Johnson County Park & Recreation District: Calendar of Events

Now Available	*JCPRD January - March 2012 Activities* Catalog Is Now Available** The JCPRD January - March 2012 Activities catalog listing over 1,000 programs, classes and events is now available on-line and in print. The Activities catalog, in print form, is available at all Johnson County libraries and at all JCPRD facilities. To view the current catalog on-line visit the Activities web page. If you'd like to recieve future issues of the catalog by mail, please complete a Mailing List Sign-Up Form. Address: All JCPRD offices and facilities and all Johnson County libraries Phone Number: (913) 438-7275

Now thru Feb. 28	Public Input Sought on Proposed Property Exchange Public Notice has been given that the Johnson County Park & Recreation District will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28 regarding a proposed property exchange of JCPRD’s 40-acre Stanley Nature Park located adjacent to Blue Valley High School for two separate properties totaling 60.8 acres located in the Camp Branch Creek watershed. The public hearing will be held at the Blue Valley Academy Commons, 7500 West 149th Terrace, Overland Park, Kansas 66223. The proposed property exchange is being considered at the request of the Blue Valley School District and it is consistent with Map 2020, , the master action plan the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners approved in 2001. The future parkland JCPRD would receive in the proposed exchange would complement the Camp Branch Creek and Blue River streamway parks that are planned for southeast Johnson County. A Natural Resource Assessment of all three properties was recently completed by Vireo (formerly Patti Banks Associates) of Kansas City, Missouri, and was presented to the board at its regular monthly meeting on January 12. Additional information regarding the proposed exchange will be posted on this website as it becomes available. Public comments on the proposed exchange may be presented during the public hearing on February 28 at the board’s discretion. Comments may also be shared with the board by mailing them to: Community Relations, Johnson County Park & Recreation District, 7904 Renner Road, Shawnee, Kansas 66219, or submitting by email to: communityrelations@jocogov.org. Please reference “Property Exchange” on any such communication.

Now thru March 1	Focus on Fun Photo Contest - New Entry Deadline! The entry deadline for Focus on Fun has been extended to March 1, 2012. If you're an amateur photographer and have favorite photos you've taken while enjoying a JCPRD park or facility or while having fun at a JCPRD program or event, we'd like you to enter them in our Focus on Fun Photo Contest for a chance to win cash prizes and more. You can enter up to three photos in each of the following categories: Activities & Events, Parks & Trails, and Nature & Wildlife. There will be three winners in each of the categories: 1st Prize is $250 cash, 2nd Prize is a $100 JCPRD gift certificate, and 3rd Prize is a $50 JCPRD gift certificate. In addition to your chance to win prizes, every photo you enter will be considered for use on www.jcprd.com and for placement in a variety of JCPRD publications, displays and presentations. You'll find contest rules, instructions, and entry forms on the Focus on Fun Photo Contest web page.

February 5	The Good, the Bad, and the Smelly - Sunday Family Series at Ernie Miller Nature Center Take a different look at some of the not-so-glamorous animals around such as spiders, snakes, and skunks. These critters may not be loveable to all, but learn why they are important to our lifestyles and environment. Live snakes and spiders will be displayed at our Ernie Miller Nature Center. Presentations are approximately 45 minutes in length and only cost $2.75 per guest (including adults) and guests 2 & under are free. This is a pay at the site event. Please contact us with any questions or comments. Time: 02:00 PM Address: Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Highway 7, Olathe, Kansas Phone Number: (913) 764-7759

February 8	JCPRD Admin. Services & Recreation Committees Meetings JCPRD's Administrative Services & Recreation Committees meeting will be held at the District Administration Building in Shawnee Mission Park. For details about the agenda please view the agendas on our JCPRD Open Meetings web page. Time: 09:00 AM Address: JCPRD Administration Building, 7904 Renner Road, Shawnee, Kansas, 66219 Phone Number: (913) 438-7275

February 8	Park and Golf Courses/Safety & Outdoor Education Comm. Meetings The JCPRD Safety & Outdoor Education (SOE)* and the Parks & Golf Committees will meet in the District Administration Building Boardroom at Shawnee Mission Park. Feel free to view updates about the meeting Agenda and/or Board Report. *The name if the Park Safety & Interpretation (PSI) Division and corresponding board committee have been renamed to Safety & Outdoor Recreation (SOE). Time: 09:00 AM Address: JCPRD Administration Building, 7904 Renner Rd, Shawnee, Kansas, 66219 Phone Number: (913) 438-7275

