The Arts and Rec Foundation of Overland Park: Supporting Beautiful Community Spaces

It’s a hidden gem that offers acres upon acres of beauty and tranquility for the stressed and overscheduled citizens of the KC metro. It’s the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 8909 West 179th Street.

“Most people in the greater metro region don’t realize that the arboretum exists. It’s beautiful and an absolutely wonderful place to visit that’s right in your backyard. It’s supported by The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park,” noted Jill Grotzinger, development director of the foundation. “We also support the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, which many already know and love. The foundation also funds public art installations and programs for the city.”

The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park began in 1995 to develop and promote the recreational, aesthetic, educational, scientific and cultural potential of the Parks Services and the Recreation Services Departments of Overland Park, Kansas. The foundation has raised money and accepted donations for capital improvements, educational and cultural courses, exhibits and community events for all of these programs.

Creating Areas for Arts and Education
“The Foundation is charged with growing and supporting these three areas, which are an important part of the community,” commented Jill. “A strong arts and recreation program helps the city present a good setting, which results in being consistently identified and recognized as a great place to live, work, play and raise a family.”

Best known in the KC metro is the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, which helps children and their families experience life on a Kansas farm set in the 1900s. “The farm enables kids to reconnect with a different time in Kansas history,” noted Jill. “We have live animals, fishing, exploration, an ice cream parlor and so much more.”

When it comes to public arts, the foundation helps secure artwork for installation throughout Overland Park with funds matched by the city. The foundation works closely with the administration in identifying the sculptures to be installed. Pieces include three-dimensional sculptures, paintings and photography featuring local and national artists.

The Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens brim with natural, environmental beauty. “This is a community gem, a beautiful place to get away from the business of life and reconnect with nature,” stated Jill. “There are many different garden areas, a small visitor center, a series of paved and chipped trails, Chinese sculpture garden and even a train garden.”

Stems: A Garden Soirée
Providing this natural beauty requires a great deal of money, so fundraising is a big part of the Foundation’s work. The most notable one is Stems: A Garden Soirée, set for Saturday, June 24, from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. This is the tenth year the Foundation will host the event, which is titled A Celebration in Full Bloom. Over the years attendance has grown, topping at about 1,700 people.

“Stems: A Garden Soirée is a huge garden party throughout the arboretum, with 25 restaurants along the paths and among the gardens offering small tastings accompanied by fine wines, craft beers and specialty mixed drinks. We’ll have two bands, a caricature artist, balloon artist and more,” remarked Jill. “Everyone will enjoy great food and drink and be entertained in a gorgeous setting while seeing people they know at every turn.”

Jill notes the gathering is far from being a stuffed-shirt, black-tie affair. Dress is very casual; sundresses are the norm and many sport shorts. The event is very accessible to anyone, enjoyable and laid back, but at the same time very classy and beautiful.

Spotlight on Arboretum’s Special Space
This year HERLIFE Magazine is proud to be a Gold Level sponsor of the Stems Soirée. “While we receive so many great requests to sponsor community events, we can’t back them all. However, I believe Stems enhances the quality of life in our community; it’s just one of the events we sponsor with the Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park,” noted Tammy McDonald, owner and publisher of HERLIFE. “The arboretum and botanical gardens are such a beautiful place to visit and spend quality time with friends and family. We want to help spread the word to those who haven’t visited it or don’t visit it very often.”

Tickets to Stems can be purchased from the Foundation’s website. General admission with the early bird rate is $100 and, after June 1, the cost is $125 per person. “We also have Patron Level at $250, which includes a patron party on June 15 at the Doubletree Hotel from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.” shared Jill. “A Patron sponsorship allows you to get in an hour early to the Stems Soirée and access to the patron tent.”

While gardens and a pleasing environment are gorgeous in their natural setting, it takes volunteers and resources to bring them to the masses. That’s why the efforts of The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park are critical to the success of our metro. This work makes it possible for many to discover and explore our community’s hidden gems. ■

Visit the website at artsandrec-op.org or call 913-322-6467.