Get Outdoors!: Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens 8909 W. 179th Street Overland Park, KS www.OPKansas.org 913.685.3604 Hot Tips
- Admittance is free.
- The arboretum is open daily from 8:00 to 7:30 mid April through September, and from 8:00 to 5:00 the rest of the year.
- Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash and are not allowed on concrete walks.
- \Concrete paths are stroller friendly.
School is out and summer officially starts this month. It’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors, and the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is the perfect place to do just that.
Before You Go
Your children might know what to expect at a garden, but do they know what an arboretum is? Be sure to tell them that they’ll see many different trees, shrubs, flowers and insects. Encourage their observation skills by planning a scavenger hunt. You can find ideas on the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens website or you can make your own. Don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch and some extra water bottles. Then, grab your camera (and maybe some binoculars or a magnifying glass) and go!
While You’re There
Make the Environmental Education/Visitors Center your first stop so that you can grab a trail map. The arboretum has nearly 5 miles of trails. You can head out on longer mulched trails or stroll on concrete and stroller friendly paths. Don’t forget those scavenger hunts! Children (and adults) might also like sketching or taking photos of the trees and flowers they encounter. Get up close with a magnifying glass or some binoculars but remember to follow the rules and remind children not to touch the plants or wildlife.
When You Get Home
Did your children notice the Monet Garden? The garden is modeled after Monet’s original gardens that inspired his famous paintings. Consider planning an outing to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (www.Nelson-Atkins.org). Now through Aug. 7, you and your children can see a special Monet exhibit. Encourage your children to draw pictures of what they saw at the arboretum. If you’d like more ideas for special places to visit this summer, be sure to visit our Out and About in Kansas City section to make your summer one to remember.
Elizabeth Welter lives in Olathe where she and her three children plan to make the most of every moment this summer.
