Workshops.

 Nov. 14 - Early Learning: “S” is for Snake (Age 1-4 with Adult)

Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., $8 per person, $9 nonresidents

See live snakes from Ernie Miller Nature Center. Uncover the mysteries of these legless wonders and learn how they help people. Activity number 32105.

 Nov. 14, 15, 16 (three separate programs) - Astronomy: Starlight Hayrides (All Ages)

Oak Ridge Parklands in Shawnee Mission Park, 7460 Ogg Road, Shawnee, 6 to 8 p.m., $13 per person, $14 nonresidents

Join us for a fall hayride and learn about the stars and their ancient stories. This two-hour program includes a hay wagon ride to your viewing location and back for a campfire with cider and marshmallows. We will be learning about the constellations of the evening and the stories that go with them. Dress for the weather. Advanced registration required. Program will proceed even with overcast skies. Every person attending must register and pay, including adults. Program fee is nonrefundable unless program is cancelled for severe weather. Tuesday, Nov. 14 session, activity number 31805. Wednesday, Nov. 15 session, activity number 31806. Thursday Nov. 16 session, activity number 31807.

 Nov. 15 - Special Interest: Open Road – Hannibal & Mark Twain (Ages 50 & Older)

Virtual Program, 10 to 11 a.m., FREE

Our Open Road Series offers explores places just outside of our Day Trip travel radius, so we bring the destinations to you! Enjoy a discussion by the staff of the Hannibal, Mo. Convention and Visitors Bureau and Mark Twain Museum, as they discuss popular attractions, historical events, and all things Mark Twain. Registration required. Activity number 31833.

 Nov. 15 - Holiday Tree Lighting event (All Ages)

John Barkley Plaza in Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee and Lenexa, 6 p.m., FREE

Join us for live music and light refreshments as we continue our new tradition of flipping the switch on our holiday flagpole light display.

 Nov. 17 - Special Interest: Who Wrote Shakespeare’s Plays (Ages 50 & Older)

Virtual Program, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., FREE

The plays of William Shakespeare are the most famous in the English language, but for over 500 years a debate has raged as whether the person we know as William Shakespeare wrote the plays. Why is this a controversy? And if William Shakespeare didn't write the plays, then who did? Our speaker, Don Dagenais, will explore these questions in this virtual presentation. Activity number 31834.

 Nov. 17 - Preschool: Turkey Wobble (Ages 2-5 with Adult)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., $8 per person, $9 nonresidents

As we gather together to give thanks this year, we invite you to share in the holiday cheer. We will eat, drink, be crafty, and dance the hour away. Activity number 32019.

 Nov. 17 - Family Fun: Movie Trivia Night & Dinner (All Ages)

Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., $12 per person, $13 nonresidents, 20% discount after 3rd family member

Can you name all of Snow White’s seven dwarfs or name the dog in Secret Life of Pets? Join us for a family movie trivia night to test your knowledge against other families, sing-along to movie theme songs, and laugh the night away! Dinner served at 5:30 p.m., trivia to follow. Activity number 32084. Cost of admission covers food and staff time to administer the trivia program. No additional charge for trivia.

 Nov. 17, 18 - Escape Room: Group Booking - Rescue the Animals (Ages 5 & Older - children under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult.)

Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, times vary (see below), 1.5 hr. event - $120, $132 nonresidents per room. One room includes up to 12 people. Extra person fee: $10, $11 nonresident. Maximum 15 people per room)

Group bookings only. Owen the Outlaw has captured our kestrel and rabbit! Can you help save them? Your team must beat the clock by solving puzzles and using clues to unlock both rooms to help the animals make a great escape!. Girl Scouts can fulfill a requirement for the Senses or Detective badge (badges must be provided by troops). All ages, including adults, count in participant headcount. Available session on Nov. 17:  Room A, 6:30 to 8 p.m., activity number 31836. Available sessions on Nov. 18: Room A, 10 to 11:30 a.m., activity number 31838; Room B, 10 to 11:30 a.m., activity number 31839; Room A, 1 to 2:30 p.m., activity number 31840;  Room B, 1 to 2:30 p.m., activity number 31841;. Room A, 3 to 4:30 p.m., activity number 31842; and Room B, 3 to 4:30 p.m., activity number 31843. For help with booking call 913-826-2800.

 Nov. 17 - Dance: Drop in and Dance! Swing Night (Ages 14 & Older)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 7 to 9 p.m., $15 per person, $16.50 nonresidents

Each class in this Drop in and Dance series running through mid-December will focus on a different genre, including swing, tap, belly dancing, and musical theatre.  Step into the world of swing dancing where you'll immerse yourself in the joyful energy of this iconic dance style. Get ready to groove to swing music, master classic steps, and connect with fellow dancers in a dynamic, spontaneous atmosphere – no prior experience required! Activity number 32161. See all classes in this series. 

 Nov. 18 - Games: The Regal Chess School Win A Chess Trophy Symposium (Ages 5-16)

Mill Creek Activity Center, 6518 Vista Dr., Shawnee, 10 a.m. to noon, $35 per person, $39 nonresidents

Participants will enjoy beginner and advanced chess lessons. Class will be divided by skill level and two separate lessons will be given. During fun play time, students will play warm-up fun games against equally-skilled opponents. Participants will also learn tournament rules and how to use a chess clock. During the Nationally Rated Trophy Tournament portion of the class, quads of four players grouped by grade and skill will play in an official Chess Express-Rated Tournament. Each student will have an official CXR rating after the class has concluded. Each participant will receive a free chess set and a Chess Tactics Workbook. First place in each quad will receive a chess trophy, while second- through fourth-place will receive medals. Activity number 32229.