West Flanders Garden

West Flanders Park celebrates the Shawnee Sister City of Pittem, Belgium. In honor of this Sister City relationship, a city park at 55th and Nieman was named West Flanders Park and dedicated as a memorial to the Belgians who migrated to Shawnee in the early 1900s from the West Flanders Province of Belgium. The garden design includes Belgium influences.

Construction began in the fall of 2019. The garden features perennials, natives, shrubs, vegetables, fruit, and herbs.

Garden Address

55th and Neiman Rd Shawnee, Kansas 66203
Hours: Dawn to dusk year round

Extension is pleased to have this working relationship with the City of Shawnee.

The garden is open to visitors during park hours. Feel free to take a stroll. Extension Master Gardener volunteers maintain the gardens on Thursday morning during the growing season.

• Photo Gallery

Cottage Beds

The North and South Cottage Beds present plantings influenced by Belgian cottage gardens. With color, flow, and lots of charm, both beds offer something of interest during the entire growing season.

Children's Garden

Our Children's Garden is lots of fun, presenting all kinds of plants to interest children, including plants with with funny names ("popcorn plant," "eyeball plant") and varieties that are fluffy, fuzzy, or otherwise fun to touch. With stepping stones, an obelisk, and dragon photo board, children are welcome to enter the garden and explore for themselves.

Ornamental Natives Garden

This bed showcases cultivars of native plants, which are suited to the Shawnee area. Because the plant species evolved in the area, these varieties require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides to maintain.

Vegetable Garden

In 2023, West Flanders donated 57 pounds of produce to local food pantries.

Herb Garden

The charming design offers lovely aromas, sweet flowers, and fun foliage.