February 11	Laura’s Legacy at Ernie Miller Nature Center Celebrate the birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder, early Kansas pioneer. Participants will make a rag doll, experience lessons from 1800’s school, and hear music from the time period. Refreshments will be served and Laura will tell favorite stories from her childhood long ago. Participants are invited to wear pioneer clothing. The cost of the program to be paid at the site is $7 per person including adults. Call for reservations and more information. Reservations are required. Time: 10:00 AM To 12:00 PM Address: Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, Kansas Phone Number: (913) 764-7759

February 12	Being Bold in the Cold - Sunday Family Series at Ernie Miller Nature Center Discover how dangerous cold weather can be. Find out what tools and traits can help you survive the cold weather if you get lost on a hike, including how to build a fire. Learn about how some animals are adapted to the cold, and get to meet a live rabbit at our Ernie Miller Nature Center. Presentations are approximately 45 minutes in length and only cost $2.75 per guest (including adults) and guests 2 & under are free. This is a pay at the site event. Please contact us with any questions. Time: 02:00 PM Address: Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Highway 7, Olathe, Kansas Phone Number: (913) 764-7759

February 14	“Be Mine Tonight” Valentine’s Day Dance - Ages 50 Plus Love is in the air! Grab your sweetheart or special friend and spend the evening dancing the night away. Enjoy classical melodic tunes performed by The Overland Park Orchestra. Coffee and desserts served. Drawings will be held for some great door prizes. This fun-filled evening is just $8 per person if registered before February 7 or $10 at the door. Please call to register by February 7. Time: 07:00 PM To 09:00 PM Address: Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty, Overland Park, Kansas, 66204 Phone Number: (913) 642-6410

February 15	JCPRD Regular Board Meeting The JCPRD Regular Board Meeting is scheduled to meet in the District Administration Building Boardroom at Shawnee Mission Park. Feel free to view the meeting Agenda and/or Board Report or call for details. Time: 07:00 PM Address: JCPRD Administration Building, 7904 Renner Rd, Shawnee, Kansas, 66219 Phone Number: (913) 438-7275

February 15	JCPRD Committee of the Whole Meeting The JCPRD Committee of the Whole plan to meet in the District Administration Building Boardroom at Shawnee Mission Park. Feel free to view the meeting Agenda and/or Board Report or call for details. Time: 05:30 PM Address: JCPRD Administration Building, 7904 Renner Road, Shawnee, Kansas, 66219 Phone Number: (913) 438-7275

February 15	Animal Tales at Ernie Miller Nature Center You might think that bugs are yucky…but we’ll tell you why they are our buddies! Join us for this listen and learn activity for children ages two to six. The 30-minute program features stories, songs and a visit from a special animal friend. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The cost of the program to be paid at the site is $2 per person including adults. Pre-registration is not required. Call for more information. Time: 10:30 AM Address: Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas-7 Highway, Olathe, Kansas Phone Number: (913) 764-7759

February 18	Great Backyard Bird Count at Ernie Miller Nature Center Every year biologists and researchers count on ‘you’ to help them determine the health of bird populations here in North America. Join us during this free event as we count birds and contribute to a worthy cause. You can stay for 15 minutes or the entire seven-hour event and you may see Northern Cardinals, Black-capped chickadees, and many more feathered friends. Learn about the birds that spend winters in Northeast Kansas from experienced birders from Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City. Please call for more information. Time: 09:00 AM To 04:00 PM Address: Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Highway 7, Olathe, Kansas Phone Number: (913) 764-7759

February 19	Nature Treasure Adventure - Sunday Family Series at Ernie Miller See rainforest parrots and Kansas critters on a “Nature Treasure Expedition” as we explore nature locally and around the world. We hope to inspire you to set sail on your own family adventures at our Ernie Miller Nature Center. Presentations are approximately 45 minutes in length and only cost $2.75 per guest (including adults) and guests 2 & under are free. This is a pay at the site event. Please contact us with any questions. Time: 02:00 PM Address: Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Highway 7, Olathe, Kansas Phone Number: (913) 764-7759

