City: Kansas City, MO

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (913) 596-7077

Description: You could easily imagine you’re in the Lake of the Ozarks while driving through this 1,500-acre parkland with bluffs, heavily timbered woods, and gently rolling hills. Boating and fishing on this 400-acre lake are allowed from the last Sat in Feb through Nov 30. Call about hours and permits. A horse trail and children’s playground are other possibilities, and be sure to show up for free model railroad rides each second Sat of the month from Apr through Nov. Just don’t expect to feed the geese; it’s strictly prohibited. WyCo Lake, as we call it, has 16 shelter houses, each with water, electricity, restrooms, and playground equipment; there’s a reservation fee for each. The handsome James P. Davis Hall provides air-conditioned comfort for up to 150 guests. The lake is also home to the Korea-Vietnam Memorial, the only monument in the United States to honor soldiers from both wars. Dedicated in 1988, the structure includes a wall of marble fronted by two life-size bronze statues representing 111 who died from Wyandotte County.