Fitness & Wellness

SHAWNEE COUNTY TRAILS

Shawnee County Parks + Recreation’s nearly 60 miles of trails offer a leisurely stroll with side ventures into beautiful gardens, or a hike, run or mountain bike ride up hilly terrain leading to panoramic views of the county. There are 30 miles of paved trails and nearly 28 miles of natural surface trails running through forested, prairie and open natural areas. Shawnee County Parks + Recreation is continually increasing the number and length of trails in our community while connecting as many trails as possible.

Shunga Trail – 8.5-mile paved concrete pedestrian/bicycle trail beginning at SW 29th and McClure) and continuing east to SE 2nd. The trail will eventually stretch across Topeka.

Lake Shawnee Trail – 7-mile paved concrete pedestrian/bicycle trail encircling the lake.

Dornwood Nature Trail – 9.9 miles of natural surface, woodland hiking trail accessible from SE 25th and Highland.

Landon Trail – 4.75-mile paved and gravel trail along an abandoned railroad track running from SE 15th to SE 45th.

Azura Trails at Skyline Park – Four single-track loop trails comprising 4.47 miles of natural surface trails through wooded and prairie areas offering the most panoramic views of Shawnee County from the famed Burnett’s Mound.

Warren Nature Area – 4 miles of natural surface trails beginning at SW 25th and Gage east of Felker Park. The trail includes a wetland to slow and clean runoff water from streets and neighborhoods. Many birds, mammals and aquatic species can be found here.

Welton Grove Park – 3 miles of natural surface trails.

Shawnee North Nature Trail – 2-mile natural surface trail on undeveloped parkland comprised of grasslands and wooded areas. Shawnee North Community Park also has a .8 mile paved fitness loop trail encircling the west side of the park. Gage Park Fitness Loop Trail – 2-mile paved trail encircling Gage Park.

Deer Creek Trail – 2-mile trail from SE Golden to SE 6th and SE 6th to SE 10th. (Presently being extended to SE 25th St.)

Grant-Bradbury – Located west of Forbes Field, 2 miles of natural surface trails run through 80-acres of virgin prairie that has never been plowed. The area includes hundreds of native prairie species, some of which are scarcely found elsewhere in the state.

Soldier Creek Trail – 1.8-mile paved concrete bicycle/pedestrian trail from NE Garfield Park to NW Lyman Road. Orville Rice Nature Trail – 1-mile mowed grass single track trail following Shunga Creek from SW Gage to the Shunga Trail near McDonald Field.

Oakland-Billard/Santa Fe Park Trails –

1.6 miles of paved trail.

Freedom Valley – .75-mile concrete path.

Clarion Woods Trail – 1.54 miles of singletrack trail through a red cedar forest.

Willow Park – .5-mile paved walking paths.

Betty Phillips Park – .44-mile paved trail.

Brookfield Park – .3-mile paved trail.

Adult Volleyball League – Summer Session

Women’s and Co-Rec volleyball leagues play a 6-week season with 12 matches. Registration deadline is June 29 Age: 16+ Date: July 10-Aug. 19 Fee: $150 per team

Adult Sand Volleyball League – Summer Session

Women’s and Co-Rec sand volleyball leagues play a 6-week single header season. Registration deadline is July 13 Age: 16+ Date: July 24-Sept. 2 Fee: $60 per team

Adult Kickball League – Summer Session

Co-Rec kickball league plays an 8-week schedule. Registration deadline is July 13 Age: 16+ Date: July 24-Sept. 11 Fee: $200 per team OR $30 per individual to join free agent pool

Lakeside Sports Camp

Come join us for an outdoor sports-oriented camp located at the Bettis Family Sports Complex at Lake Shawnee. Campers will participate in a structured, fun-filled week of various sports including kickball, soccer, Wiffle ball, swimming, e-sports and more while focusing on sportsmanship and teamwork. Registration begins March 1 Weeks: June 6-10 June 20-24 June 27-July 1 July 11-15 July 25-29 Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Ages: 6-12; Camper must have attended a full year of kindergarten Fee: $80/week

