Seniors Enjoy Another ‘Best Place’

Overland Park, roughly 13 miles south-southwest of downtown Kansas City, is packed with a plethora of fun things for seniors to see and do. The city motto reads “Above And Beyond. By Design.”

The local Chamber notes that Overland Park is frequently distinguished with national awards in business and quality of life rankings.  In the past 6 years it has received rankings in the “Best Places to Live” and the  Best Places to Grow Up” in America. It also received rankings on “America’s 25 Best Places to Move” and “America’s Best Affordable Places to Retire.” That’s quite impressive, n’est-ce pas?

Overland Park traces its roots to 1905, with the arrival of its founder, Wm B. Strang Jr, who plotted subdivisions along a military roadway on 600 acres he purchased that are now part of the old downtown area.

One of those subdivisions was named Overland Park. This was the site for the first airplane flight west of the Mississippi with shows by the Wright brothers, sponsored by Strang, on December 24, 1909.

The service sector constitutes most of the local economy. Health care, retail trade, professional and technical services, finance and insurance, and information technology are the city’s five largest industries. More than 40 companies have their corporate headquarters in Overland Park.

Seniors Enjoy Thriving Downtown

The 25 square-block area that forms Downtown is home to more than 250 businesses, including everything from art galleries to attorneys and restaurants to automotive services. The new Matt Ross Community Center is a state-of-the-art fitness and community facility.

 TripAdvisor suggests that seniors visit the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, a major draw to the city.  Old Town Overland Park is also a a lot of fun just for strolling. The old buildings have for the most part been preserved, but a large fire about 2007 caused total damage to some old structures, now rebuilt with more modern styles.

Senior visitors will find an impressive  Farmers Market in warmer months and bands and events in the square by the clock tower.

Held at the Santa Fe Commons Park, the Overland Park Fall Festival is a popular annual event that features Johnson County’s best arts and crafts fair. The Theater in the Park takes place at Shawnee Mission Park’s outdoor amphitheater, which seats up to 4,500.

 Overland Park  offers an abundance of attractions for senior travelers. Enjoy your drive through Kansas and your stop in Overland Park.  -jeb