Outdoors

Welcome, Neighbor.
These outdoor attractions (shown alphabetically) are for the enjoyment of all Cedar Creek residents. Use by non-residents is limited to guests who are accompanied by a Cedar Creek resident of at least 16 years of age. Cedar Creek permits are required for fishing, watercraft, and use of certain amenities.  To obtain a fishing/boating license, please click Fishing/Boating Permit to fill out an online form and then come into the office to pay. 
Related independent/non-commercial outdoor resources:  Cedar Creek Nature Club.   Cedar Creek Fishing Club.  


CEDAR CREEK PRAIRIE

To the best of our knowledge, Cedar Creek is the only HOA community in Kansas with acreage set aside for native grasses and wildflowers. 2024 SPRING/SUMMER UPDATES.    PRAIRIE MAP

This butterfly and songbird habitat occupies a 6 acre strip of utility easement sandwiched between The Crossings and Southglen I, and runs to the southwest from College Boulevard to Clare Road. A grassy outer perimeter of drought-resistent turf fescue (about 30 feet wide) separates adjoining homes from the prairie's interior - which is dedicated to native wildflowers and grasses. The paved trails within Cedar Creek Prairie are easily accessible from other trails that meander throughout the adjacent neighborhoods. The trails within the prairie plus the grassy perimeter provide excellent prairie views plus several spots that are suitable for birding and stargazing.  From time to time, the Cedar Creek Prairie Committee organizes educational events and undertakes projects to further enhance the prairie. Volunteers are welcome!

This new prairie space was drill-seeded in the winter of 2022. By summer of  2023, progressive development of native grasses and wildflowers was noted, along with an uptick in butterflies and songbirds.  According to plan, the grassy perimeter will be mowed regularly during the growing season, and the interior area of the prairie will be brush-hogged every 3 years - with the first tri-annual brush-hogging completed in May, 2024. This tri-annual brush-hogging is timed to curb invasive species and stimulate the native grasses and wildflowers. The natives are expected to recover within 6 to 8 weeks. The walk up signs (posted at six spots on the prairie) may be updated later in this year. The new signs will resemble the one shown below. 

CEDAR CREEK TRAILS
Here, residents and accompanied guests may enjoy Cedar Creek's diverse topography, wildlife, scenery, plants and trees. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and all waste picked up and properly discarded.

LEGEND/ALL MAPS: Mulch trails = brown; Sidewalks = light blue; Paved trail = dark blue. GENERAL TRAIL MAP.

Bluebird Nature Trail (0.22 miles, mulch): This quiet and peaceful trail runs behind a number of homes, through the woods between Cedar Niles Boulevard and 110th Terrace. This is the only trail in southwest Cedar Creek and many residents incorporate it into a variety of hiking loops, using Cedar Creek's extensive sidewalk system.  When choosing which direction to hike Bluebird Nature Trail, keep in mind it slopes downward from Cedar Niles Boulevard to 110th Terrace.This map and the general trail map will help you plan your hike.

Cedar Creek sidewalk system (shown in light blue): Miles of neighborhood sidewalk provide year round hiking opportunities and great connections to Cedar Creek trails, parks, pools, and other assets.  The general trail map will help you plan your hike.

Cedar Niles Circle Trail (0.3 miles, mulch): For several neighborhoods, this trail provides a direct connection to the Shadow Lake Nature Trail.  Once on Shadow Lake Nature Trail, hikers may head east to the Pump House Trailhead at Hidden Glen Park, then complete a loop (1.3 miles) by hiking back up (south) using the sidewalk along Cedar Niles Boulevard. Note that the descent from Cedar Niles Circle is fairly steep in places and the hike back up Cedar Niles Boulevard can also be exhausting. Know your limits and consider bringing your cell phone and water.  This map and the general trail map will help you plan your hike.

Hidden Glen Connector (90 yards, mulch, steep): Thanks to this section of the Shadow Lake Nature Trail, residents in several neighborhoods are just a short walk away from Hidden Glen Park and Pond. This map and the general trail map will help you plan your hike.

Hidden Glen Loop: This loop combines a short segment of Shadow Lake Nature Trail (north side of Hidden Glen Pond/mulch) with sidewalk along Cedar Creek Boulevard and along Cedar Niles Boulevard. The loop is flat but involves several street crossings. Plans are under consideration that would add a hiking loop to Hidden Glen Park without street crossings.  This map and the general trail map will help you plan your hike.

Shadow Lake Nature Trail (mulch) forms a 2.65 mile loop around Shadow Lake. Features include wildlife, a wide variety of plants and trees (many labeled), Hidden Glen Park & Pond, Lakeshore Park, two small fishing docks (one near Hidden Glen Park, one near Lakeshore Park), a secluded fishing hole/naturalized area behind Shadow Lake Dam, plus a multitude of views along the way. There are several long grades, the surface may be rough in places, a creek crossing behind the dam utilizes stream boulders, and cell phone service may be spotty. Please wear sturdy shoes and don't hike beyond your capability. Consider bringing your cell phone, water, and a hiking companion.

More about Shadow Lake Nature Trail:  This map will help you locate the various trailheads, feeder trails and parking areas - and help those hiking the entire loop to navigate the 0.33 mile section between 103rd Street Trailhead and Hidden Glen Park (comprised of sidewalk and trail). More hiking hints for Shadow Lake Nature Trail are shown below under Hidden Glen Park and Lakeshore Park.

Southglen Pond Trail (0.25 miles, mulch): This gentle trail offers several quiet areas for nature viewing and fishing, two with benches. Currently, the trail leads from the north entrance on W 114th Street to the north shore of Southglen Pond, then partially encircles the pond. Plans are under consideration that would form a complete loop around the pond.  This map and the general trail map will help you plan your hike.

Southglen trail system (paved, shown as dark blue): Several miles of relatively flat trail provides excellent walking routes throughout the Southglen neighborhoods and most are wide enough to accommodate children on bicycles, baby carriages, and wheel chairs.  The general trail map will help you plan your hike.

The College Boulevard connection to Cedar Niles Boulevard, when upgraded, will include a paved recreational trail that will connect various parts of Cedar Creek and provide excellent cycling/pedestrian connections to nearby schools, stores, parks, and regional trail systems. 

FISHING & WATERCRAFT VENUES

FISHING: Shadow Lake, Hidden Glen Pond and the pond behind Shadow Lake dam provide an abundance of large mouth bass, wipers, crappie, muskie, catfish, bluegill, and more. Club House Pond and Southglen Pond are also a nice spots to land a few bluegill. 

This tranquil 13 acre park is conveniently located at the NW intersection of Cedar Niles Boulevard and Cedar Creek Parkway, near the southeast shore of Shadow Lake.  The park serves as home for Cedar Creek's Annual Fall Festival and features fishing (on the pond and just below Bridge Falls), spectacular views, birds and wildlife, an open meadow for play, and a paved parking lot. More amenities are under consideration to compliment the peace and serenity of this park. Hidden Glen Park also features two trailheads for Shadow Lake Nature Trail.

Hidden Glen Pond Trailhead is located on the mulched path along the north shore of the pond. Distances from Hidden Glen Pond Trailhead:  To Lakeshore Park (0.5 miles); To stream crossing behind dam (1.2 miles); entire Shadow Lake Nature Trail loop/counter clockwise (2.65 miles).  

Pump House Trailhead is located about 100 yards west of the parking lot. Distances from Pump House Trailhead:  To south shore fishing dock (300 yards); To stream crossing behind dam (1.2 miles); To Lakeshore Park (1.9 miles); entire Shadow Lake Nature Trail loop/clockwise (2.65 miles).
 

HIDDEN LAKE PARK
Part of the Clubhouse complex, Hidden Lake Park features playground equipment, a sand volleyball court, winding trails, numerous picnic areas, and excellent opportunities to observe birds and wildlife.




LAKESHORE PARK
Located at the northeast corner of Shadow Lake (at the terminus Greentree Court), this four acre park is a multi-faceted jewel, with expansive views of the lake and exceptional opportunities to observe birds and wildlife.  Assets for the water-oriented include a boat ramp, storage racks for watercraft, and several fishing spots, including a spacious fishing dock plus a smaller dock located nearby on the Shadow Lake Nature Trail. Other features include a nationally certified butterfly garden, cooking grills, park benches, a seasonal toilet, and spacious paved parking.

Boat Ramp Trailhead: Starting here, the trail heads west along north shore. Distances from Boat Ramp Trailhead:  To North Shore Fishing Dock (100 yards/easy); To stream crossing behind dam (0.7 miles/several steep areas); To Hidden Glen Park & Pond (2.23 miles/several steep areas); entire Shadow Lake Nature Trail loop/counter-clockwise (2.65 miles).

103rd Street Trailhead is located about 1200 ft north of boat ramp (just east of Greentree Court and 103rd St). Starting here, the trail heads SE toward Hidden Glen Park & Pond (0.36 miles/some sidewalks & steep areas). Trail passes through Hidden Glen Park to the Pumphouse Trailhead, then heads west along the south shore. More distances from 103rd Street Trailhead: To South Shore Fishing Dock (0.86 miles); Stream crossing behind dam (1.8 miles); entire Shadow Lake Nature Trail loop/clockwise (2.65 miles).  

SHADOW LAKE

For safety and environmental reasons, the boat ramp at Lakeshore Park is the only location where watercraft of any type may enter or leave Shadow Lake.




SOUTHGLEN PARK
This Olathe city park is easily accessed via Southglen's extensive network of paved trails, is next door to Cedar Creek Elementary and is conveniently close to Southglen Pool. The playground, shelters, grills, and prairie views make it a great destination for families and residents of all ages.




SOUTHGLEN POND & NATURE TRAIL
This hidden jewel is conveniently located in the center of Southglen and easily accessed via Southglen's extensive network of paved trails. A mulched trail leads from the north entrance on W 114th Street to the pond, offering several quiet areas for nature viewing and fishing, two with benches. Visitors and residents include fox, deer, beaver, turtles, chipmunks, tortoise, muskrats, frogs, and a wide variety of birds, butterflies, and other insects. Due to the shallow depth and wild nature of the pond, most catches are limited to bluegill.      

SWIMMING POOLS, TENNIS, PICKLE BALL COURTS
SEE AMENITIES

WATER FALLS
Cedar Creek residents have several beautiful water falls to enjoy. Best known is Cliff Falls, a twin set of high falls that tumble down the cliffs along Cedar Creek Parkway, just south of Valley Drive. The pond at Hidden Glen Park features Bridge Falls (a wide cascade on the west end) plus a small/unnamed cascade on the east end.  A lesser known unnamed falls is tucked away on the retention pond located on the NE corner of Cedar Creek Parkway and 103rd Street. A number of seasonal rivlets may be enjoyed along the Shadow Lake Nature Trail.