April 2011 PAW Dates

Here are your April 2011 PAW dates! So exciting, I know!  Keep in mind, there are a few dates towards the end of the month that I have coordinated with the Lee's Summit school district days off, so you can get your heathens out of your hair for at least an hour, maybe two.  Click on the names of the parks for their reviews from the previous year!

April 1st, Friday - 1:00 pm
Harris Park

Location: 601 SW Jefferson St, Lee's Summit, MO 64063
It is a seriously beautiful park with its mature trees, and the shade that comes with that is superb.  This park is picnic perfect as well, with plenty of places for a picnic blanket or the shelter.  The playgrounds and green area is more than enough to entertain your kids and keep them busy with the swing-sets, playground equipment (castle-shaped), and room to run.  This park is in the same park complex as (newer) Summit Waves, and the Harris Park Community Center. This is a pretty easy park to find as you can see the complex from 291 South.


April 6th, Wednesday - 3:00 pm
Joseph A. Dyke Playground (aka Legacy Park)
Location: 1201-1501 NE Legacy Park Dr, Lee's Summit, MO 64063
This park is nestled in between the girl's softball fields and the baseball fields and is fairly easy to find.  The playground itself is one of the more modern ones in Lee's Summit, being built around 2002. It has the larger and more modern play structures, which includes an attached "web climber". Positioned to the left of the playground, there is a swing-set with two lounge toddler swings and two older child swings. Further on there is the tunnels, perfect for little ones to run through, or even better - bring out the tricycle and ride on the paths through them.

April 14th, Thursday - 11:00 am
Waterfall Park
Location: 4501 S. Bass Pro Drive, Independence MO 64055
Located in the Bass Pro shopping center. This park has a picnic shelter, a "fishing" dock, large playground, and around a dozen or so picnic tables scattered under the tree canopy surrounding the playground.  Bring some bread to feed the ducks, or perhaps a large stick to fend them off; whichever you prefer

April 22nd, Friday - 11:00 am (Lee's Summit - No School Day)
Lowenstein/Children's Memorial Butterfly Garden 
Location: 1901 NW Lowenstein Dr, Lees Summit, MO 64081
Beautiful Park with good parking, and lots of opportunity for picnics, walks, or enjoying then serene calmness of the butterfly garden. The parking is great; there are always enough places to park every time I have been here. There isn't much shade on the playground equipment, so extra sunscreen is a requirement if it's moderately sunny. There also is only one bench for the playground, but this is a minor flaw since sitting in the grass or at the shelter is a very viable option. It's across from the Chipman Mall Complex off of Pryor Road - so fairly easy to get to, although you cannot see the playground from Pryor Road.  Bring your lunch and we'll picnic!

April 28th, Thursday - 11:00 am (Lee's Summit - No School Day)

Happy Tails
Location: 1251 SE Ranson Rd, Lee's Summit, MO  64063 
Bring our your furry friends to this one - Lee's Summit's very own dog park and playground in one (Don't worry, the playground and dog park are separated by a fence)!  If you have a dog, or you or your kids like dogs, be sure to come out to Happy Tails! There is a nice modern playground with plenty of benches right in the shadow of the big blue water-tower near Todd George, as well as a large dog off-leash play area and separate small dog play area.  Just head towards the water-tower! You can't miss it!

I hope everyone is as excited as I am to get out of my house and take the kids to the park! You'll love it; they'll love it! It's a win-win for everyone! See you there!




P.S.!
Here are some local park links to the Lee's Summit, Kansas City, Blue Springs, and Independence park and recreation sites.  Feel free to take a look and if a particular park stands out to you, comment and let me know! I'll make sure to put it in the next month's schedule!