Fairway in northeast Johnson County identifies itself as "The City of Trees." The self-description fits. Fairway is one of the metro area's prettiest and most sought-after suburbs. It sits east of Mission Road along both sides of Shawnee Mission Parkway.
The city took its name from the fairways of two private golf clubs - the Kansas city Country Club and the Mission Hills Golf course - that border it.
Inside those borders are streets filled with charming homes (about 1,800 of them) in a wide range of style and price. Some are near the Shawnee Indian Methodist Mission and School established by the Rev. Thomas Johnson in 1839 and now an official historic site operated by the Kansas State Historical Society. The mission's grounds and red brick buildings are the locale for frequent festivals and historic celebrations.
J.C. Nichols acquired the property that became Fairway a century after the days of Rev. Johnson. It was developer Nichols who began the tree-planting program that produced the shaded streets winding through the town today.
Because it is close to the University of Kansas Medical Center, the Country Club Plaza and Downtown Kansas City, Fairway is popular for businesses and for homes. Its approximately 100 businesses include the quaint shops and eateries in the Fairway Shops district and such corporate citizens as KCTV Channel 5 in the office park on Shawnee Mission Parkway.
Neale Peterson Park on Mission Road is a center for community activities, including "movies in the park" and Sunday night concerts during the summer and a festival and holiday lighting ceremony in the winter. Renovated in summer 2001, this city-owned park holds new play equipment, two tennis courts, an open play area and two shelters. The city swimming pool, also improved in 2001, is adjacent.
A vigorous parks and recreation department sponsors the park-based events, including this year's Fairway Swimming Pool 50th birthday party and the Fairway Trail of Tricks and Treats at Halloween.
Today, the city's mission statement is clear and strong: "to sustain and develop the character of our community ensuring the highest quality of life for our residents."
