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Places to Go - Recreation

Hiking, biking, picnics, fishing, athletics, interpretive programs and other recreational activities are plentiful in Independence. In addition to the City of Independence's 40 parks, which encompass more than 800 acres, the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department also operates 16 additional parks that provide a wide range of options for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the entire year.

Independence offers a wide variety of playground areas, picnic facilities, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, tennis courts, walking trails and recreation programs. McCoy Park, located immediately south of the Truman Library, is an extremely popular park site; and the George Owens Nature Park, at 1601 Speck Road, offers fishing lakes, nature center, picnic pavilion, and hiking trails throughout its 85 acres. Waterfront Park, 4501 S. Bass Pro Drive, features a 70-foot waterfall, 18-acre lake, ¼-mile loop trail, playground, fishing pier and restrooms. Once again, Independence was awarded the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City USA award for its various tree betterment efforts.

Community residents approved a one-quarter cent sales tax that provided for the enhancement of the city's parks and recreation facilities, programs and services. The measure allowed for the renovation of the historic Palmer School facility into a senior adult recreation center in early 2004. A new family aquatics center, Adventure Oasis Water Park at 2100 Hub Drive, features a 900-foot lazy river, 25-yard lap pool with diving area, three waterslides, an interactive family pool, spacious sun decks, and a concession/dining area. (816) 325-7843.

The tax also provided for the implementation of water playground areas at two neighborhood parks, development of the 14-mile Rock Creek multi-use trail, and the construction of the new multi-field sports complex on Salisbury Road.

With the renovation of the historic Truman Memorial Building, Independence citizens now have a spectacular multi-purpose facility for special events and performing and cultural arts activities. Originally built in 1926 with funds raised by World War I veterans, the building stands as a living memorial to all local veterans. For information concerning this and other available facilities, contact the Independence Parks and Recreation Department at (816) 325-7370, or visitwww.independence.org/parksandrec.

The Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department (816-795-8200), operates four reservoirs providing a total of more than 3,000 water acres at Lake Jacomo, Longview Lake, Blue Springs Reservoir, and Prairie Lee Lake. The department also operates the 14-mile Little Blue Trace Hiking and Biking Trail. The trail begins at Missouri 78 Park and ends at Blue Mills Park, north of U.S. 24 on Blue Mills Road.www.jacksongov.org

The James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area (816-524-1656) offers more than 2,500 acres and activities ranging from bird watching and fishing to horseback riding. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center (228-3766) is a state-operated, 1,066-acre nature area complete with four trails, a nature center, large aquarium and picnic areas.www.mdc.mo.gov

Independence is home to four public golf courses, and is within a ten-mile drive of eight other courses.