Prairie Center Park

History and Location

Positioned in Olathe, Kansas, Prairie Center Park spans a generous 68 acres of community-friendly space where there's a little something for everyone. Dating back to 1981 with a growth spurt in 1995, this park sits conveniently near Olathe West High School. The grounds offer a good mix of open spaces for play and structured areas for recreation.

Sports Facilities

For sports enthusiasts, The park houses eight lighted baseball fields where you can catch little league games and tournaments throughout the season. Six soccer fields come alive on weekends with matches and practices - just expect a bit of a crowd during peak times.

The park also features an 18-hole disc golf course. Winding through mature trees, the course offers both concrete and grass tees to accommodate players of all skill levels. You'll face some interesting challenges here: wooded sections, dog legs, elevation changes, and various obstacles keep things interesting. Just a heads-up - some holes border a small lake, so you might want to bring backup discs if your throws tend to get a little wild!

There are also basketball courts available for when you feel like shooting some hoops or challenging friends to a pickup game.

Trails and Recreation

Need to get your steps in? The park features a 0.9-mile pedestrian trail that's well-suited for a brisk morning walk or a leisurely afternoon stroll. This trail connects to the neighboring Ernie Miller Park, giving you extended options to explore wooded areas. Cyclists haven't been forgotten either - a bike trail runs through the park, connecting to Olathe's broader trail network.

Playgrounds and Picnic Areas

Kids have plenty of room to burn energy at two playground structures designed with different age groups in mind. The smaller playground works perfectly for toddlers taking their first adventure steps, while the larger one offers more exciting slides and equipment for older children. A nice touch is the turf surfacing - no more muddy clothes after rainy day play!

Planning a get-together? Several picnic areas with tables and shelters make this park ideal for family reunions, baby showers, or your little one's birthday bash. They're conveniently positioned near the playgrounds, so you can keep an eye on the kids while enjoying your outdoor meal.

Amenities and Accessibility

You can find three clean restroom facilities throughout the grounds - a practical necessity for longer visits, but note they typically close during winter months. Near the baseball fields, there's a concession stand that operates seasonally when games are in full swing.

Dog parents will be happy to know the park is dog-friendly, but your furry friends need to stay leashed, and you'll need to clean up after them. Recent expansions have added 185 new parking spaces, which helps, but parking can still get tight when multiple games are happening at once.

Recent Improvements

A recent $2.2 million investment has funded several upgrades to the park. New pickleball courts have been added, the baseball fields have been renovated, and the additional parking spaces mentioned earlier have improved access.

Prairie Center Park offers a mix of athletic facilities, natural spaces, and family-friendly areas for Olathe residents.