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. For all in-person programs, physical distancing and COVID-19 safe practices will be encouraged.

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: 50 Plus Easter Egg Hunt and Trucks and Big Rigs for Kids

We’re planning a variety of Spring Break Camps and programs serving a variety of interests. See all of the offerings.

Here's a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of March 26 – April 1:

March 27 - Buddy Pegs: Learn to Pedal (Ages 3-5)

Meadowbrook Park Grand Pavilion, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 5 to 6 p.m., 4 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 24793.

March 27, 28, 29 & 30 - Biking: Buddy Pegs Bike Club (Ages 5-10)

Thomas S. Stoll Memorial Park Shelter #1, 12500 W. 119^th St., Overland Park; Shawnee Mission Park Shelter #2, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee and Lenexa; Heritage Park Shelter #2, 16000 Pflumm Road, Olathe; Antioch Park Shelter #3, 6501 Antioch, Merriam; days vary (see below), 4 to 5:30 p.m., 4 sessions, $149 per person, $164 nonresidents 

NEW!  School is out for the day but the learning continues – let’s ride! Buddy Pegs Bike Club is a chance for your elementary age children to further develop their bike skills & life skills in a fun, safe, team environment. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders will enjoy the camaraderie of a team sport without the pressure to compete, develop their love for bike riding with the right skills (including mountain biking where available), and develop critical life skills like resilience, self-confidence, empathy, connection to their community, and respect for the environment. This four-week Bike Club session is full of on-the-bike and off-the-bike games and bicycle rides appropriate to each child’s ability level. Certified Buddy Pegs coaches focus on teaching a broad range of bicycle skills, bicycle safety, and fitness for every ability level while helping kids develop the values of stewardship, teamwork, ownership, kindness, and empathy (S.T.O.K.E.). Buddy Pegs ride leaders will work hard to ensure that all kids individually progress in their skills and double their excitement for biking throughout each class. Monday class beginning March 27 at Stoll Park Shelter #1, activity number 26153. Tuesday class beginning March 28 at SMP Shelter #2, activity number 26163. Wednesday class beginning March 29 at HP Shelter #2, activity number 26164. Thursday class beginning March 30 at AP Shelter #3, activity number 26166.

March 28 - Adventure Walk: Ironwoods Park (Ages 50 & Older)

Departs from Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch, Merriam, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., $25 per person, $27 nonresidents

An on-site naturalist will teach us about our surroundings as we explore this beautiful park. Our hike will be followed by a visit to the Prairie Oak Nature Center and lunch at a park shelter. Please pack your own lunch. Activity number 24851. Click here for all of this season’s adventure walks.

March 28 - Reading: Wanderlust Book Club - “Love with a Chance of Drowning” (Ages 50 & 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 “Love with a Chance of Drowning” by Torre DeRoche. A city girl with a morbid fear of deep water, Torre DeRoche is not someone you would ordinarily find adrift in the middle of the stormy Pacific aboard a leaky sailboat – total crew of two – struggling to keep an old boat, a new relationship, and her floundering sanity afloat. But when she meets Ivan, a handsome Argentinean man with a humble sailboat and a dream to set off exploring the world, Torre has to face a hard decision: watch the man she's in love with sail away forever, or head off on the watery journey with him. Suddenly the choice seems simple. She gives up her sophisticated city life, faces her fear of water (and tendency towards seasickness) and joins her lover on a year-long voyage across the Pacific. Set against a backdrop of the world's most beautiful and remote destinations, “Love with a Chance of Drowning” is a sometimes hilarious, often moving, and always breathtakingly brave memoir that proves there are some risks worth taking.  Activity number 24814. Click here for all the Wanderlust Book Club sessions this season.

March 28 - Cards: Beginning Bridge (Ages 50 & Older)

Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, 4 to 6 p.m., 8 sessions, $88 per person, $97 nonresidents

Get in on the biggest game in town! Learn the basics of bidding, scoring, and the play of the hand. Price includes Audrey Grant’s “Bidding in the 21^st Century.” Activity number 24424.

March 30 - Intermediate Acting (Ages 10-16)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Thursdays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., 6 sessions, $115 per person, $125 nonresidents

This course series is a great next step following Intro to Acting. Learn how to nail a monologue, dive into scene study work, all while learning about various styles of theatre and acting. This course series will culminate in a sharing for family and friends. Activity number 24123.

