What Overland Park is known for

The Overland Park Region is named after the second most populated city in Kansas, Overland Park. Overland Park is a spot where many families reside. There are multiple school districts that are well respected, as well as private school options. Cleveland Unitversity, Ottawa University, and University of Kansas are three of the eight colleges within the region.[2] 

The Kansas City Zoo is a popular attraction for families to visit and is located within the region. The zoo has over 200 species and 1,700 animals for guests to see. Animals include the African elephant, addax, African painted dog, Amazon tree boa, Amur leopard, the black-footed cat, and more. The zoo has dining options to keep visitors fueled. Dining options include Tuxedo Grill, Bluey's, Rafiki Restaurant, Boathouse Bar, Safari Snacks, and Beastro Concession. Guests can bring their own food and beverages and eat in the picnic areas of the zoo.[4]

The Union Station in Kansas City is a historic train station with exhibits and interactive displays. The Union Station is known for the intricate architecture of the structure. The Union Station was built in 1914 and has served many purposes throughout the years. Many soldiers traveled through the station during WWII. The station included a barbershop, restaurants, and the nation's largest shipping and mail building. The station was closed in the 1980s but was reopened after its renovation in 1999. Many visiting Kansas City come to experience the history that the station offers. The station also hosts weddings, parties, and other events.[1] Another popular attraction within the region is the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM). The museum is dedicated to celebrating the impact of African-American baseball. There are photos, artifacts, and films to see throughout the museum.[5] 

Worlds Of Fun is an amusement park within the region and has rides, coasters, water parks, and more. Worlds Of Fun is the largest amusement park in the midwest. The park has plenty of thrill rides, rides suitable for children, and rides that the whole family can enjoy. Visitors can be entertained with the various dining options, special events, and shows.[13] Kansas City received 25 million tourists in 2016, breaking a record in Kansas City. April to October are the best months to visit Kansas for ideal weather.[7] A few manufactured products in the area include Ford trucks, Chevrolet Malibu, Buick LaCrosse, and Dawn dish soap.

Geography

The Overland Park Region is placed between Kansas and Missouri. The region is named after Overland Park, which is the second most populated city in Kansas. Kansas City is a famous city within the region and receives many tourists each year. Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, and Warrensburg are a couple of the cities within the region. Blue Springs is the ninth-largest city in Missouri and was named Pioneers, who found ample amounts of water from the Little Blue River.[9] The region has hot and dry summers, from May to September. The average temperature during the summer months is 80 degrees. November to February are the coldest months in the region, usually staying under 50 degrees. The end of March to the end of September are some of the region's wetter months, though the amount of precipitation varies each year. Like precipitation, humidity varies throughout the year, with the end of May to the end of September being the muggiest months of the year.[10] 

The region is home to several plants. The White Hawthorne Blossom is indigenous to Kansas City and is the official state flower of Missouri. The plant can grow up to 20 feet high, feed birds, and make the fruit into jam. The sunflower is the state flower for Kansas and can grow almost anywhere because of the lack of water needed.[11] The region has a vast amount of wildlife, including opossums, nine-banded armadillos, muskrats, beavers, red foxes, cougars, and much more. Plenty of birds, reptiles, and fish reside in the area.[12]

History

The Overland Park Region is the second most populated city in Kansas, following Wichita. William B. Strang Jr. founded the beginning of Overland Park in 1905. William B. Strang Jr. started by building subdivisions, eventually expanding to suburban cities. The area has continued to grow and was voted the "Best city to raise a family" in 2018. Overland Park has received a few different awards for being one of the best cities to live in. Overland Park has a population of 173,372 people. Residents are 84.4% White, 4.3% African American, .3% American Indian, 6.3% Asian, 2.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. The region has a heavy influence on Protestants in the area. The economy is heavily influenced by the health care industry, retail trade, finance and insurance, information technology, and professional and technical services. Some of the top employers in the area include Sprint, the Shawnee Mission School District, and the Johnson County Community College.[2]

Kansas City is another dominant city in the region and is the third-largest city in Kansas. The first election in Kansas City was October 22, 1872, electing James Boyle as the first Mayor. Kansas City saw significant growth in the 1890s and became one of the largest cities from 1890 to 1920. A few of the largest employers in Kansas City are the University of Kansas Hospital, University of Kansas Medical Center, and General Motors Corporation.[3]