A World of Adventure Awaits in Shawnee, KS
If you’re looking for outdoor activities in Shawnee, get ready to enjoy a world full of scenic parks and trails, newly updated sports facilities and entertaining outdoor programs. In other words, everyone can have fun in the sun in Shawnee, no matter your age or interest.
“We provide something for all of the residents and provide that sense of community and belonging,” says Tonya Lecuru, director of Shawnee Parks & Recreation. “It’s where people make memories.”
Here’s a look at the wonderful outdoor activities in Shawnee.
In This Article
Scenic Parks in Shawnee
Shawnee Parks manages 32 park areas, and Lecuru says the long-term goal is to have a park or open green space within one-third of a mile of every resident.
One of the more exciting park improvements bubbled up at Gum Springs Park.
The park celebrated the completion of a renovation in the spring of 2024. It now boasts an upgraded playground, an asphalt trail transformed to concrete and other updates. One popular feature is Lunia, a 33-foot net climber that looks like a hot air balloon.
Johnson County operates Shawnee Mission Park, which is a massive park known for its lake, swimming opportunities, beach, marina, trails and disc golf course.
“It’s a great place for people to get out and be active,” says Kellen Jenkins, marketing and communications manager for the Johnson County Park & Recreation District.
In addition to people, pups can enjoy the park, as well, as it offers a 44-acre, off-leash area for dogs. “It’s the only one like that with a dog park in the state,” Jenkins says.
Trails Hit All Corners
Hiking, biking and walking trails dot the landscape in the area. Clear Creek Trail is the main east-west paved trail in Shawnee. “It really connects our community and brings everyone together,” Lecuru says.
It also connects to the Gary L. Haller Trail, which runs from Shawnee through Lenexa and ends in Olathe. Both trails will be access areas to the next big thing in outdoor adventure, Rail Creek Park.
Venturing out on Johnson County trails means you have 150 miles to choose from. “We’ve got trail systems in basically every corner of the county, and we continue to expand on that,” Jenkins says.
Programs Bring People Together
If you are looking for more structured time in city and county parks, there are plenty of programs for all. Programming offered through Shawnee Parks & Recreation includes fitness, dance, and arts and crafts. It also boasts special events, such as concerts, fireworks, barbecue contests and bike tours.
Did You Know?
Johnson County offers more than 4,000 programs each year, ranging from sports, theater, nature hikes and other outdoor education.
Popular Sports Facilities
Teams flock to sports fields and athletic facilities in Shawnee and the surrounding area, as investments have been made to keep them updated and ready to host groups.
3&2 Baseball Club operates 27 fields in the area and has local leagues with 600 teams and 6,000 players. “I grew up playing here, and our motto for our program is generations of memories,” says Jeff Chalk, executive director of 3&2. “It’s just a great family atmosphere.”
While the program provides enriching baseball for local youth, it also has weekend tournaments that draw from states throughout the Midwest. “3&2 is one of the largest tourist spots in Shawnee and Lenexa,” Chalk says. “The economic impact is significant. We are proud to be part of the community.”
The sports opportunities don’t end there. Johnson County operates the Mid-America Sports Complex, which is home to 10 baseball and softball turf fields and was recently renovated. Plus, Mid-America West Sports Complex has 12 softball fields that will be renovated in the fall of 2024.
“We are able to host national tournaments in baseball and softball,” Jenkins says.
Shawnee is also home to the KC Ice Center, where you’ll find hockey clubs, ice skating lessons and public skating opportunities. And with nearly 20 courts, Shawnee Mission Beach Volleyball is the second-largest beach volleyball facility in the U.S. that isn’t located on a beach.
Stay Active and Healthy Here
A key contributor to the Shawnee region’s quality of life and economic strength is its health care industry, as it boasts a pair of top medical venues serving residents. The two sites are AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Hospital in nearby Merriam and an HCA Midwest Health emergency room in Shawnee.
AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Hospital (formerly Shawnee Mission Medical Center) is a 504-bed, multistory facility whose history dates to 1962. The facility has undergone a number of recent upgrades, including a complete renovation to the copper dome outpatient entrance and the addition of AdventHealth Cancer Institute Shawnee Mission, which welcomed patients to its new facility in May of 2024.
Located on the AdventHealth Shawnee Mission campus is the B.E. Smith Family Center, which provides therapy and education for children with special needs and Christian-based child care for children of AdventHealth team members and physicians.
HCA Midwest Health runs ER of Shawnee, located on West 63rd Street. Emergency room staff pride themselves on having infection-prevention protocols and safety measures in place 24/7/365. ER of Shawnee specialists can treat emergencies such as head injuries, heart attacks, strokes, severe bleeding and uncontrolled pain.
The freestanding ER also has high-tech equipment to conduct immediate testing for on-site imaging, full laboratory procedures and results, cutting-edge diagnostic radiology, CT scans, X-rays and ultrasounds.
– Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.
Get to Know Shawnee
Want to learn more about living and working in Shawnee, KS? Check out the latest edition of Livability Shawnee, Kansas.