Johnson County Connect: Gardner

Why I think you will love Gardner, Kansas . . .

Gardner is located in Southern Johnson County, KS along I-35

Click to view an interactive map of Gardner, KS

Gardner, Kansas Facts

Whether you visit Gardner, KS. by car, plane and maybe train in the future, you’ll notice really quick why over 20,000 people have learned to call Gardner, KS. home. Gardner is a great place to live with a rich tradition, low crime, great schools, wonderful parks, affordable living, small town atmosphere and future growth.

Rich Tradition

Gardner has a rich traditions from the Lanesfield One Room School Historic Site to the Gardner Museum to the Gardner Junction Park. Gardner is also where the California and Santa Fe Trails divided. Gardner was founded as a Free-Stater settlement in 1857. Settled primarily by emigrants from Massachusetts, it may have been named for Henry Gardner, then governor of Massachusetts. Four years after its establishment, it became the first community in Johnson County — and perhaps the first in the state — to experience an attack by Confederate forces.

For more information about the History about Gardner, go to ---> History of Gardner

Low Crime

Gardner’s crime index is 22% lower than the state of Kansas and Kansas is 14% lower than the National average. Gardner’s violent crime rate is 41% lower than the state of Kansas and Kansas is 14% lower than the National average. Gardner’s property crime rate is 20% lower than Kansas and Kansas is 13% lower than the National average.

For more information about the crime in Gardner, go to ---> Spot Crime in Gardner

Gardner Schools

Gardner is a growing community with excellent schools. Gardner currently has four Elementary schools with an additional one opening in the Fall of 2013. Gardner also has two Middle Schools with an additional one opening in the Fall of 2013. Gardner has one High School, GEHS.

In 2012, USD 231 patrons approved a $72 million bond issue which provided a new elementary school, a new middle school, upgrades to technology, upgrades to the DAC and synthetic turf, a new Multipurpose Activity Center at the High School and much needed facility improvements.

Awards and Recognition - 2014-2015

35 GEHS Seniors recognized by KU Honors Program for high achievement

Cooper McGuire is recipient of a Nordstrom Cares Scholarship worth $10,000

Sara Weishaar, first grade teacher at Sunflower, receives $2,000 technology grant funded by DonorsChoose.org.
GEHS seniors Tanner Hughes and Krista Long receive NAIA Champions of Character Award

Awards and Recognition - 2013-2014

GEHS ranked in Top 10 area high schools by Ingram's Business Magazine.

USD 231 ranked a Top 5 Metro School District by Kansas City Business Journal

Gardner Elementary School recipient of Challenge Award by Confidence in Public Education Task Force
35 GEHS Seniors recognized by KU Honors Program for high achievement
5 Governor's Achievement Awards (based on 2013 State Assessments) - Edgerton Elementary, Madison Elementary, Nike Elementary, Sunflower Elementary and Wheatridge Middle Schools

Awards and Recognition - 2012-2013

Jenny Becker named Gardner Rotary Teacher of the Year, 201
Wheatridge Middle School earned Character Challenge Award
GEHS Engineering Design Students earned second place in the National AbilityOne Engineering Competition.
Wheatridge Principal Heath Sigg named Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals Principal of the Year
Kayla Rausin, First Year Teacher Horizon Award Winner
Four Governor's Achievement Awards - 27 Total Awards Since 2006
Two Excellence in Communication Awards (Newsletter/ PR Strategy-Bond Issue) - Kansas School Boards Association/KanSPRA, 2013
Cheryl Lundberg - Kansas Music Association Orchestra Teacher of the Year
Cassie Wait - All America First Team/Volleyball

For more information on the Gardner School District, go to ---> Gardner Edgerton School District

Wonderful Parks

Gardner has over 15 parks, including Celebration Park and Veterans Park. At Celebration Park, you can play baseball, softball, soccer and/or football. You can play indoor basketball and soccer at the New Century Fieldhouse. Gardner has 3 walking/jogging trails to keep you fit. You can fish at either Celebration Park or Gardner Lake. You can enjoy a relaxing round of golf at Gardner Golf Course. You can enjoy a fun day in the sun at Gardner Aquatic Center with zero entry pool, diving boards, lazy river, and slides.

For more information on the Parks in Gardner, go to ---> Gardner Parks

Affordable Living

Gardner is one of the few areas in Johnson County, Kansas that a home buyer can buy a new home under $200,000. The median estimated home value in Gardner is $153,000. The median home value in Gardner has increased 4.2% in the past year to $167,000.

Small Town Atmosphere

Gardner still has a small town feel with shops downtown but has some amenities that a larger town has such as a Wal-Mart and Price Chopper. We have a fantastic local coffee bistro, Ground House. Gardner has several restaurants such as Austin’s Bar & Grill, Blazers Restaurant, La Caretta, China Taste, Tumbleweed, Roosters and the recently opened R &K Diner.

Future Growth

Gardner is going to be growing. With the new BNSF Intermodal, Coleman Warehouse, Garmin Headquarters, Cramer Products, TradeNet Publishing, and over 30 businesses in the New Century AirCenter such as CenturyLink Corporate Headquarters, Honeywell, King Avionics, Stenner Pumps, Stouse, and Steel & Pipe Company.

My family and I have lived in Gardner for over 15 years and we have found that it is a great place to raise a family. Our two oldest currently have attended the schools in the Gardner - Edgerton High School District.

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