Leawood families looking to plan a day outdoors are in luck. Our area features a wide range of parks sure to take your plans to the next level. Whether you’re searching for a small and quiet place to relax or you’re seeking out large parks complete with sports fields and other great amenities, the area in and around Leawood has it all.
In fact, there are so many awesome parks close to home, it can feel impossible to pick the best place to go! So, Crème de la Crème of Leawood put together this list of ten of our favorite local parks to take the guesswork out of your next family excursion.
Leawood City Park
“Leaves in the air” used with permission via Unsplash by Scott Webb
Leawood City Park spans 66 acres for endless outdoor fun. You’ll find places to play sports, trails for walking and jogging, gree space for relaxing, and more.
If you’re ready to get active, highlights of City Park include:
- Two baseball fields.
- Two sand volleyball courts.
- Three basketball goals.
- Six lighted tennis courts.
- 11 soccer fields.
The park also boasts a playground and a half-mile loop trail for jogging. City Park is the trailhead for a 2.5-mile path on the Tomahawk Greenway Trail as well as a 1.5-mile loop of the Indian Creek Greenway Trail. City Park is home to the Leawood Aquatic Center, too. In the mood for some public art? Look for “Lllooppi”, “For the Goal”, and “Run Red Run,” three pieces you’ll find there.
If you want to include the family pet in your outing, you’ll want to have this park on your list of places to visit as well. That’s thanks to the Leawoof Dog Park, situated at the east end of City Park and over the bridge. You can visit the dog park between sunrise and sunset most days, though it’s closed on Thursday mornings for maintenance.
Tomahawk Park and Tomahawk Creek Trail
Enjoy a long family walk along the Tomahawk Creek Trail, which connects Leawood City Park and Tomahawk Park. The 4.1-mile paved trail winds along Tomahawk Creek, offering an array of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The trail is part of the county-wide trail system. While you walk, you can stop by three ponds stocked with bass, bluegill, and catfish, or enjoy a laid-back meal in one of several picnic areas.
In addition to the Tomahawk Trail, Tomahawk Park itself features a playground and shelter as well as a baseball field that sits adjacent to some open play space. The nearly 4-acre park is located on 119th Street between Mission and Tomahawk Creek Parkway.
Ironwoods Park
Ironwoods Park, a 115-acre park situated at Leawood’s 147th Street and Mission Road, has something for everyone. The Prairie Oak Nature Center lets you and your family reconnect with nature, while Camp Ironwoods boasts four rental cabins for individuals or organized groups. The Ironwoods Challenge Course is ideal if you’re seeking out adventure or team-building exercises, and the park is home to The Lodge at Ironwoods, the Oxford School House, and the Ironwoods Amphitheater as well.
That’s not all. Explore Ironwoods Park and discover a playground, two open playing fields, 2 miles of trails, and a 1-acre lake. The park also features two of Leawood’s public art pieces, “Prairie Lessons” and “My Mind.”
Brook Beatty Park
Head over to 86th Terrace and Lee Boulevard to visit Brook Beatty Park, a small neighborhood park in Leawood just under an acre in size. The park is named after Brook Beatty, Leawood’s first fire chief. Home to “Faith,” one of the first pieces of public art in the city, Brook Beatty Park also offers a picnic table, benches, a water fountain/dog bowl, a bike rack, and a playground to keep the kiddos entertained.
Gezer Park
Dedicated to Leawood’s sister city relationship with Israel’s Gezer Region, Gezer Park is a 10-acre park featuring a range of amenities to enjoy outdoors. Find the park at 133rd and Mission Road, then enjoy the walking trail or playground, or relax in one of the two shelters. The park also includes a Havdalah garden and ceremonial fire pit as well as two pieces of public art, known as “Stones and Steps” and “Harvest Tablet”.
I-Lan Park
I-Lan Park is dedicated to another sister city relationship Leawood has, this one with I-Lan in Taiwan. These 10 acres boast a shelter pavilion with restrooms, another shelter with a grill, an open play space, and a playground. The park also includes a public art piece called “Cloud Gate” and boasts a gorgeous Taiwanese garden and pagoda. From I-Lan Park, you can get on a trail connecting on the east to the Leawood trail system and on the west to the Overland Park trail system. You’ll find I-Lan Park at 126th Street and Nall Avenue.
Overland Park
Amesbury Lake Park
Nearby Overland Park offers an abundance of additional parks Leawood locals can enjoy, including Amesbury Lake Park. This 38.7-acre community park provides a place to fish along with a trail ideal for biking or hiking.
Corporate Woods Founders’ Park
Corporate Woods Founders’ Park, another great park close to Leawood in Overland Park, is a 52-acre civic park. Head here for access to the biking and hiking trails and Indian Creek.
Clock Tower Plaza
Overland Park’s Clock Tower Plaza, a special use park in the heart of Downtown Overland Park, is the place to go for community gatherings and special performances. Clock Tower Plaza is also where you’ll find the Overland Park Farmers Market. Stop by with the kids on a Saturday morning to stock up on fresh produce and other local foods the whole family is sure to enjoy.
Cross Creek Park
Cross Creek Park offers yet another outdoor place to visit in Overland Park. The 54.6-acre play park includes biking and hiking trail connections. This is the place to go for a family walk in an area bordering Indian Creek that takes you through vast spaces complete with meadows and woods.
That wraps up Crème de la Crème of Leawood’s list of awesome parks close to home. Does your family have a favorite park we didn’t include? Drop us a line so we can add your go-to local spot!