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Stems: A Garden Soiree

Our Mission

Dedicated to making Overland Park the best possible place to live and work and play, the Arts and Recreation Foundation’s projects and programs strive to enrich the community by providing cultural and recreational enhancements to city facilities, property and programs. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions as allowed by law. Purposes (download pdf)

To achieve its goals, the Foundation sponsors three Friends organizations, each focusing on one of Overland Park’s outstanding cultural and recreational amenities:

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
The Arts in Overland Park

Our History

The Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park was incorporated in 1995. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised funds and accepted donations for capital improvements at the Arboretum and Farmstead and for the city’s Master Plan for Public Art. The list of projects fully or partially funded by contributions to the Foundation is impressive:
At the Arboretum:
Ailie’s Glade Byrd’s Grove Cohen Iris Garden Environmental Education Visitors Center Erickson Water Garden	Greenhouse Marder Woodland Garden Monet Garden Rotary Children’s Garden
At the Farmstead:
Audio domes and Braille signage Beverly’s Butterfly Garden Country School House Dairy Barn Fishing Pond Georgia’s Chicken Coop	Kanza Indian Encampment Prairie Pavilion Repose Garden Rotary Prairie Playground Windmill
Public Art:
"A Great Place to Land" sculpture by Gary Kahle at Santa Fe and Conser in Downtown Overland Park "Converge" sculpture by Steven Richardson at the Overland Park Convention Center	Statue of William Strang, founder of Overland Park, by Kwan Wu at 80th and Santa Fe in Downtown Overland Park The Eilert Fountain in Founders Park at Corporate Woods