What’s In a Name?
Parks
Ad Astra Park
Means “to the stars” and is part of the Kansas state motto, located at 83rd and Mauer Road.
Source: "What's in a Name?" Johnson County Sun, 20 January 1989, p. 1.
Antioch Park
The District's first developed park is located at 65th and Antioch Road in the City of Merriam and could have been named for its location on Antioch. The Rose Garden in the park is named for Helen S. Cuddy, long-time member of master gardeners.
Sources: Parks and Facilities. Johnson County Park & Recreation District, 1999.
http://www.jcprd.com/parks_facilities/ antioch_park.cfm.
"Female Eagle's Nest Now Antioch Park." Shawnee Journal Herald, 15 May 1991.
Aviation Park
William Strang built the park to attract homeowners to the area of Metcalf and 79th. He hosted air shows and baseball games.
Source: History of Overland Park.
City of Overland Park, 2006.
http://www.opkansas.org/_Assets/cm/ history_1979.pdf
Big Bull Creek Regional Park
Named for “historical significance of the area,” this park is near Edgerton in Southwest Johnson County and includes the former Mildale Farm.
Source: "New Park is No Bull to Residents." Olathe Daily News, 16 September 1998, p. 1A.
Esther Brown Memorial Park
Located at 51st and England in Merriam and named for Esther Brown who was instrumental in desegregation efforts at South Park Elementary.
Source: "1985 a Year of Improvemetns to Merriam Park System." Shawnee Journal Herald, 26 February 1986.
Caenen Park
Was named for Remi Caenen by his daughter, Mae Boehm, who deeded the land to the Town of Monrovia to be used as a park for the neighborhood children. The city of Shawnee called it the Monrovia Park because of its locale to the old town of Monrovia. This park is located at Johnson Dr and Caenen Avenue.
Source: "Caenen Grandkids Correct Park Name." Shawnee Journal Herald, 16 October 1991, p. 5A.
Chatlain Park
Located at 63rd Terrace and Carter, this park was named for John Chatlain. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and was on the Merriam city council for 32 years.
Source:
"Merriam Dedicated its Newest Park." Kansas City Star, 2 August 2000, p. MIS 13.
Heritage Park
This 1,160-acre park, located at 159th and Pflumm Road, was dedicated on July 4, 1981. It’s name was chosen to honor the rich early heritage of the Black Bob band of Shawnee Indians and the pioneer settlers of the area.
Sources: "Heritage Park". Olathe Daily News, 19 September 1982, p. B1.
Parks and Facilities. Johnson County Park & Recreation District, 1999.
http://www.jcprd.com/parks_facilities/ heritage_park.cfm
Hickok Park
86th Street and Clare road in Lenexa is the home of the Hickok Park, named for former resident, James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok.
Source:
"Hickok Claim Becomes Hickok Park." Shawnee Journal Herald, 27 November 1991, p. 8A.
Hocker Grove
Named for R.W. Hocker open from 1907 to 1919, this park had a picnic ground, skating rink, and gymnasium for basketball. It was located in what is now the Hocker Grove subdivision in Merriam.
Source:
Bailes, Kendall. From hunting ground to suburb: A history of Merriam, Kansas. Merriam: Mission Press, 1956, p. 27.
I-Lan Park
Dedicated to Leawood’s sister city, I-Lan, Taiwan, and located at 126th and Nall.
Source:
"Construction of new Leawood parks nears completion." Johnson County Sun, 21 August 2003, p. 8C.
Kill Creek Regional Park
The third regional park in the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s system, it is located near 116th and Homestead Lane in DeSoto. The Kill Creek stream runs through the area and is the namesake for this park.
Source:
"New Park Proposed in West Olathe." Olathe Daily News, 24 May 1996, p. 1A.
Lenagsee/Na-Nag-si
Named for the wife of Chief Black Hoof of the Shawnee Indians, located at 83rd and Lackman.
Source: "What's In a Name?"
DeZutter, Mary. Johnson County Sun, 20 January 1989, p.1.
Merriam Park
The original Merriam Park, located in Merriam at what is now Shawnee Mission Parkway and Interstate 35, was an amusement park for young and old from 1880 to 1900. The 40-acre site included a lagoon, zoo, dozens of cncessions and games, a Pavilion, and sports amenities.
Sources: Bailes, Kendall. From hunting ground to suburb: A history of Merriam, Kansas. Merriam: Mission Press, 1956, p. 25.
About Merriam ~ History. Merriam Visitors Bureau, 2005.
http://www.exploremerriam.com/MERRIAM/index.htm
Molamphy Park
Named for Richard Molamphy, first president of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce; located at 110th and Conser.
Source: "
What’s in a Name? A Piece of Overland Park’s Past." Johnson County Sun, 22 May 1990, p.1.
Porter Park
Located at Tomahawk and Roe in Prairie Village, Porter Park is named for the Porter Elementary Schoolhouse that once was located there.
Source:
"History of Porter family provides look back at yesterday in Johnson County." Johnson County Sun, 4 August 1982, p. 9A.
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead
This 12-acre park is located at 138th and Switzer in Overland Park. Opened in 1978, the park features such amenities as farm animals, a one-room schoolhouse, and gardens. It was re-named in 1985 to honor Deanna Rose, the only Overland Park police officer and first woman police officer in Kansas to be killed in the line of duty.
Source: Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. City of Overland Park, 2006.
http://www.opkansas.org/_Vis/Farmstead/index.cfm
Sar-Ko-Par Park
Name the Shawnee Indian who was the first owner of the park property, located at Moonlight Road and 87th.
Source: "What's in a Name?" Johnson County Sun, 20 January 1989, p. 1
William Strang Park
A park was finally named for William Strang Jr., founder of Overland Park, and was dedicated on August 28, 1976 at Farley and Knox.
Source: "Overland Park Honors Founder." Kansas City Star, 27 May 1976.
Lucyann Vavra Park
Located at 61st and Eby in Merriam, this park was dedicated in 1978 to the first city administrator of Merriam, Lucyann Vavra.
Source:
"1985 a Year of Improvements to Merriam Park System." Shawnee Journal Herald, 26 February 1986.
