Wilderness Lake Park

I caught a lot of catfish there

Absolutely gorgeous park. I explored only the trails around the south lake, and plan to visit the north lake in the future. On these trails, you feel much closer to nature than at most other urban or suburban parks in the KC area. Heading north on the trail on the east side of the lake, you can look through the forest on your right and see the Blue River and its valley, complete with lots of deer. Then to your left is the lake and its wetlands with the neighborhood behind it. On a cold winter evening, the trails were nearly empty.

However, although this place may give you a sense of calm and privacy, the residents of this community are maybe a little too protective of their "privacy". Although this a public park maintained by the city of OP, there is no dedicated parking lot, clearly so these residents can feel that extra little sensation of "safety". And I guess I challenged that precarious ideal of safety for one lady by parking in the empty parking lot for the community pool at 163rd and Ash, for 30 minutes during daylight hours, because it had direct access to the trails. I went for my run and returned to find a Lexus idling on the street nearby, presumably watching me. I took a few minutes to charge my phone in my car before I left, and they stayed there, rather obviously observing my suspicious presence in their neighborhood. When I exited the parking lot, they followed me out of the neighborhood, then out onto 163rd. To be clear, I'm a teenage white kid who drives a new car and lives in "faraway" Leawood. I don't know how much more I could fit in to the suburban demographic. But still, a paranoid lady believed I was somehow suspicious.

So, I definitely recommend that you go here. The most convenient parking is at 163rd and Ash. Just don't be surprised when someone assumes your presence somehow threatens the privacy or safety of their sheltered lifestyle in "their" neighborhood.

Fantastic, small neighborhood park! Nice walking trail & OP P&R does a good job maintaining the trails & fishing pond.

Clean and well equiped

Nice little lake with frogs and fish. Has nice trail to jog around.