7 minute read
Fresh Air and Sunshine
Residents can explore and enjoy a number of parks thanks to the Parks and Recreation staff.
ARTICLE BY Jackie Hostetler
PHOTOS BY Kevin Anderson
Vincent van Gogh once wrote to his brother, “If one truly loves nature one finds beauty everywhere.”
Fortunately for the residents of De Soto, there is plenty of beauty to behold in the form walking trails, wooded areas, campgrounds, and more. Behind these impressive naturescapes? The De Soto Parks and Recreation Department and the Johnson County Parks District.
De Soto Parks and Recreation Director Jay Garvin describes the unique relationship between De Soto and Johnson County.
De Soto Parks and Recreation Director Jay Garvin.
“Johnson County is different from any other county in the state, in terms of how individual cities have their own parks and recreation departments. Then you also have the Johnson County Park District. No other county that I’m aware of in the state has that,” Garvin says.
According to Garvin, who has been the Parks and Recreation director since 2001, De Soto Parks and Recreation Department and Johnson County Parks District each operate as separate entities, with separate funding and separate staffs.
Though there is some overlap in park properties, most of the facilities within De Soto are maintained by De Soto Parks and Rec, including a number of the parks, the aquatic center, and the community center. The Johnson County Park District has some responsibility in maintaining three additional parks. No matter who maintains which facility, all amenities are available to all De Soto residents, leading to a higher quality of life. And “quality of life is what it’s all about,” Garvin says.
“Parks and recreation is one of many pillars that make up the foundation of a community’s quality of life.” he says. “When you look at a community, you’re going need to provide water. You’re going to need to provide power. You’re going to need to provide roads. No matter what community you live in or move to, those things are going to be there. How you separate yourself in terms of keeping citizens in town and drawing new citizens to town is impacted by the quality of life. What’s offered? What can my kid do? What can I do?”
To answer Garvin’s questions, and to quote Laura Ingalls Wilder, “Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” (The quote is from Missouri Ruralist, February 5, 1916.)
—Vincent van Gogh
Lexington Lake Park, maintained by Johnson County Parks District
Location: 8850 Sunflower Road
Size: 465 acres
If you have an eye for plants, Lexington Lake Park is the place for you. While the park features a 27-acre lake, it is also surrounded by virgin prairie, boasting 120 prairie plant species. A few of these plants are designated as threatened (a species that is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future), including Mead’s milkweed, oak and hickory forest, and tallgrass prairie. The park also features walking trails, bike paths, and a play area.
Lexington Lake Park
Sunflower Nature Park, maintained by Johnson County Parks District
Location: 36500 W. 103rd
Size: 12 acres
Sunflower is most widely used by the residents of De Soto for its ball fields. The western side of the park contains two ball fields and a parking lot. This portion of the park is maintained by De Soto Parks and Rec. The eastern portion of the park, maintained by the Johnson County Parks District, contains a heavily wooded area with walking trails. Though the park is owned by Johnson County Parks District, De Soto entered into a lease agreement involving the ball fields in 1985.
Sunflower Nature Park
Kill Creek Streamway Park, maintained by Johnson County Parks District
Location: 33460 West 95th St.
Size: 105 acres
Though Streamway Park is south of the city limits, it is popular with De Soto residents. Streamway Park is unique in that it runs alongside major streams in Johnson County. It consists of two separate segments of trail, totaling just under 9 miles. In addition to the creek-side trails, the park also offers a spacious dog park (see “Dog Perks,” below) and wide open spaces for picnics in the park.
Kill Creek Streamway Park
Miller Memorial Park, maintained by De Soto Parks and Recreation
Location: 83rd and Ferry
Size: 11.5 acres
Miller Memorial Park is not only the most widely used park in De Soto but also, at more than 50 years old, the oldest. According to Garvin, the park began as gift. “My understanding is that it was old farm ground that was donated. Initially, it started with one baseball field and then continued to grow from there,” Garvin says.
The park offers something for everyone. Residents have full access to ball fields, a basketball court, two tennis courts, asphalt walking trails, playground equipment, a sand volleyball court, two horseshoe pits, and barbecue and picnic facilities. Also within the park is a memorial wall and fountain.
Miller Memorial Park
Widow Big Knife Park, maintained by De Soto Parks and Recreation
Location: 7560 Edgerton Road
Size: 38 acres
Widow Big Knife Park provides a unique benefit to De Soto in the form of revenue. The park consists of a heavily wooded area and some farmland. A portion of the park is leased to the Prairie Trails Archery Club, while the remaining park area is leased to farmers. The property was purchased in 1980 from the original owner, whose last name was Big Knife.
Widow Big Knife Park
Wilderness Park, maintained by De Soto Parks and Recreation
Location: 13205 Evening Star Road
Size: 67 acres
Wilderness Park lives up to its name, containing several acres of heavily wooded area, ideal for hiking and camping. The park was originally acquired in 1971 from the U.S. government through the Department of the Interior, which manages public lands and minerals, national parks, and wildlife refuges. Also located within Wilderness Park is the Sportsman’s Club Gun Range.
Wilderness Park
photo courtesy De Soto Parks and Recreation
Riverfest Park, maintained by De Soto Parks and Recreation
Location: 33440 W. 79th St.
Size: 79 acres
While a number of the area parks are ideal spots to connect with nature, Riverfest Park offers the opportunity to just connect. Primarily used for festivals, concerts, and other events, Riverfest Park is De Soto’s newest park. The park was originally created from land already owned by the Parks and Recreation department. In 2003, land adjacent to the original plot was purchased, with another adjacent tract being purchased in 2021. Among the events hosted at the park are barbecue contests, Fourth of July celebrations, carnivals, and movie nights. Riverfest Park will also be the future home of a soccer facility.
Riverfest Park
DOG PERKS
A generous portion of Kill Creek Streamway Park has been dedicated as space for De Soto’s furriest residents. An off-leash dog park covers 16 acres. With plenty of space to romp creekside, the park is a treat for both dogs and their owners. There are also a number of pet-friendly walking paths and trails, though dogs must be on-leash when utilizing these areas. As an added bonus, pups have access to clean creeks and streams for sipping and splashing.
FOR MORE
WWW.DESOTOKS.US/151/PARKS-RECREATION
