Deanna Rose Farmstead Fee-Based Admission on Weekends

Many of us have come to know and love Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead located in Overland Park as a free attraction for kids and family members. It's been around for more than thirty years and relies entirely on private donations and tax money.

Just this week, Overland Park City Council voted in favor of imposing a $2 admission fee payable on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with the start of the next operating season in April 2010. The season runs through October 31st each year. Admission for children under two years of age will remain FREE and families will be able to purchase season passes for $35 (Overland Park residents) or $50 (non-residents).

A recent article in the KC Star revealed that attendance is near 500,000 each year and only a quarter of those visitors are actually residents and taxpayers of Overland Park. The Farmstead, which hosts countless group tours for schools and churches each year, features an interactive petting zoo and farm, fishing ponds, horseback riding, hay rides, dairy barn, playgrounds and many more attractions for kids.

Many Kansas City moms (and dads, grandparents, child care givers, etc.) often kept Deanna Rose Farmstead in their 'back pocket' for days when the kids needed something to do. Will this new fee policy impact how many times you decide to visit the farm or will it not have any affect at all on it? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

To join Deanna Rose Farmstead's Facebook Fan page, click here.

12 responses to “Deanna Rose Farmstead Fee-Based Admission on Weekends”

Helen

December 16, 2009

Most of our family trips there happen on Fridays (my husband’s day off), so this will definitely limit those. I’ll probably make more effort to bring my boys during the week now.
I would think a better first step for them would have been charging “out of town” school districts and summer camps a small fee for field trips. There are so many buses there during the week sometimes!

Reply
Stacey

December 16, 2009

I think the farm has privately provided long enough. I love the option to buy a season pass, and I understand that they can’t rely on donations alone~ look at the wonderful upkeep, the vast number of staff, and the new features they are always adding. Well worth the $35!!! =)

Reply
Cheryl

December 16, 2009

I have to say… I’m disappointed. A huge benefit of going to the Deanna Rose Farmstead is that it’s free and you can donate as you’re able. I used to live in the area, but since then moved away. So now for our family, going to the farmstead is a BIG deal. We already don’t get to go as much as we’d like. Our family of 7 (none of us under 2… drats) drives an hour and a half one way to visit the farm- it’s about $15 in gas per round trip (yes, I added it up). Then fishing pole rentals. Ice cream after we milk the plastic cow in the barn. Plus, since it’s such a trip to Overland Park, we go out to eat while we’re in the city, too. I realize $14 for our family isn’t an arm and a leg (the $50 family pass DOES seem way too excessive, though), but the trip already adds up for us. We’ve always donated when we’ve gone… between $3-$5 each time. Plus the rentals and bought ice cream.
I know you’re not going to change your fee just for us, but I wish there were some way we could get in cheaper (obviously with school and the long drive, we can only go on the weekends). But it’s starting to sound like we need to be on the lookout for cheap things to do that are closer to us. Yes, to answer the question… we’ll still go to the park sometimes, but we’ll have to make it even less often once you start with the admission fees.

Reply
Valerie

December 16, 2009

$2 a head is a small fee for the joy that Deanna Rose brings to my kids.. Hopefully this will help to continue to build and bring upgrades to the farmstead so that one day my grandchildren can enjoy it too! 🙂 Thanks for all that you do!

Reply
Janelle

December 16, 2009

I already hate going to DR on the weekends because of the crowds, and also try to avoid it during “field trip season”. We usually try to get there at 9 AM on weekdays and leave when the buses show up. I doubt I’d pay to go, though.

Reply
theluckiestmomma@sbcglobal.net

December 16, 2009

We often went there because it was free since we live so far out it was a day trip. I usually put a $1 or 2 in the bucket when we can, not many fun and educational things around KC. We usually go in the weekdays anyway but I dont think it would stop us if we did want to go on the weekend.

Reply
Brooke

December 16, 2009

I always donate $20 when we go because we love it and since we can afford to, we donate. They will now be losing money from us since they will start charging. It will be $4 for us to get in next year as my daughter turns 3 the end of next year. Of course, if they still give us the option to donate more – I will gladly do so. I get $20 of enjoyment every single time we go.

Reply
Jennifer

December 17, 2009

I will gladly pay for admission – I actually can’t believe they aren’t charging more. My son loves going “to the farm,” even more than the zoo. Have you been to the zoo lately? It’s insanely expensive when you pay to get in and then spend they’re enormous charges for food and drinks. The Farmstead will be a bargain no matter what!

Reply
Cathy Smith

January 11, 2010

This is a small price to pay for such an awesome and widely visited attraction. I would pay double the weekend rate for the quality that DR provides. Johnson County is one of the richest counties in KS. (Yes, I live in Johnson County and no I’m not rich) but we need to REALLY appreciate the gem we have in DR. If people are so opposed to paying the fee, feel free to visit during the week. It’s FREE!!!

Reply
docadams1@yahoo.com

January 27, 2010

I don’t feel that charging a small amount of money 3 days a week is a big deal. If a family loves going to Deanna Rose and interested but doesn’t want to pay the fee then go during the week. Realistically, paying $50 a season to go as much as we want is not expensive at all. They have to make money, they have to improve the facilities, and the small $1 or $2 a person gives isn’t going to help them do that. There are 2 options, go or don’t go, either way they will charge and its not going to go away.

Reply
Jenlea

March 24, 2010

I think it’s great that they are only charing admission on certain days, so there is still an option for free use of the park. $2 a person is still a bargain for the beauty and fun that is Deanna Rose. I’m just thrilled that it is not going anywhere, and the place I loved so much as a child is still around for my daughter to enjoy. We’ve been going since she was a newborn.

Reply
Susanne

April 1, 2010

I think $2 is a very modest fee and will happily pay if we go on the weekend. We are probably MORE likely now to go on the weekend since the fee will probably cut down on some of the crowds of people just wandering over from the soccer fields.

Reply