outdoor recreation

For America's 250th anniversary, Independence Day celebrations stretch well beyond the July 4th weekend. From the annual picnic and fireworks show at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, to the parade and Freedom Run in Lenexa, Kansas City has plenty of options for celebrating.

With the World Cup in town, Kansas City is showing off all that it has to offer this summer. Here are the can't-miss events, including Juneteenth, Pride and other annual festivities like the Ethnic Enrichment Festival.

Officials with the Department of Conservation said the pandemic helped many Missourians reconnect with the outdoors. But that has led to significantly more problems with campers at conservation areas since 2020.

"Scenic Natural Wonders of Missouri" includes shut-ins for summertime fun and trails for hiking and dirt bike riding.

There are plenty of outdoor pools opening around the Kansas City this weekend. Here's a guide to swimming pools, splash pads and aquatic centers across the metro.

The roller rink at Blues Park is planned to open in August as part of the “Revive the Vine” plan to beef up amenities in the Historic 18th and Vine District.

Along with his son, 82-year-old Olathe resident Dave McClung became the oldest man to hike to Mount Everest’s base camp, trekking 42 miles over the course of eight days. “I always wanted to be famous, but I didn't know I'd be famous for being old," McClung told KCUR's Up To Date.

Brody’s Boundless Playground at the Blue Valley Rec Sports Complex is part of a national effort to address gaps in accessible recreation. While one in six children in the United States has a developmental or physical disability, fewer than one in five public playgrounds is considered fully inclusive.

Citizen scientists across Missouri are helping researchers document the state’s vast fungal diversity. The findings from this MycoMap could lead to applications ranging from medicine to eco-friendly materials.

John Hayes, 18, nabbed his 140th merit badge in bugling, after already securing badges in activities like cross-country skiing and aviation. He credits STEM programs with shaping his skills as he looks forward to starting college next fall for a pilot degree.

Parks across the state will participate in the "First Day Hikes" program.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 450,000 people in the US have alpha-gal syndrome — a tickborne allergy to red meat — while many others have never heard of the condition at all.