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JoCo Notes: Overland Park playground gets shade structure

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It’s Monday, Blue Valley!

☀️ Today’s forecast: Mostly sunny. High: 84. Low: 65.

One thing to know today

Children playing at the playground at Verhaeghe Park in south Overland Park have a new amenity.

The Johnson County Park & Recreation District added a shade structure to the farm-themed play area at the park, 11401 W 167th St.

The new shade was funded in part by a donation from the Verhaeghe family, which donated more than 40 acres of land for the park itself.

The farm theme of the playground is meant to reflect the Verhaeghe family’s 100-year history of farming and raising their own crops in that area of Johnson County.

The park, one of the newest in the Johnson County Park system, also serves as an access point to the Coffee Creek Streamway Trail, a 3.4-mile paved trail that can be used by walkers and cyclists.

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Public meetings Monday

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A thousand words

A coyote spotted crossing the parking lot at Leawood Pioneer Library last week. Photo via Instagram.

About the author

Kyle Palmer
Kyle Palmer

Hi! I’m Kyle Palmer, the editor of the Johnson County Post.

Prior to joining the Post in 2020, I served as News Director for KCUR. I got my start in journalism at the University of Missouri, where I worked for KBIA, mid-Missouri’s NPR affiliate. After college, I spent 10 years as a teacher and went on to get a master’s degree in education policy from Stanford University.

Have a story idea or a comment about our coverage you’d like to share? Email me at kyle@johnsoncountypost.com.

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