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Shawnee Mission Park
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Many recreational opportunities may be found here.
- All photos by Jim Mason |
Here's some urban wildlife you won't want to miss! Located
at 7900 Renner Road in Shawnee, Shawnee Mission Park is the largest of the
Johnson County parks and the most visited park in the
state. This 1,250-acre urban refuge includes a 150-acre lake, ponds,
marshes, forests, and meadows. |
On the west
boundary, experience the Mill Creek Streamway Trail. This meandering 11-mile asphalt
pathway takes you along the stream and through riparian and hillside
oak-hickory forests and upland native prairies. White-tailed deer, gray and fox
squirrels, red and gray foxes, and wild turkeys are sometimes sighted by hikers.
Northern cardinals, black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice, downy and
red-bellied woodpeckers are commonly seen. On spring evenings listen for the
call of the whip-poor-will.
| The John Barkley Visitor Center is located at the park entrance.
This is also the administrative headquarters for the Johnson County Parks
and Recreation District. Stop in here for a site map and brochures
for Shawnee Mission Park or any of their many other facilities in Johnson
county. A historical display telling the history of Johnson County
parks is located here as well. |
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In the spring and fall check the lake and ponds for pied-billed grebes and
mallard ducks. Ospreys occasionally fish the lake. Don't overlook the common
snipe and spotted sandpipers on the shoreline. The marshy ponds below the dam
attract red-winged blackbirds, belted kingfishers, and great blue herons. In
winter you may see a bald eagle perched on a shoreline tree.
 | Restrooms, Picnic tables, Shelters, Grills, Water available, Boat ramp. |
 Camping not allowed. Park
hours: March 1 - October 31, 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
November 1 - February 28, 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Discover what to see, eat and do in Kansas.
Plan your trip today, at TravelKS.com!
 South Shore Trail (3 miles); North Shore
Trail (0.6 mile); Sertoma Woodland Trail (0.4 mile)
The 11-mile Mill Creek Streamway Park Trail can also be accessed from the park.
Click the icon to find a birding list for Johnson County.
Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches
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Directions:
From 1-35 take westbound 1-435 to 87th Street Parkway. Travel west to Renner
Road, then north to the park entrance at 79th Street.
For a Google Map for this site,
click here. |
Ownership:
The entity responsible for management of Shawnee Mission Lake is Johnson
County Parks & Recreation.
Contact them at (913) 438-7275 if you have
specific questions about use or management of the site.
Visit their
web site.
John Barkley Visitor Center (913)
888-4713
1,250 acres
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Funded by the
Chickadee Checkoff Program
Click here for a brochure! |
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Kansas web site
© 2011
by
the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
& Tourism.
Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use
requires written permission. If you are a Kansas resident, please
assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs
by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form. |
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Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
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