It seems the busier and more hectic our day-to-day lives become, the more we need to take a step away and enjoy all the nature, wonder and recreational activities that Labette County has to offer.
Discovering Nature
Breathe in the fresh air and take in all the amazing natural landscape of Labette County, from the Ozark forests in the east and rolling prairies in the west of the county. There’s plenty of adventure and nature experiences with opportunities to hike pathways, ride equestrian trails, hunt, fish, boat, swim, picnic or camp out under the stars.
Ruth Nixon Trail
The Ruth Nixon Trail is on the western shore of Big Hill Lake and lets hikers enjoy wildlife habitats and a scenic overlook.
Bridle Trail at Big Hill Lake
Bridle Trail at Big Hill Lake takes riders on a 17-mile scenic loop around the north part of the lake. The trail also offers limited facilities that can be used for overnight camping by riders.
Tolen Creek Park Trail
Tolen Creek Park is definitely made for nature lovers with a 1.5 mile walking/bike trail, a fishing pond, a diverse wildlife habitat, picnicking and an 1890s Stone House. Community groups host 5K fun runs here, archery shoots and more. A million dollar upgrade to the trail, beginning in 2025, will allow for a horse and buggy route from the trailhead at The Stone House to Walmart.
The Mined Land Wildlife Area
The Mined Land Wildlife Area is massive in size with a total of 14,500 acres and is spread out over Labette, Cherokee and Crawford Counties. It is made up of 1,500 acres of water and 13,000 acres of land, almost all mined for coal from the 1920s to the mid-1970s. Today, the majority of the landscape is covered in native grasses, as well as a variety of oak, walnut, hickory and hackberry trees. Plus, there’s plenty of hunting and fishing of regional species available.
Big Hill Lake
Big Hill Lake is one of the most popular recreational destinations in the region. Favored for its fishing, visitors dream of landing a record-setting smallmouth or largemouth bass. The lake is also well-known for its stock of crappie. If you’re not into fishing, the clear-water lake is also great for boating, taking a swim, camping, or getting some sun on its sandy shores.
Lake Parsons
Considered one of the best Crappie lakes in the state of Kansas, Lake Parsons attracts visitors year-round with its abundance of recreational opportunities. It offers hunting, fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking and a beach if you just want to catch some rays on a lazy summer day.
The Neosho River
The Neosho River runs through a large portion of southeast Kansas in Labette County and provides access with three public access boat ramps.
Parsons at Play
Glenwood Park
Eight-acre Glenwood Park is located south of the Parsons Arboretum and has a 9-hole Frisbee golf course. With a basketball court, shelter house, playground and trails, it is the perfect place for large family gatherings or just an afternoon stroll.
Winway Park
“Play ball” is often heard in and around Labette County at its baseball and softball fields, including Winway Park with 14 to 16 lighted grass fields where the Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball leagues play.
Additional Winway Park Amenities
Picnicking Areas
Shelter House
Playground
Concession Stand
Marvel Park
Marvel Park offers home field advantage as a major outdoor sporting arena with a 2,000-seat stadium and is host to the Parsons High School Vikings football team. The Labette Community College Cardinals baseball team also plays their home games at Marvel Park. Marvel Park also hosts the community’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show!
Additional Marvel Park Amenities
Lighted Baseball Fields
Shelter Houses
Walking Trail
Dog Park
RV Campgrounds
Parsons Dog Park
Man’s best friend has the Parsons Dog Park to frolic and play in! It features separate spaces for large and small dogs, an agility station, dog toys, and picnic shelters for their fur mommies and daddies — located at the north end of Marvel Park.
Forest Park
Forest Park is the largest community park in Parson and is aptly named for its thick foliage and variety of trees. It is the location for Katy Days (Memorial Day Weekend), celebrating the area’s railroad heritage with music, a parade and fun for all. Stop by Forest Park on the Fourth of July to hear the community band play before heading over to Marvel Park to enjoy the fireworks show! Forest Park is also host to the community’s Music in the Park Summer Concert Series.
Other Forest Park Amenities
Frisbee Golf
Horseshoe Pits
Splash Pad
Sand Volleyball
Tennis
Trails
Picnic Areas and Shelters
Outdoor Exercise Pad, Granite Corn hole Boards & Softball Fields adjacent to park
Municipal Swimming Pool
The Parsons Pool is just the ticket on hot summer days with a concession stand, a sunning deck, two slides and a 25-meter lap swimming pool.
PKY Skate Park
From alley-oops to airwalks, PKY Skate Park, located immediately behind the Parsons Elk Lodge on the northwest side of town, provides ramps and quarter pipes for pro and amateur skaters alike.
Katy Golf Course
Renowned over a four-state area, the Katy Golf Course is a premier 9-hole public course in Parsons. A challenging par-72 course, Katy provides tree-lined Bermuda grass fairways and bent grass greens. It has been a favorite spot for duffers of every age since 1926 and today is a full-service club with modern amenities that include a ProShop, golf simulator and onsite restaurant with facilities to accommodate parties and business outings.
Community Centers
The main indoor rec center in Labette County is the Arvon Phillips Community Center, operated by the Parsons Recreation Commission. It features a variety of activities, including a fitness room, game room, racquetball court and weight room, along with a kitchen and meeting rooms.
There is also the Westside Recreation Center that features a gymnasium, classroom, on-site parking, and a playground outside. The Recreation Center has tumbling and gymnastics programs, and can be rented for parties.
Additional Attractions
Looking for even more to explore in Parsons? Download our brochures to discover additional attractions and activities around the area. Whether you're into nature, history, or something in between, there's plenty more waiting for you.