SCENIC HIKES

from KC Parent magazine July 2023

CREATE YOUR TRADITIONS!

Kill Creek Park, Olathe

Twelve miles of trails wind through this 900-acre park in western Johnson County. You’ll find both accessible paved and dirt trails. A stand of native prairie grasses, a lake and a prairie observation tower are highlights.

Antioch Park, Merriam

This could be called the “OG” Johnson County park. Trails circle lakes and fountains, merging with boardwalks and stone-step bridges. There’s a large playground area next to Dodge Town, a kid-sized Main Street patterned after the Old West.

Shoal Creek Trail, Kansas City, Missouri

There are several trails with Shoal Creek in the name. This paved 2-mile trail is associated with the Shoal Creek Living History Museum at Hodge Park, exploring a wooded corridor in Hodge Park, following a clear and rippling stream. At the southern trailhead is the 80-acre outdoor history museum and bison reserve.

Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center and Kauffman Legacy Park, Kansas City, Missouri

In the heart of the city lies the Gorman conservation center, just east of the Country Club Plaza. This 10-acre area has a visitors center and a beautifully manicured display of native habitats including nature-oriented play areas for children. The center is adjacent to Kauffman Legacy Park, which features a trail looping Legacy Lake and leads to Kauffman Memorial Garden.

Jerry Smith Park, Kansas City, Missouri

This refuge is home to the largest remaining tract of native prairie on the Missouri side of the Kansas City area. Walk the winding trail through the 360-acre park and enjoy colorful wildflowers and prairie plants of all sorts. The park also features forested groves and a 3-acre lake at its north end.

Roy Harryman is a nature-enthusiast and the publisher of Kansas City Hiker.

EE ORKSHOP W W

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