Deer Creek - Overland Park, KS

The town of Overland Park was founded in 1905 by William B. Strang, Jr., who developed several suburban areas in Johnson County. The area was largely agricultural land until the housing boom after World War II, when Overland Park’s population began to skyrocket. Development of the city has continued in a southward direction, and the Deer Creek community constitutes part of the more recently developed areas.

Deer Creek doesn’t have an arts scene within the neighborhood, but plenty of cultural opportunities exist nearby. Johnson County Community College hosts a performing arts series with plays, musicians and dance by professional performers, including nationally known artists.

The Museum at Prairiefire showcases the natural history and culture of the region and farther afield. Marvel at the extensive stained-glass exterior, and bring the kids inside to discover interactive exhibits.

Dining options in the neighborhood run the gamut from international cuisine to American comfort food. You’ll find restaurants scattered all over the area, but many cluster around the intersection of Metcalf Avenue and 135th Street.

Watch chefs prepare your meal with a flourish at Kyoto Sushi and Steak, a Japanese restaurant with your choice of a teppanyaki grill hosted by a joke-telling chef skilled with a knife, a traditional Japanese tatami room or standard a American table. Try the crazy monkey roll, consisting of tempura-fried salmon, avocado, and cream cheese, or declare your local pride by choosing between the Wildcat or Jayhawk rolls.

For a quick bite, Mr. Gyro’s Greek Food & Pastries serves up traditional Greek food from the family recipes of the owners, Ted and Soula Jovaras, who emigrated to the Kansas City area in 1955. Speedy service meets quality food and a relaxing environment in this neighborhood mainstay. Mr. Gyro’s signature gyro combines lamb or chicken with tomatoes, onions and a creamy tzatziki sauce in warm, fresh pita bread. Save room for a traditional, homemade sweet treat from a dessert case filled with honeyed delights.

As with many suburban locations, Deer Creek doesn’t have much of a nightlife scene, but does have easy access to many of the Kansas City area hot spots. Crown Center, Westport, and the Power and Light district are a 25-30 minute drive away. The neighborhood does sport a few local watering holes, though. Discover your new favorite beer at Barley’s Kitchen and Tap, a local bar and grill. This beer haven has a wall lined with beer taps. Sample several brews with a local beer flight, or come by for brunch and order a beer-mosa — Belgian witbier, orange juice and a dash of Lambic.

Personal automobiles dominate as the transportation of choice in Deer Creek. Drivers find easy access to Highway 69, and a convenient grid system of roads makes it easy to get around the neighborhood and other local areas of interest. City buses are available but not ubiquitous or very frequent, so plan your trip in advance. Cab rides are generally only available by reservation, but Uber provides an alternative to traditional taxis.

Bicycle commuters share the road with cars since no bike lanes exist, though cycling on residential streets is safer and more common. The neighborhood remains safe for pedestrians, but sprawl makes many destinations impractical to reach on foot.

Lush, green fields dot Deerk Creek. Small parks that are free to the public, such as the 33-acre Windham Creek Park and the 14-acre Nottingham Downs Park, feature playgrounds, picnic tables, preserve areas and biking and walking trails. Residents spend warm days walking dogs, playing with the kids and cycling in parks close to home.

A local favorite, the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead entertains kids with animals, pony rides, a fishing pond and replicas of historical buildings, including a one-room schoolhouse, a Kanza Indian village, a mining camp and a 1900s general store. Enjoy free admission on weekends, or a pay a small fee during weekdays.

If you’re looking for outdoor exercise, visit one of four golf courses in the area: St. Andrew’s Gold Club, Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Course, Nicklaus Gold Club at LionsGate or Deer Creek Golf Club.

The high standard of living in Deer Creek does come with a price above the average for the Kansas City metro area. A one-bedroom apartment averages to $904 a month. Compared to nearby neighborhoods, Deer Creek's rents are higher than the overall Overland Park average of $667 and the urban Kansas City average of $670 for an apartment outside the city center. A bus trip to downtown Overland Park costs $2.25, and you’ll pay about $3 for a beer at a local pub. The neighborhood gas average runs about 15 percent lower than the national average.

Most of the shopping in the neighborhood centers around the intersection of Highway 69 and 135th Street, but retail areas sit close at hand around the neighborhood and in the surrounding areas. If you want upscale shopping, the fashionable Town Center Plaza lies just five minutes away. This shopping center is populated with major retailers, such as Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, Dean & Deluca and Macy’s.

For boutique shopping, visit the stylish Threshing Bee, located in Prairiefire, a neighborhood shopping and entertainment complex. The small entrance leads up a muraled staircase to what's actually a collection of small boutiques. Threshing Bee features unique women’s clothing and accessories geared toward the trendsetter who wants something different.

Residents have several options for groceries, such as the full-service Hy-Vee supermarket, Sam’s Club, and Whole Foods. While there isn’t a farmers market within the neighborhood limits, the Overland Park Farmers Market in downtown Overland Park is just a 20-minute drive away. Open April through September, the market provides farm-to-table foods and specialty items, along with live music and entertainment every Saturday.