8 Things You May Not Know About Overland Park, KS
There are a lot of cool, unique things about Overland Park, a community of more than 200,000 residents in the Kansas City metro area. Ahead, find eight interesting facts about the region.
In This Article
1. Overland Park has the top farmers market in the country.
After securing the top spot in a voting contest, the market was awarded this designation by American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition at the 14th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration in 2022. The market is a great place to get fresh, locally grown food and the perfect gathering spot for the community. In fact, it buzzes with a neighborhood friendliness and warmth that keeps people coming back.
2. It boasts rankings.
Overland Park is being recognized on a national scale for being a great place to reside. It ranks in Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. and Top 25 Best Places to Live in the Midwest. It’s included in MoneyGeek’s Most Affordable and Safe Mid-to-Large Cities and WalletHub’s Happiest Cities in America and Best Places to Raise a Family. Money Inc. ranked it No. 5 on its 50 Best Suburbs to Live in the U.S. for Families Seeking Quality of Life. Fortune ranked it in the top 10 for Best Places to Live for Families, and Niche rated it No. 2 on its list of Best Cities to Buy a House.
3. It is home to the 300-acre Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.
The gorgeous Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is unmatched in its serenity and value as a cultural resource in the region. More than 1,700 species can be found here, and they can be enjoyed by strolling through the gardens, hiking the trails or taking a self-guided education program. It’s also a beautiful place to visit during the holidays – earning a spot on USA Today’s Readers’ Choice 2024 10 Best Botanical Gardens for Holiday Lights list.
4. The city is the hometown of numerous celebrities.
Overland Park proudly claims several stars, including actors Paul Rudd, Rob Riggle and Jason Sudeikis. Sudeikis even nods to his own Kansas roots in the wildly popular TV show Ted Lasso, in which his character hails from Kansas, loves barbecue and is what many would refer to as “Midwest nice.”
5. Overland Park is a hub for pickleball enthusiasts.
the city ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for internet searches regarding the topic, earning it the title of “Most Pickleball-Obsessed City.” And that’s not all talk and no action – Overland Park has at least 75 pickleball courts throughout the city at more than a dozen different facilities. Residents continue to fall in love with the nation’s fastest-growing sport, so if you consider yourself a “pickleballer,” you’re in good company.
6. Overland Park is the second-largest city in the state and Kansas City metropolitan region.
That’s quite a feat, considering the city is only 65 years old. Overland Park is the textbook definition of a vibrant, growing city, and it’s the perfect size for those wanting to find that sweet spot between smaller cities and larger metropolitan hubs.
7. It boasts some of the most desirable housing in the Kansas City metro area.
With top-rated schools, a thriving job market and an exceptional quality of life, Overland Park consistently ranks as one of the most desirable places to live in the Kansas City metro, offering the perfect blend of suburban comfort and urban convenience. There’s a good supply of options to consider, like quaint neighborhoods near downtown, rental options and vibrant mixed-use developments throughout the city, and singlefamily homes in all shapes and sizes.
8. Overland Park has a popular craft beer scene.
If you’re looking for a refreshing pint, Overland Park is the place to go. This city is home to a collection of unique venues selling craft brews. Check out Discourse Brewing, which serves up creatively named beers, like Yelling at a Concert and Devices Over Time, and Sickies Gargage Burgers and Brews, which has a rotating selection of 50 local craft, domestic and import brews.
Get to Know Overland Park
Want to learn more about living and working in Overland Park, KS? Check out the new edition of Livability Overland Park, Kansas.