Outdoor Adventure Awaits at Shawnee Mission Park

The most visited park in Kansas, Shawnee Mission Park offers a variety of recreation choices for all ages.

story by Jill Dutton

photos by Kevin Anderson

Outdoor enthusiasts find plenty of outlets for recreation and to connect to nature, whether on the water or on land, at Shawnee Mission Park. With about 2 million visitors each year, the park is the second-largest in Johnson County and the most frequented park in both the State of Kansas and Johnson County.

Shawnee Mission Park offers a variety of activities for everyone. Paul Taylor of Overland Park likes to fly fish in the cool water of Shawnee Mission Lake.

With 1,655 acres of land, there are recreational activities for every age. Take a walk along one of the paved trails, explore the woods on a hiking trail, rent a kayak at the marina and spend a leisurely afternoon on the water, or speed along one of the mountain bike trails. Disc golf enthusiasts gather for tournaments, archers practice at the archery range, and visitors listen to the radio-operated planes up above. Families gather for laughter and a picnic in one of 11 shelters or numerous picnic areas, and Theatre in the Park is a fun way to enjoy live theater outdoors.

The main attraction at Shawnee Mission Park may be the 120-acre lake where families relax at the swimming beach; anglers find a perfect fishing spot for crappie, bass, rainbow trout, and catfish; paddle board devotees practice yoga on the water; and kayakers put into the waters at the dock. Weekends find the waters filled with boaters, whether they rented a vessel at the marina or brought their own permitted sailboat or small vessel.

Still, there are plenty of land-based activities. With miles of hiking, equestrian, and biking trails, including the Gary L. Haller Trail that circles the lake and provides stunning views of the water and the surrounding woods, it’s easy to find a trail to test your endurance.

A popular area is the 44-acre off-leash dog park with its own beach where dogs can be found cooling themselves and frolicking in the lake during the summer.

So much to see and do, yet nearly 60 years later, the park continues to grow.

Rob Prentiss of Shawnee tosses a rock for Daisy, a 7-year-old English golden. Prentiss says he brings his dog daily to the park.

On the Horizon

With so many visitors, the park—under the auspices of the Johnson County Park & Recreation District— continues to update facilities and add new amenities.

JCPRD staff are currently updating the waterfront facilities at the marina, which are due to open before Memorial Day. Included in the renovations are improvements to water accessibility with an accessible dock being built adjacent to the existing dock to provide access for all.

Another addition is improvements to Shelter 10. A somewhat historic structure built in 1960, the shelter is experiencing a complete remodel—a new roof, fire ring, and enhanced drainage are among the updates—and should be open by mid-May.

For those interested in paved trails, the park is complementing existing paved trails with a south loop of paved trails. The existing four-mile loop road takes visitors around the park where they currently enter off 79th Street and go around the dam, or go south and exit into a subdivision. Plans are to make a loop around the entire south side. Those who prefer not to walk or bike on the road can use this trail instead. It’s projected as a $2 million project scheduled to start later this spring.

A portrait in concentration, Nicole Meis of Olathe pulls back the bow string before releasing an arrow on the archery range.

Later this year, disc golfers will enjoy a new ninehole course that will integrate an art component.

Current courses include Ridge Nine, Prairie Nine, and Grove Nine. The Art Nine will provide public art at each of the nine holes.

Art is an important piece of the rest of the park as well. Near the marina is Shelter 4. It’s an A-frame shelter with three pieces of art nearby. These cylinder art pieces with built-in seats have hosted many a park visitor as they sit and enjoy the view of the lake. Weathered by time, the Arlie Regier artwork was donated and installed in the 1970s and is being updated and refinished—it was removed from the park and is being blasted, cleaned, and repainted the original vibrant orange color.

At Theatre in the Park, a new temporary art installation is coming this summer.

Finally, always ongoing are improvements to the singletrack mountain bike trail.

Bill Maasen, superintendent of Parks and Golf Courses, says of the park, “Who would have thought in the 1950s, when the park received voter approval, that there would be so many visitors to the park each year? It just shows that it was—and still is—the crown jewel of the area.”

Shawnee Mission Park continues as a favorite destination for active residents and visitors. With so much to choose from, and even more on the horizon, it’s the ideal spot for a day outdoors.

A moment of quiet reflection at sunset along the shore of Shawnee Mission Lake.

Favorite Ways to Spend a Day at Shawnee Mission Park

I’m all about the Shawnee Mission dog park, but we also love Theatre in the Park!

—Gail Bronfman Bunch

Mountain biking on the extensive northside trails is a popular activity. ... plus there’s a specific skills area and pump track.

—Mark Thomas

The remote-control airplanes are fun to watch.

—Pat Nordstrom

I’ve gone on spring walks to view ephemerals and (for) mushroom hunting at various times.

—Rebecca Neudeck

My family used to love fishing there at night for catfish. As kids, we loved renting paddleboats and canoes.

—Claire McDaniel

Fly a kite.

—Lisa Coke

The dog park is my happy place. I like taking a long walk at the dog park. Disappearing into the woods away from the crowds. Finding a spot to (sit and) breathe for a bit. Playing hide and seek with Leia. Pretending we are way out in the middle of nowhere. Feeling the breath of life pulsing up through my feet, listening to the wisdom of the land. We had a nice long walk today.

—Beth Sarver

Picnic near the entrance of Theatre in the Park. When the trees are blooming, it’s an alley filled with white trees, and it’s magical.

—Ivette Roberson