Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our community, Johnson County Park and Recreation District offers year-round program, activities, and special events for all ages!

For more information or to register online for the programs listed here, visit JCPRD.com/Register and complete a search for any of the activity numbers listed below. To register by phone, call 913-831-3359.

A reminder that 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 913-826-2975 for space availability.

I’ve attached photos that go with:  Starlight Hayride, JamBOOree, Mah Jongg Halloween Party, and Map and Compass Workshop

Here’s a sampling of programs JCPRD has coming up for the week of Oct. 22-28:

Oct. 12 - Astronomy: Starlight Hayride (All Ages)

Oak Ridge Parklands in Shawnee Mission Park, 7460 Ogg Road, Shawnee, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., $13 per person, $14 nonresidents

Join us for a fall hayride and learn about the stars and their ancient stories. This two-hour program includes a hay wagon ride to your viewing location and back for a campfire with cider and marshmallows. We will be learning about the constellations of the evening and the stories that go with them. Dress for the weather. Advanced registration required. Program will proceed even with overcast skies. Every person attending must register and pay, including adults. Program fee is nonrefundable unless program is cancelled for severe weather. Activity number 31804.

Oct. 17 registration deadline, program is Oct. 26 - Games: Mah Jongg Halloween Party (Ages 50 & Older)

Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., $16 per person, $17 nonresidents

You’ll have a ghoul-ish good time at this marathon of Mah Jongg! Bring your friends, favorite foursome, or meet new players and enter to win prizes. Players rotate tables and track wins, no bracket play. Bring your own Mah Jongg Card. Mild chili lunch and dessert included. Cost of admission covers food and staff time to administer the Mah Jongg event. No additional charge for Mah Jongg. Activity number 32102.

Oct. 23 - Special Interest: Powerful Foods for Fighting Chronic Disease (Ages 50 & Older)

Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., 1 to 2:30 p.m., $5 per person, $6 nonresidents

NEW! Our daily food choices can have a profound effect on either preventing or improving chronic disease, like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, and their symptoms. This class is presented by the K-State Research and Extension office. Activity number 32068.

Oct. 23, 25 (2 separate classes) -  Yoga: Yoga (Ages 14 & Older)

Mill Creek Activity Center, 6518 Vista Dr., Shawnee, Mondays or Wednesdays, 5:30 to 6:20 p.m., 6 sessions, $56 per person, $62 nonresidents

LOW INTENSITY: Improve circulation, regulate your metabolism, and increase flexibility and coordination with this yoga class. You will lengthen your muscles while increasing both muscle and bone density. Yoga participants of all levels are welcome. Join us for this class and find out all the benefits of yoga in your life. Activity number 31370. Wednesday class with same timeframe and cost beginning Oct. 25, activity number 31371. For additional information, call 913-826-2950.

Oct. 23 registration deadline, program is Oct. 25 - Games: Special Event - Chili Bingo (Ages 50 & Older)

Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., $17 per person, $19 nonresidents

Celebrate the changing of the seasons meeting new friends over a mild chili, salad, and cinnamon roll dinner - it’s a Kansas thing! 12 games of bingo included. Prizes can range from gift cards to gift baskets. Cost of admission covers snacks and staff time to administer the bingo program. No additional charge for bingo. Activity number 32066.

Oct. 24 - Cards: Bridge Workshops - Duplicate 102 (Ages 50 & Older)

Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty St., Overland Park, 4 to 6 p.m., $12 per person, $13 nonresidents

Always wondered what Duplicate bridge was all about? Here is your chance to find out. Become an in-demand partner. Fun and easy classes help you master a new subject each week. Purchase each workshop individually or take them all! Handouts included. Activity number 31928. See other upcoming Bridge Workshops.

Oct. 24 - Kansas City Symphony Concert in the Park (All Ages)

Antioch Park, 6501 Antioch Road, Merriam, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., FREE

Musicians from the Kansas City Symphony will be performing neighborhood concerts in JCPRD parks, most with the symphony’s Mobile Music Box stage.  All events are weather permitting.

Oct. 26 - Special Interest: Osher - Spirituality in Art: From Assyria to Rothko (Ages 50 & Older)

Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse, 9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, Thursdays, 2 to 3:30 p.m., 3 sessions, $50 per person

Spirituality is the concept of belief beyond oneself: concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things. We’ll examine art from seven epochs — ancient to modern, and then be asked to look, think, and assess the art message and spiritual experience. Activity number 32220.

Oct. 26 - JCPRD Lifeguard Training - October (Ages 15 & Older)

Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center, 17251 W. 87^th Street, Lenexa, 4 to 6 p.m. session via Zoom on Oct. 26, on-site from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 27, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily on Oct. 28 & 29, FREE to potential JCPRD employees

This blended learning American Red Cross Lifeguarding class is intended for potential JCPRD employees only. If you do not wish to lifeguard for JCPRD, then this is not the class for you. Please also fill the form out at JCPRD.com/FormCenter/Aquatics-16/Aquatics-Job-Interest-Form-523.

Oct. 27 - Dance: Drop in and Dance! Musical Theatre (Ages 14 & Older)

Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, 7 to 9 p.m., $15 per person, $16.50 nonresidents

Each class in this Drop in and Dance series running through mid-December will focus on a different genre, including swing, tap, belly dancing, and musical theatre. In this Musical Theatre Class, you'll have the opportunity to learn choreography from popular musicals that will help prepare you for your next dance call or audition! This drop-in series is perfect for dancers of all skill levels, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a complete beginner. Each class will be taught by experienced instructors who are passionate about their respective dance styles, and who will guide you through the movements step-by-step. Classes are just $15 each so whether you’re looking to improve your technique, learn a new style, or just have fun and meet new people, our drop-in dance class series has something for everyone! Activity number 32123. See all classes in this series.

Oct. 27 - JamBOOree (Ages 14 & Under)

The Pavilion at the Theatre in the Park in Shawnee Mission Park with separate entrance at 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee, 5 to 8:30 p.m., FREE

Join us for a BOO-tastic family night featuring Halloween-themed activities, thrills, chills, and treats. Come dressed in your Halloween best. This is a free event, however, participants are asked to bring a canned good donation. The film "Hotel Transylvania" starts about 6:45 in the theatre bowl. For more information, call 913-826-2964.

Oct. 28 - Halloween: Haunted Tales (Ages 8 & Older)

Ernie Miller Park Amphitheater, 909 N. Kansas 7 Highway, Olathe, 7:30 to 9 p.m., $8 per person including adults, $9 nonresidents, $10 on-site day of event if space is available

NEW! Beware of all things that go bump out of sight in the forest on a dark autumn night! Get shivers and goosebumps as stories are told of scary happenings from days of old. Enjoy one hour of scary stories at our outdoor amphitheater and then take a night hike on your own. The program is approximately 1.5 hours including the hike. Dress for the weather. For more information, call 913-826-2800. Advanced registration required. Minimum one paid adult per five paid children. Everyone attending must register in advance and pay, including adults. Program fee is nonrefundable. In case of inclement weather, program will be held inside the nature center. Activity number 31526.