The only inflatable water park in the region opens June 2nd on the shores of Longview Lake Beach. Following a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30am, Rowdy Ribbit's Water Park opens to the public. Guests can enjoy music on the beach with DJ Love from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., taste treats from Twisted Taters and Kona Ice and meet Kansas City Chiefs Defensive End Chris Jones during an autograph session from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Live radio broadcasts will also air on 99.7 The Point and 106.5 The Wolf.

What:         Rowdy Ribbit’s Water Park Grand Opening
                           
When:         Saturday, June 2
 
Time:          10:30 a.m. – Ribbon Cutting
                    11:00 a.m. – Opens to the Public

​Where:        Longview Lake Beach
                     11101 Raytown Road, Kansas City, MO
 
Cost:           $20 for 1 hour (per person)
                    $35 for 2 hours (per person)
 
                    Beach admission also required
                    $6 Adults age 16-64
                    $4 Ages 3-15 & Seniors 65 and over
                    Free Under 3

“This is such an exciting opportunity for Jackson County and the region,” said Jackson County Parks + Rec Director Michele Newman. “We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome this exciting new attraction to Longview Lake Beach.”
 
How it works: Rowdy Ribbits offers one-hour sessions of non-stop fun. Participants must sign up in advance for the hour(s) they wish to play and that hour is exclusive to no more than 100 people. There is no waiting in line. Arrival should be 30 minutes prior to each session.
 
Participants must be at least 6 years old, 48 inches tall and sign a release waiver. Before each session, a beach attendant will review the waiver, go over safety protocols and issue a certified life jacket.  Life jackets must be worn at all times in the water. The ability to swim is a plus, but not mandatory. A Tadpole Pond is available for those who don’t meet the height requirement.
 
Rowdy Ribbits participants will pay a fee to play and a Longview Lake Beach admission fee, giving them all-day access to the beach, where people are allowed to bring their own coolers of food and soft drinks.
 
Visit www.rowdyribbits.com to schedule a session, purchase passes, view discounts and more.
 
Rowdy Ribbit’s Water Sports Park is an independently owned and operated attraction at Longview Lake Beach. All fees are set by the ownership. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., seven days a week, from June 2 through Labor Day.
 
For more information, call (816) 229-8980 or go to www.MakeYourDayHere.com.

OATS Transit will be available to Grain Valley residents beginning June 1, 2018.  The transportation service will offer door to door or curb to curb service for residents  65 years of age or older or ages 18-64 with a disability.  It will be available in Grain Valley on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Trips will be limited to the city limits of Grain Valley and Blue Springs.  The cost is $1.00 per one way trip.  Fare cards may be purchased for $10.00 (10 one-way trips or 5 round trips).

City administration and staff worked with OATS personnel over the last several months to identify the need for this service through surveys and reaching out to community members. 

“I am so happy that those in need of transportation will have this available to them at such a minimal cost per trip.  City staff worked diligently to make sure this service was brought to Grain Valley,” said Mayor Mike Todd.

​To schedule a ride, call 816-380-7433 up to two weeks in advance between the hours of 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. 

When Ann Hils, owner of Hils Pharmacy, heard about the purchase by CVS of the Red Cross Pharmacies and the closure of the Grain Valley location, she reached out to the Grain Valley Partnership to offer delivery services twice a day to residents in Grain Valley. Hils Pharmacy is an independent pharmacy owned by Randolph County natives Jared and Ann Hils. In the process of exploring opportunities to serve the Grain Valley area, Hils had the opportunity to work closely with the Grain Valley Chamber and Economic Development teams spreading the word of the delivery service, discussing the changes, and how her organization could help. 
 
Hils explains that this relationship, along with her interactions with business owners and residents, proved that a move to Grain Valley was the right choice. “The Grain Valley Partnership and their relationship with the City, knowledge of available space, and more has helped tremendously with assisting Buckner Pharmacy to relocate. The community has been so welcoming and encouraging. My team and I are really looking forward to serving Grain Valley.”
 
Hils Pharmacy will continue to serve their Buckner clients from their new location. The Grain Valley location is slated to open in late May.