The ALI at Shawnee Mission Park

This summer, the ALI will hold our annual summer/lake picnic on July 16, 2021 at Shawnee Mission Park. This is the first summer we will hold the activity at this park, so we are excited to see how it goes. Keep reading to learn about the park and what you can do at the picnic.

Shawnee Mission Park is located in Shawnee, KS, which is about 40 minutes from the ALI at UMKC. It is just west of Interstate 435 and north of Lenexa City Center. There are several shops and restaurants nearby that our students, faculty, staff, and other guests can visit to find food for our picnic. You can get to them by turning south on Renner Blvd when you exit the park and heading toward 87th Street Parkway.

The park is the largest park in Johnson County, KS and is home to a 120-acre lake where visitors can boat, swim, sail board, and fish. There are three playgrounds, an off-leash dog park (with it’s own beach!), nature trails, mountain bike trails, bike rentals, an archery range, picnic shelters, and more. It’s a great place to visit with friends and family!

The ALI has reserved a shelter on the north shore of the lake, which is close to the marina (where students can rent boats) and the swimming beach. It is also close to the trailhead of a paved walking path and an “easy” mountain bike trail. Students, faculty, and staff can easily walk to the other side of the lake to reach the unpaved walking trails on the south shore.

The Marina is where students can rent kayaks, paddle boards, pedal boats, and canoes. All boat rentals can be done online, but you will need to create a Johnson County Parks and Recreation District online account. If you plan to visit parks in the Johnson County area often during the summer, it’s a good idea to create an account. If you not want to create an online do account, you can make a reservation in person – at least 30 minutes prior to reservation/rental time.

To rent a boat, you must meet the following requirements:

1. 12 years or older
2. Provide a photo ID (state license, passport, etc.)
3. Bring your reservation receipt (if you made your reservation online)
4. No refunds

You can rent a boat for 1 hour at a time. The boat rental rate for all Johnson County residents is $20.00. The rate for non-residents is $22. Below is a list of boats available for rent.

• Kayak – single person kayak
• Stand-Up Paddle Board – single person board
• Pedal Boat – 2-4-person boat
• Canoe – 1-4 person boat

Some rules to follow while you are using your boat are:

1. Obey the Marina staff
2. Wear a life jacket at all times
3. Stay away from the Swim Beach
4. No pets
5. Do not leave your boat to swim in the lake
6. No fishing in a boat
7. Coolers or food are not allowed in the boat
8. Do not bump into other boats on purpose
9. You are allowed to bring your own boat if you have one (no motorized boats)

The Shawnee Mission Park Beach includes a swim beach, sand volleyball court, shaded concession area, and restrooms. The beach is open from 12pm to 6pm daily. You do not need to make a reservation to use the beach. However, it does cost money to get into the Swim Beach. The costs are listed below.

Johnson County Residents:

• 12-years and under = $4
• 13 – 59-years old = $6
• 60-years and older = $4

Non-residents

• 12-years and under = $4.50
• 13 – 59-years old = $6.50
• 60-years and older = $4.50

Some rules you need to follow while at the beach are:

1. Obey the lifeguards and staff
2. Pets are not allowed on this beach
3. You can bring your own food and drink, but no glass or alcohol
4. You may bring chairs and umbrellas for shade
5. No rafts or inflatables
6. US Coast Guard approved flotation devices are allowed

We hope our students, faculty, and staff are able to join us on July 16, for our picnic. If you can’t attend, we recommend that you check out the park another day with your family and friends. It’s a great place to visit and spend the day. There’s something for everyone at Shawnee Mission Park!