City: Kansas City, MO

Category: Parks & Recreation

Address: 7900 Renner Rd.

Description: More than three million visitors enjoy this 1,250-acre park every year, more than any other park in the state of Kansas, making the district wonder why it doesn’t open a tollbooth. Lucky for us, it’s a public park and anyone can enjoy its many natural wonders along with a few treasures where Mother Nature got some human help. Facilities include a 150-acre lake for boating, fishing, and sailboarding, 12 shelters and numerous picnic areas, horseback and nature trails, an archery range, and a marina. A sandy beach with a concession and bathhouse appeals to sun-lovers. The fee for adult Johnson County residents is $5 and $5.50 for non-residents, $3 and $3.50 for children. Shelters range in size from Shelter No. 3 with a lake view and seating for 32 to No. 10 in the Walnut Grove area with three grills, 20 tables, and seating for 160. Please invite us to that party. In fall this park has a splashy show of colorful foliage that rivals New England. Colorful trees line the main road that circles the park; take one and head to the south side of the park where a 5-story observation tower provides a breathtaking view of the jewel-tone leaves. Shawnee Mission Park is also home to Theatre in the Park, a popular summer theater venue, and the John Barkley Visitor Center, which has an exhibit on the history of parks in Johnson County. Pet owners, however, make a mad dash to the dog park, a 53-acre fenced area that is leash-free. With access to the lake, it’s a favorite with labs, who gleefully swim out to retrieve sticks. Leashes are required everywhere else.