Welcome to Prairie Village
With a 2020 population of 23,467, Prairie Village is the 18th largest city in Kansas, covering 6.7 square miles. It is a small city that borders Leawood to the north. The Village Voice is the City’s bi-monthly newsletter. It is mailed to every resident in the City, allowing residents to keep up-to-date with significant events and activities in their neighborhood.
Fun Facts About Prairie Village
Shawnee, Osage, and Kansas Indians formerly owned the land that is now Prairie Village. Remnants of the Santa Fe Trail are still found in the city.
In the 1940’s, developers wanted to turn farmland into suburban housing for soldiers returning from the war. Prairie Village was platted in 1941 and named after Prairie School which was established almost a century before. It was officially recognized as a city in 1951.
Prairie Village continued to expand as the Prairie Village Shopping Center opened in 1947 and the Corinth Square Shopping Center opened in 1955.
Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Prairie Village include actress and dancer Sandahl Bergman, Hall of Fame professional baseball player George Brett, actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, and Joyce DiDonato, the mezzo-soprano opera singer.
Meadowbrook Park
A portion of the former 135-acre Meadowbrook Country Club has been converted into the new 80-acre Meadowbrook Park. The new park addition addressed the shortage of park space in northeast Johnson County. The design for the new park took advantage of the open green space and mature trees that were part of the former golf course and transformed the property into a one-of-a-kind park. It offers a Grand Pavilion with a 120-person capacity, Grove Playground with outdoor musical instruments, a converted sand bunker sandbox and climbing net, pickleball courts, and outdoor senior fitness.
Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting
The Mayor’s Holiday Tree is illuminated each year to serve as a reminder of our Prairie Village community members in need. Money raised for the Mayor's Holiday Tree Fund helps deserving and qualified Prairie Village residents with utility assistance, home maintenance, food assistance, and other vital needs of the community. The City works with Johnson County Human Services and other local charities to pinpoint specific necessities.
Prairie Village JazzFest
The Prairie Village JazzFest brings thousands of people together to enjoy an evening of magical music, fabulous artistry, delectable food and drink, and fun! Critics have raved about their past festivals, and Prairie Village put itself on the map as the newest "destination jazz festival" in Kansas City.
The Village Shops
The Village Shops offer a quaint, outdoor setting with over 50 establishments. Traditional, contemporary, elegant, you will find a variety of delicious cuisine and stylish gifts. So many choices!
Although having “Village” in its name, Prairie Village is a City that has quality education, numerous housing options, close commuter routes into Kansas City, recreation, and pedestrian-friendly shopping. Locals are quick to note that these amenities were the selling points when they were looking for the best place to call home.
