By Kari Baesel

Every May, communities across the nation come together to celebrate Older Americans Month, a time to honor the contributions, resilience and achievements of older adults. This annual observance highlights the importance of supporting older adults in leading independent, fulfilling lives through engagement, connection and wellness.

At Johnson County Park and Recreation District, we are dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for older adults to stay active, expand their skills and build lasting connections.

The 50 Plus Department offers a diverse array of enriching programs, events and trips throughout the year, ensuring participants remain engaged, socially connected and continually learning. For Older Americans Month, the department is partnering with the Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County to offer free drop-in programs, classes and events for older residents.

Activities include:

• A Park Walking Tour with the Park Manager at 10:30 a.m. May 9 at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse. This engaging experience allows the opportunity to explore the beauty of nature while learning about the vital role trees play in the ecosystem. The tour ends with a tree-planting activity.
• Beginning Birding to enhance birdwatching skills at 10:30 a.m. May 16 also at Meadowbrook Park Clubhouse. This informative session will teach the basics of bird identification followed by a guided walk to observe birds in their natural habitat.
• A Rock & Roll Social to celebrate the joy of music at 2 p.m. May 15 at the Roeland Park Community Center. A lively afternoon of live acoustic music features classic hits from the 1950s to 2000s along with refreshments and great company.
• A Balance & Beats Fitness Showcase at 11 a.m. May 21 also at Roeland Park Community Center. This high-energy fitness session includes Zumba, tai chi and yoga, offering a fun and exciting way to stay active and explore new forms of movement.
• A Pickleball & Bites program at 11 a.m. May 22 at the New Century Fieldhouse. After an invigorating game of drop-in pickleball, participants are encouraged to stick around to mingle with fellow players while enjoying complimentary snacks and drinks.

We encourage you to take advantage of these free opportunities to connect with others, discover new interests and celebrate the joy of active aging. The Foundation works with JCPRD to reduce financial barriers for participation in programing and raises funds to build capacity for future initiatives.

To learn more about the Foundation or to make a financial contribution to aid its mission, visit jcprdfoundation.org.

For more information on all free events available during Older Americans Month, to select and register for events or to sign up for our e-newsletter, visit jcprd.com/50plus.

Kari Baesel is manager of the 50 Plus Department at the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.