Walking Around Overland Park

All content by Paul Nichols ©2006

Antioch Acres • 74th Terrace and Hardy

The Park: One of Overland Park’s prettiest neighborhood parks. By all means walk at least once in this park.

Walking Path: About 3/10 mi. paved walking path. Easy walking along a delightful circular path. Great for a casual stroll or a vigorous Walk.

Amenities: Parking (20), playground, tennis, drinking fountain, cooking, picnic tables, benches, shelter, restrooms, two spacious grassy areas. The neighbor’s colorful yards add depth to the park. A few homes have park-like yards.

Notes: This park is “hidden” in a beautiful neighborhood.

Antioch Park - Antioch Road and 65th Street - Merriam

The Park: Antioch Park is the crown jewel of Johnson County’s neighborhood parks. It is the oldest in Johnson County and among the most popular parks in the KC metro area. It attracts nearly 3/4 million visitors a year. Maintained by Johnson County Parks and Recreation, it’s in the Town of Merriam, a few blocks outside the Overland Park city limits. Nevertheless, it is a "must see; must Walk" park during all seasons of the year. Antioch Park is especially popular when autumn leaves are ablaze. It’s a favorite outdoor setting for formal photos (families, bridal parties; engagements and so forth).

The 44 acre park includes a Viet Nam Memorial honoring Johnson County’s fallen military, the pretty Helen Cuddy Memorial Rose Garden and the popular "Dodge Town Play Town," an 1850s prairie town of kid-sized buildings where kids of all ages stretch their imaginations.

Walking Paths: There are several Walking paths, each one a treat. One features a creative stone path through the lake. This is such a pleasant park, that vigorous Walking isn’t recommended. Casual Walking with friends makes the outing special.

• Outer Loop Trail is one mile long. Get a great look at the whole park. Take your time, enjoy the many views. There are several places to start your Walk—or end it if you don’t feel like Walking the whole circuit.
• Helen Cuddy Rose Garden Path is about 2/10 mile and excellent for a vigorous fast-paced Walk. Meet flower enthusiasts here. Weddings are held here in the Gazebo.
• The Natural Trail is about 2/10 mile as well, but is not paved. Only for the sure-footed Walker. Children younger than first grade should not follow this path, especially unescorted. Elderly or injured Walkers should not Walk here, either. It’s rough; with a couple of steep inclines. After a rain, it can be muddy and slippery. Watch your step; twisted ankles can result. Carry a cell phone or loud whistle—just in case. But it’s a fun and beautiful forested trail. Look for critters and birds and enjoy the several creek crossings. It’s only wide enough for one. 
• The South Lake Walk. This is one of the Johnson County’s favorite Walks. Walk "on the water," stepping from one concrete pedestal to another, then stroll on the boardWalk. Then circle the lake on a nice concrete path. You’ll meet folks of all ages on this Walk. Watch out for goose goo, especially in the fall and winter when the lake is full of water fowl.
• Other sideWalks. Several lengthy sideWalks maze throughout the park. Each one is good for a different glimpse of the park. Most will connect you with a parking lot.

Amenities: Parking, big playgrounds, two small lakes, BB, Bocce, tennis, drinking fountains, horseshoes, cooking, picnic tables, benches, four shelters, restrooms, fishing, limited electricity,

Notes: During the course of the year, Antioch Park hosts special events that attract good-sized crowds. Even so, there is ample room for individual or small group activities. Not recommended as a park for pets on a leash, although they are welcome, because there are too many attractive distractions.

Administrative offices are located in this park.

Cherokee Park • 91st and Lowell

The Park: This little park was built under power transmission lines to help disguise them. That was well done, but this park is not for Walking. This is a nice mini-park alongside busy 91st Street. No parking is available on the street or in the park.

Walking Path: About 2/10 mi. paved walking path, a straight walk from Lowell to Hemlock.

Overland Park, Kansas, is an unusually narrow city. From the north edge of Johnson County it stretches 17 miles southward. It’s only five miles wide. It is surrounded by several smaller towns and is part of the Kansas City, Missouri metroplex.

Overland Park was founded in 1905 by William Strang, Jr., a contemporary of KCMO developer J. C. Nichols. Mr. Strang envisioned a self-sustaining and well planned "park-like" community. He also wanted quality education, vibrant neighborhoods, accommodating recreational facilities, convenient transportation, and strong commerce.

The city was incorporated May 20, 1960 with 28,000 residents.

• 1993—Overland Park earned a spot in the book, 50 Fabulous Places to Raise a Family.
• 1996—the County Economic Research Institute ranked Overland Park number One among 13 AAA rated communities in the nation in a quality of life index.
• 2001—the city was recognized as the #1 Kid-friendly city in the nation.
• 2005—the population was 166,000 and growing.

Overland Park—all of Johnson County—is a beautiful, family-oriented place to live. Neighborhood parks abound because Mr. Strang and Mr. Nichols had the foresight to consider the families that would sustain the communities.

Trivia: You can send mail to Overland Park, Roeland Park, Olathe, Merriam, Mission, Lenexa, Shawnee, Fairway, Prairie Village, Leawood and a few other tiny towns by addressing them to Shawnee Mission, KS. Your mail will be delivered to the proper address even though there is no such town as Shawnee Mission, KS.