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: Animal Tales, Gardening: Pollinator Plants for Shade, Caring Hands Knitters, and Spring Fling Bingo

Here’s a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of April 30 – May 6:

April 25 - Kansas City Symphony Concert in the Park (All Ages)

Kill Creek Park, Shelter #2, 11670 Homestead Lane, Olathe, 6 p.m., FREE

Just announced! Musicians from the Kansas City Symphony will be performing neighborhood concerts in JCPRD parks, most with the symphony’s Mobile Music Box stage.  All events are weather permitting. 

April 27 - Kansas City Symphony Concert in the Park (All Ages)

Meadowbrook Park Great Lawn, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village,  6 p.m., FREE

Just announced! Musicians from the Kansas City Symphony will be performing neighborhood concerts in JCPRD parks, most with the symphony’s Mobile Music Box stage.  All events are weather permitting. 

April 29 - Kansas City Symphony Concert in the Park (All Ages)

Meadowbrook Park Great Lawn, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village,  10 a.m., FREE

Just announced! Musicians from the Kansas City Symphony will be performing neighborhood concerts in JCPRD parks, most with the symphony’s Mobile Music Box stage.  All events are weather permitting. 

May 1 - Art: Pastel Painting Series (Ages 50 & Older)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Mondays, 1 to 3 p.m., 3 sessions, $66 per person, $73 nonresidents

Beginning artists will learn tips and techniques to work with pastels during this series. Students will explore pastel painting with technical studies throughout the class. No experience needed. All supplies included. Activity number 25553.

May 2 - Gardening: Pollinator Plants for Shade (Ages 50 & Older)

Virtual Program, 2 to 3 p.m., FREE 

Have you thought about creating a pollinator garden but thought you had too much shade? All those inspiring photos of pollinator-friendly gardens show masses of blooms in bright sunshine. Don’t let that discourage you. You can have an equally beautiful, pollinator-friendly garden in the shade. Learn about the wonderful plants native to our region that will keep pollinators in your garden from early spring until Halloween. Activity number 26876.

May 2 & ongoing - Crafts: Caring Hands Knitting Group (Ages 50 & Older)

Roeland Park City Hall, 4600 W 51^st St., Roeland Park, Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m., FREE

1^st of a new season! Join this generous group of individuals who knit and crochet hats for charity. Free lessons given to beginners. The Roeland Park Community Center accepts yarn, knitting needles, and hat donations year-round from those unable to attend meetings. Activity number 26589. Call 913-826-3160 to learn how you can contribute.

May 2 - Art: Watercolor - Intermediate Level (Ages 16 & Older)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Tuesdays, 6 to 8:30 p.m., 3 sessions, $66 per person, $73 nonresidents

Learn nuances and more advanced techniques in this intermediate watercolor painting class. This class is intended for those who have taken basic watercolor class or have prior experience in watercolor and are looking to learn a bit more. All supplies included. Activity number 25611.

May 3 - Games: Spring Fling Bingo (Ages 50 & Older)

New Century Fieldhouse, 551 New Century Parkway, near Gardner, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., $6 per person, $7 nonresidents 

BINGO! Delight in food, prizes, fun and 12 games of bingo. A variety of prizes will be awarded including gift certificates. Please pre-register at least one week in advance. Payment is required at time of registration. For the enjoyment of all participants, children are not permitted to attend 50 Plus Bingos. Cost of admission covers snacks and staff time to administer the bingo program. No additional charge for bingo. Activity number 26574.

May 3 - Alzheimer's - Effective Communication Strategies  (Ages 50 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, 2 to 3 p.m., FREE

Learn how to recognize common signs of Alzheimer's and dementia; how to approach someone about memory concerns; importance of early detection and benefits of diagnosis. Presentations by the Alzheimer's Association. Activity number 26870.

May 3 & 17 - Preschool Storytime: Animal Tales (Ages 2-6 with an Adult)

Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, select Wednesdays, 10:30 to 11 a.m., $3 per person

Join a park naturalist for animal stories and surprises geared for preschool age children. Come listen, learn, and meet a special animal friend every time. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Program held indoors. May 3 session, Fairytale Forest, activity number 26474; May 17  session - Prairie Pollination, activity number 26475.

May 4 - Special Interest: Living with Garden Wildlife (Ages 50 & Older)

Virtual Program, 10 to 11 a.m., FREE 

Join naturalists from Burr Oak Woods for a discussion on learning to coexist and manage conflict, with the wildlife in your garden. Activity number 26707.

May 5 - Lunch and Learn: Hawaii Through an Islander’s Eyes (Ages 50 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Noon to 1:30 p.m., $29 nonresidents, $32 nonresidents 

Celebrate May Day or Lei Day in Hawaii with Hawaiian native Dorinda Makanaonalani, a Pearl Harbor bombing survivor and author who will share her experience during WWII with us. Learn about the history and discovery of the Hawaiian Islands by Captain Cook, as well as some Hawaiian culture and customs. Experience the beauty of Hula, as Makanaonalani shares her expertise of this cultural dance with the group. Space is limited; sign up early. A delicious lunch will be catered. Come breathe in the islands with 50 Plus! Activity number 26715.

May 6 - Hands-On Soldering: Building a DaVinci Probe (Ages 8 & Older; Ages 8-17 accompanied by Adult)

Johnson County Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87^th St., Overland Park, six separate 20-minute sessions offered between 10 a.m. and Noon, FREE

Join us for an out-of-this-world adventure at our learn-to-solder workshop! Flex your engineering muscles and solder your own blinky DaVinci Venus Probe while getting inspired by NASA’s mission to uncover the mysteries of our neighboring planet. Only participants ages 8 and older are permitted to attend the workshop as participants will be using a soldering iron. This workshop is a partnership between the Johnson County Library's Black & Veatch MakerSpace and JCPRD's Fine Arts Department and is part of a Kansas City-wide STEM Education event; Remake Learning Days. To select a session and to register, click here. Only participants need to register; adults accompanying minors (ages 17 & younger) do not need to register. Spots are limited, registration is required to secure your spot.