Where in Kansas is...?

Well, friends here we
are on day 15 of the
challenge. We are past
the midway mark. I truly
hope that you have enjoyed
these posts.

Today is O day. We are back
in Kansas looking for it and
we have found Overland
Park.

This city is the next one over
from the city we live in, so we
feel like we live there too.
I work in "OP" and the school
building that I work in is
named Overland Park
Elementary.

It is the 2nd  most populated
city in Kansas and is the
largest suburb in the Kansas
City Metro Area.

Overland Park was founded by
William B Strang Jr. a railroad
magnate in 1905. Mr Strang's
view for the community was
a "park-like", self sustaining
and and well planned areas.
He felt that commerce needed
to be strong as did education,
there needed to be vibrant
places to live, places for
recreation and convenient
transportation.

Mr. Strang sponsored the first
airplane flight west of the Miss-
issippi in 1909.
My school building is located
just east of Downtown OP and
this is an area that has a history
with flight.

In 1960, the city population was
21,110 and in 2012 it was around
178,919 people running around the
city.

There are three school districts in
"OP." The district I work in has 5
high schools the other two have 4
and 5. Each district has many
elementaries and middle schools.
there is one community college
which is the largest undergrad
institution of higher education in
Kansas.

Visitor's coming to Overland
Park may enjoy:

~~Overland Park Arboretum
and Botanical Gardens. There
are over 300 acres of nature
to walk through here.
~~Deanna Rose Children's
Farmstead. It is a 12 acre
park offering over 200
animals, hayrides, a fishing
pond and much more to do
and see. It is a popular
destination for visitors and
residents alike on a weekend
day.
~~Historic Downtown Overland
Park is where it all began. You
will find a variety of shops, rest-
aurants and on Saturdays in the
spring and then also on
Wednesday's in the summer you
will find a spectacular Farmer's
Market!
~~The Nerman Museum-located
on the campus of the community
college. It is a nice size museum
full of great art. They also have a
wonderful cafe.

I/we have been to all of these
places, each has offerings for all
ages. So if you find yourself in
"OP" let me know and we'll make
a day of it.

Tomorrow we are off to find P.

~Keep on Dreaming~