March 30 through April 2 - JCPRD Lifeguard Training - March (Ages 15 & Older)

Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center, 17251 W. 87^th Street, Lenexa, 4 to 6 p.m. session via Zoom on March 30, on-site from 4 to 8 p.m. on March 31, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily on April 1 & 2, FREE to potential JCPRD employees

This blended learning American Red Cross Lifeguarding class is intended for potential JCPRD employees only. If you do not wish to lifeguard for JCPRD, then this is not the class for you. Please also fill the form out at JCPRD.com/FormCenter/Aquatics-16/Aquatics-Job-Interest-Form-523.

March 30 - Holiday Event: 50 Plus Easter Egg Hunt (Ages 50 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 1 to 2 p.m., $11 per person, $12 nonresidents

Who says kids get to have all the fun? This egg hunt is for 50 Plus ONLY! Search high and low for these hidden eggs outside the community center. A special furry friend might even hop by for a photo op! Coffee and refreshments inside after the egg hunt. Activity number 24518.

March 31, April 1 - Go Green: Rain Barrel Workshop (Ages 18 & Older)

Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., $60 per person, $66 nonresidents)

During this class, participants will construct their own rain barrel and learn how to hook it up when they get home. For more information call 913-826-2800. March 31 session, activity number 24187. April 1 session, activity number 24188. Registration deadline is March 27 for either session.

April 1 - Art: Ceramics (Ages 8-15)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to Noon, 4 sessions, $97 per person, $106 nonresidents

Come get creative and explore clay. Students will get the opportunity to hand-build with clay, use the potter's wheel, and learn glazing techniques during this four-part series. Activity number 24089.

April 1 - Art: Painting (Ages 8 -15)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m., 4 sessions, $97 per person, $106 nonresidents

Learn tips and techniques to paint with acrylic paints. Students will explore acrylic painting with mini technical studies and one larger painting in this class. No experience needed. Activity number 24090.

April 1 - Biking: Buddy Pegs Weekend Mountain Bike School (Ages 5-10)

Shawnee Mission Park Shelter #2, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee & Lenexa, Saturdays, 2 to 4 p.m., 4 sessions, $175 per person, $193 nonresidents

NEW! Mountain Bike School is a chance for beginner, intermediate, and advanced mountain bike kids to further develop their mountain bike skills, safety, social emotional learning, and fitness. Kids will enjoy the camaraderie of a team sport without the pressure to compete, develop their love for mountain biking, and develop critical life skills like resilience, self confidence, empathy, connection to their community, and respect for the environment. Bike coaching includes: brake modulation using front and back brakes, steering in control, looking ahead, bike body separation, ready position, riding in a group, front wheel lifts, climbing and descending safely, and yielding to other trail users. Off-the-bike activities include bike cleaning and maintenance, bike safety checks, and bike themed games and crafts. Operated by certified Buddy Pegs bike coaches who are known for their patient, compassionate, and fun teaching style. Children grouped by ability level. Note: multi speed bikes with hand brakes and knobby tires required - bike rentals available. Activity number 26200.

April 1 - Special Event: Trucks and Big Rigs for Kids (All Ages)

Theatre in the Park in Shawnee Mission Park with separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., FREE admission, but donation of $10 per vehicle accepted

Have you ever wondered what the inside of that big rig or tractor looks like? Do you have a child who loves trucks? Bring them to explore trucks, tractors, construction, and city vehicles up close. Crawl, climb, and sit in the driver's seat and talk with the real-life operators of these vehicles. Proceeds from this event benefit JCPRD Special Populations/Special Olympics.

April 1 - Mildale Farm Spring Community Day (All Ages)

Mildale Farm, 35250 W. 199^th Street, Edgerton, 9 a.m. to Noon, FREE

Spend the day exploring the property. Catch-and-release fishing in any or all of seven ponds within the 90-acre area will also be offered, so bring your own bait and tackle. While JCPRD fishing permits have been waived for this event, anglers 16 and older will still need to have a valid Kansas fishing license.  Remember, no alcohol is allowed, pets must be on-leash, and vehicles must remain on roadways.