February 22	Winter Trout Stocking at Shawnee Mission Park Lake Come watch as 3,000 lbs. of trout are stocked in Shawnee Mission Park Lake at 3:45 pm. The 2012 Trout Season will begin with a siren start at 8 am on Saturday, February 25 at both Heritage Park and Shawnee Mission Park lakes. Call for information on fishing and trout permits. Time: 03:45 PM Address: Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Road, Shawnee, Kansas Phone Number: (913) 888-4713

February 22	Winter Trout Stocking at Heritage Park Marina Come watch as 1,000 lbs. are stocked at Heritage Park Lake Marina at 2:30 pm. The 2012 Trout Season will begin with a siren start at 8 am on Saturday, February 25 at Heritage Park and Shawnee Mission Park lakes. Call for information on fishing and trout permits. Time: 02:30 PM Address: Heritage Park, 16445 Lackman Road, Olathe, Kansas Phone Number: (913) 888-4713

February 25	Long John & Loppers Ecological Restoration Workday at Kill Creek Park This free winter workday at Kill Creek Park organized by Kansas City WildLands is a great opportunity to do hands-on restoration and conservation work on the area’s ever-dwindling wild acres. You will help make a difference to the wild areas of Kansas City that will be evident for years to come! Contact us to register or for more information or to register. Address: 11670 S. Homestead Lane, Olathe, Kansas, 66061 Phone Number: (816) 561-1061

February 26	Birds of Prey - Sunday Family Series at Ernie Miller Nature Center By day or night, out of the sky flies a rodent’s nightmare, the birds of prey. Join our interpretive staff as they show why rodents fear these great birds. Using live birds, participants will see up close examples of these magnificent raptors and their special adaptations. Presentations are approximately 45 minutes in length and only cost $2.75 per guest (including adults) and guests 2 & under are free. This is a pay at the site event. Please contact us with any questions or comments. Time: 02:00 PM Address: Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Highway 7, Olathe, Kansas Phone Number: (913) 764-7759

February 28	JCPRD Special Board Meeting A Special Board Meeting is scheduled in the District Blue Valley Academy Commons. (Purpose: Consider the potential exchange of Stanley Nature Park. The Special Board Meeting will include a Public Hearing (announced separately) to consider a potential exchange of real property between JCPRD and the Blue Valley School District and to review and to take public comments on a natural resource assessment performed on each property proposed to be considered in the potential exchange of real property.) Feel free to view the meeting Agenda and/or Board Report or call for details. Time: 06:00 PM Address: Blue Valley Academy Commons, 7500 West 149th Terrace, Overland Park, Kansas, 66223 Phone Number: (913) 438-7275

February 28	Public Hearing on Proposed Property Exchange Public Notice has been given that the Johnson County Park & Recreation District will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28 regarding a proposed property exchange of JCPRD’s 40-acre Stanley Nature Park located adjacent to Blue Valley High School for two separate properties totaling 60.8 acres located in the Camp Branch Creek watershed. The public hearing will be held at the Blue Valley Academy Commons, 7500 West 149th Terrace, Overland Park, Kansas 66223. The proposed property exchange is being considered at the request of the Blue Valley School District and it is consistent with Map 2020, the master action plan the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners approved in 2001. The future parkland JCPRD would receive in the proposed exchange would complement the Camp Branch Creek and Blue River streamway parks that are planned for southeast Johnson County. A Natural Resource Assessment of all three properties was recently completed by Vireo (formerly Patti Banks Associates) of Kansas City, Missouri, and was presented to the board at its regular monthly meeting on January 12. Additional information regarding the proposed exchange will be posted on this website as it becomes available. Public comments on the proposed exchange may be presented during the public hearing on February 28 at the board’s discretion. Comments may also be shared with the board by mailing them to: Community Relations, Johnson County Park & Recreation District, 7904 Renner Road, Shawnee, Kansas 66219, or submitting by email to: communityrelations@jocogov.org. Please reference “Property Exchange” on any such communication. Any person who desires to participate in the public hearing, and who requires special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must give notice to JCPRD at least 10 days before the scheduled hearing by calling 913-438-7275 or faxing to 913-894-3374. Time: 06:00 PM Address: Blue Valley Academy Commons, 7500 W 149th Terrace, Overland Park, KS, 66223