Many of us have been cooped up inside for many months due to COVID-19 and various restrictions. You may be looking for something fun to do outside that will allow you to socially distance yourself from others, but will still provide some much-needed outdoor entertainment. These three best spots for outdoor activities near Junction City, Kansas definitely will meet your needs.
Central Riverside Park
This park is located right in Wichita, along with two other parks that form the Riverside Park System that lines the Arkansas River. Of the three parks, Central Riverside, South Riverside, and Oak, Central Riverside offers the most activities within its boundaries. There are three giant playgrounds for kids, an interactive fountain and splash park, a wildlife exhibit, and even a solar calendar!
In the summer months, there is an open-air theater that offers a variety of theatrical productions, including performances of Shakespeare in the Park. The walking path around the park will take you past various historical statues and buildings that offer a timeline of Wichita history. There are also many trees in the park, making it a nice place to have a picnic or just to sit and relax for a while after playing hard in the park.
Botanica
Botanica is a collection of 26 botanical gardens spread over nine acres of land, and is located in Wichita. Each garden is a different theme, with some of the most popular gardens being the Butterfly Garden, the Chinese Garden, the Shakespearean Garden, the Train Garden, the Sensory Garden, the Woodland Bird Garden, Wildflower Meadow, and the relatively new Children’s Garden.
There are also more than 30 bronze statues and fountains situated throughout the gardens to enhance the already-stunning botanical environment. In the spring, you can enjoy the largest tulip display in Kansas, while in the summer, you can stroll through the Butterfly House and enjoy a variety of butterfly species. In the fall, take in the splendor of the Chrysanthemum Display and wonder at all the twinkling lights making the gardens glow during the holidays.
Sedgwick County Park
Located in northwest Wichita, Sedgwick County Park is a very large park that encompasses four lakes, over four miles of walking and biking paths, basketball and tennis courts, enclosed and open shelters, and much more. The lakes are open for fishing and you can even spend some time feeding the geese and ducks. There is a four-fish limit per person per day, but the park prefers you to catch and release if they are small.
For people who enjoy photo opportunities, the newest section of the park, Memories Park, has several unique posing places such as a giant Adirondack chair, a bicycle built for two, a vintage truck, and a hay wagon. These props offer a fantastic way to get a group photo if you’re celebrating an event in the park. You certainly won’t soon forget the time you spent at Sedgwick County Park!
Kansas is really a haven for people who love to be outside. There are so many things to do in the cities itself, let alone the surrounding areas. The three places mentioned here will get you started as you make up for the time that you’ve spent indoors during the past few months. Call Valor Ford to get driving directions to these three fantastic places, or speak with our awesome salespeople for more outdoor suggestions.
Image via pexels.com.
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