Get a close look at big trucks and other vehicles, enjoy lunch accompanied by violin music, learn how to better use your superpowers, or hone you map and compass skills during JCPRD’s April special events.
April events include: Trucks and Big Rigs for Kids on April 14; Soup, Salad, and the Strolling Strings on April 24, Superhero Saturday on April 28; and the Map and Compass Orientation Workshop, also on April 24.
Trucks and Big Rigs for Kids is an annual event which lets kids get an up-close look at big rigs, tractors, and all types of equipment, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, in the parking lot at The Theatre in the Park. Participants can see what the insides of these vehicles look like. This event is for all ages, but parents are encouraged to bring their little ones out to meet and greet trucks, tractors, construction, and city vehicles up close. They’ll have the opportunity to crawl, climb, and sit in the driver’s seat while visiting with the real-life operators of these vehicles. The first 100 children will get a free construction worker hat.
Admission to this three-hour event is free, but a donation of $10 per participant vehicle is suggested. Proceeds benefit the district's Special Olympics and Special Populations programs.
Participants will enjoy a delicious lunch of soup, salad, and dessert during a special event being planned in late April by the 50 Plus Department of the Johnson County Park & Recreation District.
The fourth annual
Soup, Salad, and the Strolling Strings program for 50 Plus and will take place beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, at the Matt Ross Community Center. Participants will enjoy a delicious lunch of soup, salad, and dessert while the talented Shawnee Mission North Strolling Strings will play delightful melodies on a variety of stringed instruments including the violin, cello, bass, and viola.
The cost for this one-hour event, including lunch, is $13 per person for Johnson County residents or $14 per person for nonresidents.
While JCPRD’s 50 Plus programs are primarily for people who are age 50 or older, interested parties who have not yet reached that magic age may still be able to attend. Persons 18 and older who are interested in a 50 Plus class are invited to call the 50 Plus Department at (913) 826-3030 for space availability.
Bring your little crime-stopper, and suit up and celebrate National Superhero Day during the new
Superhero Saturday special event on Saturday, April 28 in Shawnee Mission Park. Costumes are encouraged for this action-packed morning. Activities will include superhero training, a scavenger hunt, art activities, and a party favor. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held indoors at the Roeland Park Community Center.
This event will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, at Shawnee Mission Park’s Shelter #2 located at the east end of Small Lakes Road. The cost for one 90-minute event is $12 per child ages 16 and under for Johnson County residents or $13 per child for nonresidents.
Finally, the
Map and Compass Orientation Workshop on Saturday, April 28, at the Ernie Miller Nature Center will give participants a chance to learn basic skills that can help keep them from losing their way when hiking cross-country. This beginner’s workshop for ages 16 and older and children accompanied by a parent or guardian. Members of the Possum Trot Orienteering Club will instruct the program, and will introduce participants to orienteering, a fun way of learning the basic skills for using a topographic map and a magnetic compass. The program includes a practice orienteering hike in the park. Workbook and the loan of a compass are provided. Remember to dress for the weather.
The Map and Compass Orientation Workshop will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 28. The cost for this three-hour workshop is $15 per person for Johnson County residents or $17 for nonresidents.
The Theatre in the Park is located at 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee. Matt Ross Community Center is located at 8101 Marty St., Overland Park. The
Ernie Miller Nature Center is located at 909 North Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe.