Country Hill in Lenexa in Johnson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Rose Family
A lasting legacy for Lenexa and its parks
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
1. The Rose Family Marker
If not for Bob and Dorothy Rose, Lenexa might never have established the city's beloved and most-used Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.
The Roses - originally hailing from Madison, Wisconsin - bought a 50-acre farm at 87th Street and Lackman Road in 1958, when the intersection was a country dirt road and the city had fewer than 2,500 residents. Over the next few decades, Bob and Dorothy raised seven children on their hobby farm, growing wheat, alfalfa and corn, and maintaining a dozen cattle and a few horses. They built a house, dug a well (before Lenexa joined the WaterOne service area), and erected a dam along a creek to create what is now known as Rose's Pond.
The Rose farm was a natural gathering place for the community. Local kids swam and fished in the pond during summer and ice skated on it in the winter. Bob bought extra pairs of ice skates at garage sales so everyone could participate. The family barn, which still stands today, was the site of many memorable basketball games and dances.
Changing times<
The Roses began selling their farm in pieces in the 1970s, as development began to encroach around their peaceful
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Instead, they chose to donate the 3-acre pond and sell two major pieces to the City of Lenexa in 1974 and 1983, which were envisioned for civic use or public park land.
Bob and Dorothy were proud to see their farm become Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, where future generations could continue coming together for recreation and relaxation, and where the city's rich history could be preserved through the Legler Barn Museum erected on-site.
Commitment to Lenexa
The Rose family impacted Lenexa far beyond the park itself. Bob Rose was a charter member of the Lenexa Historical Society and served as its founding president. The family has been a longtime supporter of the organization. Bob and Dorothy's son John Rose helped launch the popular Lenexa Freedom Run 5K/10K in 1978. And though people can no longer skate on Rose's Pond today, the family donated funds to erect a temporary ice skating rink during winter at nearby Bois D'Arc Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1958.
Location. 38° 58.169′ N,
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026
2. The Rose Family Marker
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Greater Kansas City. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, on the Southern Plains, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lenexa Rolling Magic Skate Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bandstands: Bringing the Community Together (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gardens: A Way to Survive (approx. ¼ mile away); Lenexa Railroad Depot: Spurs Growth (approx. ¼ mile away); The Burlington Northern Caboose: Control Center & Home (approx. ¼ mile away); Wait Station: Connecting Suburbs (approx. ¼ mile away); Legler Barn: A Lasting Legacy (approx. ¼ mile away); Depot Operations & Layout (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lenexa.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
