Overland Park, KS

Located in Johnson County, Overland Park is the second-most populated city in the state of Kansas, with approximately 169,000 residents. This suburb of Kansas City has repeatedly ranked near the top of CNN/Money and Money magazine's lists of 100 Best Cities to Live in the United States. In 2009 BusinessWeek included Overland Park in its Best Places to Raise Your Kids list.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

• The average home or condominium in Overland Park is priced at about $255,000, and apartment rent usually costs about $940 per month.
• Overland Park's Neighborhood Conservation Program works to maintain the character and charm of its neighborhoods and to encourage residents to work together to create and maintain city living.
• The 25-square-block area that is Overland Park's downtown offers a combination of shopping, services, and entertainment. It is made up of more than 250 businesses, townhomes, and condominiums situated on lovely tree-lined streets with access to public transportation.

Popular residential neighborhoods in Overland Park include:

• Bluejacket Street, an artsy, urban neighborhood with mostly single-family established homes and high-rise apartments. The neighborhood is made up of both renters and homeowners.
• The Morse area, a suburban neighborhood with many newly built midsize homes. This quiet neighborhood also includes some historic properties. Many residents are executives and professionals.

Other popular areas of Overland Park include Switzer Road, Mission Road, Indian Creek Parkway, Lowell Avenue, Antioch Road, and Nieman Road. Prices for homes in these areas range from approximately $253,000 to $382,000.

The Overland Park Governing Body has recently adopted a plan to revitalize Metcalf Avenue, one of the city's major north-south roadways, with a new shopping center, public park, and expanded office space, with the surrounding area being developed as residential space for young professionals.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The largest employer in Overland Park is Sprint Nextel Corporation. Overland Park is also the headquarters of Applebee's, Black & Veatch, Embarq, and YRC Worldwide.

BEST BETS

• Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens was established to promote awareness of ecological and environmental issues. It features 300 acres of botanical gardens and hiking trails and approximately 200 species of birds and 75 species of trees. There are plans to create a number of additional gardens, including a rose garden, training garden, various home gardens, and a wedding green.
• Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead features 12 acres of family-oriented activities and entertainment. The site was created to look like a turn-of-the-century farm, and it includes a petting zoo, silo with slides, Native American encampment, farmhouse, and gardens.
• Since opening in 1991, Carlsen Center has been recognized as one of the Midwest's best performing arts halls. The center is part of the Johnson City Community College grounds in Overland Park. Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, which is also part of the Johnson City Community College campus, features 16 exhibitions each year by international, national, and regional artists.
• Overland Park Soccer Complex is a new park set to open in the fall of 2009. It will feature 12 tournament-quality turf fields that can be lighted for night games and practices. The building will be multifunctional and have concession stands throughout.
• Saint Andrews Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course that features a driving range and three practice putting and chipping greens.
• Kansas City Curling Club was founded in 1987 to promote the sport of curling in the Overland Park area. Events and programs are held throughout the year.

EDUCATION

• Johnson County Community College is among the largest schools in the state of Kansas, offering students a beautiful park-like setting on 234 acres.
• Ottawa University-Kansas City, a private four-year college, was founded in 1865. It has four campuses around the world, including a lovely campus of stately buildings and beautiful grounds in the heart of Overland Park, which opened in 1971.
• Wright Business School has one of its three campus locations in Overland Park. The original school was founded in 1921 and expanded in 1982. The school offers students a pleasant place to learn in a modern and open setting.

LOCAL MEDIA

Overland Park is home to Sun Publications, which publishes 13 newspapers including the Johnson County Sun, a daily paper covering local and national news. The Kansas City Star is also distributed in Overland Park, and publishes a weekly section devoted to Johnson County news and events.

One radio station, KCCV 760 AM, broadcasts from Overland Park and offers a Christian music and talk format.

Local television stations broadcast out of Kansas City.