Carpool to Kearney for a 5-Mile Walk
May 10 - 10am

We will walk a 5-mile loop of Kearney’s South Campus walking trail Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. This trail is fully paved and fairly level as we go through open areas, some housing and along the Fishing River. Carpool: McDonald’s located on Hwy 152 just west of I-35, leaving at 9:15. Walk starts at 10 a.m. from: Community Covenant Church on the corner of Jefferson and 19th Street

Directions: Take I-35 North to the Kearney exit for 92 Highway, turn East (right) onto 92 (6th St). Take 6th Street to Hwy 33 (Jefferson), turn South (right) taking Jefferson to 19th Street.

Lunch: Afterwards, we will have lunch in Kearney at La Fuentes Mexican Restaurant; 105 S. Jefferson, 816-903-9922.

Contact: Dorene at 816.506.0058

Bike Smithville Lake’s Anita Gorman Trail
May 11 - 1pm

Celebrate Mother's Day with a ride along the southern shore of Smithville Lake. This is a very easy out and back ride. Beginners and hikers are welcome too. If you need assistance inflating your tires or adjusting your seat, please arrive early. This paved trail is about 9 miles one way but you can return at any point. We'll eat in Smithville afterwards.

Directions: Take Hwy 169 North to Smithville, MO, turn East onto MO 92 for 6 miles. Turn North on E street for 3 miles and take the right turn on Collins at the park sign for Camp Branch. After 1 mile, turn into the Anita B. Gorman Hiking Trail and Prairie Restoration Area to park (there is a large park sign on the left).

Contact: Jackie at jjohnson31@kc.rr.com or 816.420.9777

Weekday Walk at Stoll Park
May 13 - 9:30am

Stoll Park is just west of 119th and Quivira on the North side of 119th. This will be an easy 2-3 mile walk. We might walk through the college campus (JCCC) as they have nice plantings and sculptures.

Contact: Lynda at 913.469.4361 or lyndon@kcnet.com

Photography Outing
May 17 - 9am

Meet at the Loose Park pavilion on Wornall Road for this fun photo event to observe and celebrate spring's majesty! This outing is designed for any level photographer with any type of camera; please come and explore Loose Park's diversified landscape. We'll spend a few hours there, break for lunch at a restaurant nearby, then head a few blocks east early afternoon to experience Kauffman Gardens.

Contact: Joy at joym@unicom.net or 913.488.7180

Olathe Prairie Center Hike
May 18 - 10:30am

The Prairie Center is a protected tallgrass area that is a quiet and peaceful, open area ideal for an easy hike. The sections we will traverse are mostly mowed grass with a few short rocky or gravel sections. We will stop at a shelter/rest room area after the first fifth of the hike and continue on to the end from there. The distance will be a bit over 4 miles. Following the hike we may eat at a nearby restaurant if there is sufficient interest.

Directions: from central KC, go southeast on I-35 until you get to the Olathe Santa Fe exit (also called 135th street) and head west on Santa Fe. After about 5 miles you will come to Cedar Niles Road where you will see a stone house at the corner. Turn left and park in the gravel parking lot just south of the stone house visitor center. Be sure to bring water as it is not available at the park.

Contact: Tom at 913.383.9351

Hike Fox Hollow Nature Trail at Lakeside Nature Center
May 31 - 10am

Nestled in the valley behind the Lakeside Nature Center, the trail meanders along limestone bluffs, beside the scenic Fox Hollow Creek. Expect to hike for 1.5 hours through old riparian forest while exploring the deep, primitive, wetland valley. Expect inclines. Bring a sack lunch for a picnic afterward.

Lakeside Nature Center is located east of U.S. 71 in Swope Park at 4701 East Gregory Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64132. Save some time to walk through the Nature Center before or after your hike. Boots are recommended. Bring water, snacks and lunch. Wear insect repellent.

Contact: Lee at 816.361.7073

Weekday Walk at Indian Creek
June 3 - 9:00am

Meet at Quivira and 119th. The park is a small area on the SE corner of the intersection reached by going south on Quivira past 119th and making the first left turn into the park. This will be an easy, leisurely paced, 2-3 mile walk along Indian Creek.

Contact: Lynda at 913.469.4361 or lyndon@kcnet.com

LAST CALL! Day trip on the Kaw River
June 21 - 9am

Kick off summer with a 10-mile float down the Kansas River. The Kansas River is normally a gentle, scenic float and a great place to learn paddling skills. Friends of the Kaw will provide a guide, provide necessary equipment and shuttles. They start us off with a safety talk and basic paddling instruction. We'll stop mid way and roast hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire while enjoying a "sandbar seminar" on the river.

We have nearly met the minimum of 16 people (8 canoes) They will take a maximum of 28 (or 14 canoes). To participate, mail a check for $30 made out to KCOC. You may cancel before June 1. After that date, you may send a replacement, or consider your check a donation to Friends of the Kaw. The likely route will be from Cedar Creek to Edwardsville. This will be a full day, carpooling at 8:30 a.m. and likely returning around 4 p.m. Friends of the Kaw will proceed in the event of light rain, but will reschedule if lightening and heavy rain threatens. Please request the mailing address for your payment via email to kcocnews@hotmail.com.

Contact: kcocnews@hotmail.com

KCOC Annual Picnic
June 22 - 3pm

This year, the annual picnic will be held at Antioch Park in Johnson County. We have reserved Shelter #4. Please bring a dish to share and $2 to cover the cost of the shelter, tableware and beverages. The park has lovely gardens and a paved walking trail of about a mile.

Antioch park is just south of Shawnee Mission Parkway on Antioch Rd at 65th street. (West of Metcalf and east of I-35.) Shelter #4 is accessed via the north entrance on 65th street.

Contact: Carol at muehlbergerc@yahoo.com