SPECIAL EVENTS

National Parks and Recreation Month – July 2022

Join us in a month-long celebration of Shawnee County Parks + Recreation and everything we have to offer! Each week will showcase a different aspect of Parks and Recreation. Keep an eye out for the Rec+Roll Van, food trucks and concerts along the way. Visit parks.snco.us to find a calendar of all the activities you can participate in throughout July. July 1-3 - Adventure Cove Week July 4-9 - Parks and Trails Week July 10-16 - Program Week July 17-23 - Sports Week July 24-31 - Aquatic Week

Doggie Date Night

Join us for a date night with your dog downtown at the Evergy Plaza and enjoy food, drinks, activities and vendors! Your furry friend could be a winner in one of our dog contests. Take a memory home from our photo booth or paw print station and then grab some ice cream and splash in the fountains to end the night! Please keep your dog leashed at all times.

Evergy Plaza

Age: Family and Dog Friendly Date: June 4 Time: Sat. 5-7 p.m. Fee: Free

Glow Night

Join us for a glowing good time playing in games and activities with your friends at Central Park Community Center! Games will include cosmic corn hole, binGLOW (GLO BINGO), and more! Come dressed in neon or white to ensure you are glowing throughout the night! Fee includes glow sticks and gear for a great time.

Central Park Community Center 251-6965

Age: 8-12 yrs. Date: Sat. July 9th Time: 6-8 p.m. Fee: $15 for all games and activities

National Go Skateboarding Day

Go Skateboarding Day is celebrated annually on June 21. Skateboarding is a recreational activity and an action sport that involves riding a skateboard and performing tricks. This fun celebration endeavors to get people to go skateboarding wherever there is a rideable surface such as a skate park, road, etc. This day and event will be for all ages. There will be different contests available for all ages. Prizes and raffles available will be available. Event will be held at Mousetrap Skate Park at Oakland-Billard Park.

Oakland Community Center 251-6953

Age: 6+ Date: June 21 Time: 6-8 p.m. Fee: $5 Location: Mousetrap Skate Park

ADAPTIVE RECREATION

In an effort to expand programs offered to the adaptive community Shawnee County Parks + Recreation will help day service providers set up a variety of exciting programs that promote an active and healthy lifestyle. Individuals can join planned group activities. Some of the programs available are racquetball, pickleball, volleyball, wallyball and open gym. Other program ideas can be discussed by calling 251-6800.

Adaptive Wally Ball

Enjoy a fun way to stay active and work toward personal fitness goals. This game is along the lines of volleyball but it is played on a racquetball court.

Hillcrest Community Center 251-6956

Age: 18+ Date: Ongoing Time: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fee: $3 per person $10 per group

Dancehouse

Spend an evening with your friends. Participants will get to socialize with friends while listening to music from Solid Rock Sound Machine.

Big Gage Shelter 251-6800

Age: 14+ Date: August 11 Time: Thur. 6-8 p.m. Fee: $5

Mid-Day Dance party

Come spend some time with your friends in a local park, while listening to music from the Rec+Roll van. Age: 14+ Date: May 24–Crestview Shelter June 28–Felker Park July 26–Lake Shawnee Girls softball complex Aug. 23 –Accessible Ball Field Gage Park Time: 1-2:30 p.m. Fee: Free

Adaptive Open Rec

This is a great chance to hang out with friends while enjoying table games in the lobby or working on your skills in the gym. Staff will provide a supportive, inclusive experience for participants. Age: 18+ Date: Ongoing Fee: $2 per person $10 per group

Garfield Community Center 251-6950

Time: Mon. Noon-2 p.m.

Crestview Community Center 251-6960

Time: Tue. 10 a.m.-Noon

Central Park Community Center 251-6965

Date: June 30-July 28 Time: Thur. Noon-2 p.m.

Adaptive Open Gym

See you on the court! This is a DROPIN adaptive open gym night at Hillcrest. Whether you want to come play basketball, kick the soccer ball around, or play volleyball the gym is open for adaptive gym activities. Age: 3+ Date: Tue. May 3 Fee: $2 per person $10 per group

Hillcrest Community Center 251-6956

Time: Tue. 6-8 p.m.

Bocce Ball

Bring your friends and come play this fun Italian-based game outdoors. Participants will get to play a fun game and socialize with friends. The Adaptive Recreation building is located in Gage Park, please call 251-6950 to register. Age: 8+ Date: Aug. 23-Sept. 6 Time: Fri. 10:30 a.m.-Noon Fee: $2