For Jack, it was 13 and 208, two numbers he can distinctly recall.

Jack Kline, supervisor of parks maintenance, is retiring after 34 years with Overland Park's Parks Department.

In 1976, Overland Park had 13 parks containing 208 acres. The Parks Department had five maintenance employees and worked out of a building call the "Foster Barn" at 7920 Foster in downtown Overland Park.

Today, Overland Park has 83 parks and over 2,000 acres. Crews maintain the parks, seven municipal pools, street medians and street trees.

Having spent more than half his life working for Overland Park, Kline plans to move into his new career as a writer. He published his first book, Blowing Carbon, in January. It is a collection of short stories. Kline plans to write short stories, essays and work on his first novel.

Congrats, Jack, thanks for the years and good luck.