Virus keeps us home — or in the great outdoors in JoCo parks
Cabin fever? Many parks still open for hiking
So what can we do with so much of Johnson County shut down to stop the spread of the sometimes deadly coronavirus?
The answer: Hunker down at home with books, television, calisthenics, hobbies and household projects — or go outdoors for exercise and fresh air.
So much else has been shut down: schools, libraries, theaters, Johnson County Community College, all but critical child care services at the Jewish Community Center, the Shawnee Mission School District Aquatic Center in Lenexa — and many municipal community centers, including those in Overland Park, Lenexa, Merriam, Mission and Olathe.
No lingering in restaurants, bars or coffee shops — takeout, delivery and drive-thru only. No visits to the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm in Olathe, the Shawnee Town 1929 Town Hall and Museum or the Johnson County Museum and the rest of the Arts & Heritage Center in Overland Park. Many court dates have been postponed, and many city halls closed to the public while officials were conducting business by phone or online.
”I see more at-home meals in all our futures … So from my kitchen to yours, stay well,” Westwood Hills Mayor Paula Schwach said in a statement.
The Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead pushed back its opening day, originally April 1, until at least April 11. But as of March 18, many parks countywide and the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens were open, though not for events and activities.
“As you make decisions that are best for your family, please know we do not disinfect playground equipment in our public parks on a daily basis,” the city of Shawnee said in a news release. “We know many of you are wanting to get outside and get some fresh air, so we would encourage you to continue to use any of our trails for biking, hiking or walking. We just recommend you follow the social distancing guidelines.”
On March 18, Johnson County officials established a coronovirus hotline that is answering people’s questions from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The number is 913-715-2819.
Meanwhile, private individuals and organizations were stepping up to help those who are hurting financially.
The Jewish Community Center, for example, was continuing to pay employees during the initial shutdown by providing opportunities for them to work.
And Roeland Park announced a food drive for those in need at the Roeland Park United Methodist Church. Canned goods and other non-perishable items could be dropped off between 8 a.m and 2 p.m. March 20, 23 and 25 at the west entrance of the church, 5110 Cedar St.
The items will be distributed to those in need from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 27.
“This is a non-governmental service available to all in our Roeland Park community, regardless of citizenship status,” the city said. “No identification is required. Please practice social-distancing when dropping off or picking up donations.”
Find a list of requested foods and a link for monetary donations through the COVID-19 update at roelandpark.net.
Those ‘flushable’ wipes really aren’t
If you’re out of toilet paper, which has been in short supply during the coronavirus crisis, disinfecting wipes are an alternative.
But Olathe officials beg you: Don’t flush ‘em, even if the label says you can.
“Despite being labeled as ‘flushable,’ these types of products wreak havoc on waste systems, causing costly sewage back-ups,” the city said in a news release, noting that the flushing of wipes has appeared to increase during the nationwide shortage.
All wipes and personal hygiene products should go into the trash, the city said.
Overland Park will continue exploring U.S. 69 tolls
Based on its initial evaluation of the idea, Overland Park is supporting the continued exploration of building toll lanes on U.S. 69 south of 103rd Street. If the idea comes to fruition, drivers would pay extra to drive on faster-moving express lanes running down the center of an overhauled U.S. 69.
A “pre-planning analysis” looked at two scenarios and found that in both cases, the tolls would cover the cost of collecting the money and the upkeep and replacement of the roadside toll systems.
The analysis looked at two possibilities:
▪ Adding an express toll lane in each direction from 103rd to 179th streets: The construction would cost $565 million in 2025 dollars, compared to $547 million for the toll-free option. The 30-year operating/maintenance costs would amount to $266 million in 2025 dollars, while gross revenues would come in at $504 million.
▪ Adding the two express toll lanes only as far south as 151st Street: The construction cost would be significantly lower, at $299 million compared to $258 million for the toll-free option. The ongoing 30-year costs would be $192 million, with gross revenues of $435 million.
At this point, according to the analysis, the shorter project appears to be more viable initially, with 30-year net revenues of $243 million, versus $238 million for the longer project. It’s believed that tolls also could cover part of the construction cost if express lanes go only to 151st Street.
The city said Mayor Carl Gerlach was to inform the Kansas Department of Transportation that the city would pay up to $100,000 for the next study. KDOT would pay the rest of the cost, estimated at $1 million to $1.2 million.
It’s time to be counted
Johnson County and its cities are urging all members of the community to participate in the 2020 Census by April 1.
Residents have received initial mailings that will enable them to go online to fill out the Census form, which takes about 10 minutes. It’s important to be counted, officials say, because all kinds of government funding is based on a city or county’s population.
“The results will also help draw congressional and state legislative districts, as well as determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Olathe officials said in a news release.
Other options are available for those who don’t want to go online.
New at AdventHealth
As the AdventHealth system expands on the Kansas side of area, it has announced a number of developments in recent weeks:
▪ Michael Knecht has been named president for AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, providing executive leadership and oversight for all aspects of the Merriam hospital. Sam Huenergardt will continue as CEO of the Mid-America region, with Karsten Randolph continuing as executive vice president and regional chief financial officer. Both will focus on the growing regional system.
▪ AdventHealth College Boulevard has opened on the southeast corner of College Boulevard and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park. The campus, which is generating 25 new jobs initially, includes AdventHealth’s fourth 24/7 emergency department in Johnson County.
▪ Recruitment of doctors has begun for AdventHealth South Overland Park, which is expanding to become a new hospital opening late next year at 165th Street and Antioch Road in the BluHawk development. Leading the effort is Mick Allision, who is returning to the AdventHealth system to become director, physician network at AdventHealth South Overland Park.
The system also includes AdventHealth Lenexa, AdventHealth Ottawa and a future campus in Lenexa City Center.
Merriam now working with Shawnee animal shelter
The Merriam Police Department recently announced a partnership with Melissa’s Menagerie’s Second Chances to reunite lost dogs with their owners.
If you find a dog in Merriam, contact the police department at 913-322-5560 during business hours or call the dispatch center at 913-782-0720 after hours. If you’ve lost a dog in Merriam, call Melissa’s Menagerie’s Second Chances at 913-364-1822.
Merriam police will not accept stray cats for impoundment, but officers can help people find the owner.
According to its website, the Shawnee-based Melissa’s Menagerie’s Second Chances is a nonprofit shelter that “strives to help find homes and refuge for animals in need of a second chance.”
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 12:10 AM with the headline "Virus keeps us home — or in the great outdoors in JoCo parks."