Shawnee Mission Park - Shelter 10

    Well, well, well. What do we have here? You’ve reached it. My favorite park so far, mainly because this is the first one I’ve visited, but we don’t need to get into that right now, Shawnee Mission Park! Because Shawnee Mission Park is so large, I will likely use a few different areas to judge. I am starting us out, though, with good ol’ Shelter 10! Not far from the entrance off Renner Road, Shelter 10 has much to offer, mostly trees, but that’s what we’re here for!

    Starting us off is going to be Ease of Access. Situated less than a mile into the park from the entrance mentioned above, it doesn’t take long to arrive. The downside to Shelter 10 is it may be easy to miss while driving on the main road, as the parking lot is situated at the bottom of a hill. If you don’t pass it the first time as I did, you will do fine. Once you park in the reasonably large parking lot, there is an excellent path that will lead you to the dense trees. I’ll officially give it 4/5 Hammocks.

    Moving along, we have Size/Tree Density. Shelter 10 has so many trees. Just LOOK at these fantastic pictures! The trees are a perfect size, too, big enough to support two grown adults in a single hammock and yet just small enough for me to wrap my hands around it to hand my straps. With so many trees, it would be heartbreaking to do anything less than 5/5 Hammocks.

    Considering Tree Density, Potential Company will have no trouble finding a place to hang out. Even if your friend doesn’t have a hammock and you don’t feel like sharing, they can still tag along! A picnic bench is with the trees, and the actual shelter is next to the path. Potential Company ranks 5/5 Hammocks. Your friends will have no excuse to join you.

    Does it even need to be said? Well, I guess not said, but typed?! Of course it does! This place is beautiful! The scenery is exactly what you want when hanging out! So many trees mean so much shade. With a playground nearby, the sound of screaming children is the only displeasing element of Shelter 10. Scenery is awarded a very solid 4/5 Hammocks.

    Finally, we come to my Overall standings. I had such an enjoyable time visiting Shelter 10 that you must stop reading this blog immediately and immerse yourself in this miniature forest! I have nothing negative to even think of trying to say about this park. If you are worried about hearing the screams of nearby children, bring some headphones or a speaker to share with friends. If you are concerned about needing to use the restroom, there is one in the parking lot AND a port-a-potty. Overall scores 5/5.

    Our Final score comes to 4.6/5. With the fantastic magic of rounding, though, we’ll call it a 5/5. Regardless of how you care to do your math, be sure to check back in because I am only beginning to get comfortable. Just Hanging Out. 

Introduction to Hammocking

    Good morning, good afternoon, good evening! No matter what time you read this, welcome to my blog, Just Hanging Out. Join me as we go through the wonderful outdoors of Johnson County, Kansas. Suppose you choose to join me as I visit some lovely parks in the area this summer. In that case, I will be ranking the parks based on the following: Size/Tree Density, Ease of Access, Potential Company, Scenery, and Quality, with an average Final Score.

     Size/Tree Density will refer to the size of the actual area. How many trees are nearby? Are there plenty of options to be at? If there are only a few trees to work with, how can you keep things interesting if you want to return? Ease of Access considers how easy/hard it is to get to the actual trees. Is there a path? If it rained recently, will you be able to still get to your trees? Although sometimes it might be fun to go for a hike and end up at a place with perfect trees, it might not be worth it if it is hard to get to. Potential Company will be scored similarly to Size/Tree Density. How many friends can you bring along? Is there enough parking if you drive separately? If you want to bring some company with you, you will need a lot of trees. Scenery is as simple as that. How scenic is the surrounding area? How lovely is the view while lying in your hammock? Without good scenery, it might not even be worth going out. Finally, we end with Quality. Quality will be referring to the park. Is there anything interesting nearby? Can you go without a hammock too? Sometimes you find a perfect place to hang out in the great outdoors and cannot seem to set up a hammock. Quality takes this into account. After every category has been scored, they will be added up, and the park will be given an average Final Score.

     If this sounds as interesting to you as it does to me, then check back in while I am outside. Just Hanging Out.