Randall

In the city of Independence, it’s sometimes hard to get away from reminders of former President Harry S. Truman, which makes sense, given that Truman was born in Independence. A lesser-known associate and close advisor of Truman’s was fellow Independence native William J. Randall, the man whose last name is shared by the Randall neighborhood. A former lawyer, county judge and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, was also devoted to his family and he was known to appreciate time spent in the out-of-doors. So the choice of name for this particular neighborhood was a natural one, as Randall the neighborhood reflects its namesake in both areas. “It’s a great neighborhood. It’s very family-friendly and it’s far enough away from downtown so that you have peace and quiet, but you also have easy access to amenities,” says Brad Carrender, owner of Home Sweet Home Realty.

Featuring a mix of homes built in the mid-20th century and modern construction, buyers can expect to find a wide range of price points in Randall. While the median price for homes in the neighborhood is around $170,000, prices can range from approximately $92,000 for a two-bedroom/one-bathroom ranch-style home to a four-bedroom/four-bathroom raised ranch-style home that can sell for up to $356,000.

Students in the neighborhood attend Randall Elementary, Pioneer Ridge Middle and Fort Osage High School. Students at Fort Osage High can participate in the A+ Program, which is designed to help eligible students prepare for college and a career after high school by promoting academic excellence and career guidance through interactions with area business partners.

At the neighborhood’s southern border, you’ll find the Independence Athletic Complex, which is host to a variety of youth and adult sports leagues. The complex covers 165 acres with 16 different practice fields for baseball, softball, soccer and football. When the facility is not reserved for recreational league purposes, it is open to the public. In addition to the sports facilities, the complex is also home to a picnic shelter, playground, amphitheater and 1.5 miles of trails for hiking and biking.

To the northwest of Randall is the Winter Stone Golf Course, designed by noted course designer Craig Schreiner. Availing itself of the hilly terrain in the area, Winter Stone will challenge golfers of every skill level, while still keeping it fun for beginners. The scenic views from the course are spectacular, as both the front and back nine increase in elevation before descending back to the clubhouse. The course is open to the public and there is a driving range on-site for practice.

For more nature-centric outdoor recreation, Choplin-Hood Park is nearby, occupying 12 acres of undeveloped area. Offering visitors picnic areas with grills, tennis courts, a baseball field, a playground and plenty of open space for exploration, the park is an ideal place to relax on a weekend afternoon or to take a brief walk in nature to decompress during a busy week. And nearby Bund-Jack Park offers visitors a place to relax in a wooded setting. The park is 1.5 acres in size, and features a playground, walking trail, picnic table and benches.

Save a Lot grocery store is the neighborhood site for when the need arises to stock up on food, and Target is a 10-minute drive for all those household necessities. And when cooking just isn’t on the menu, there are plenty of nearby dining options to satisfy you. Goodcents Sandwich Shop is just a few minutes away by car, offering up made-to-order subs, plus soups, sides and drinks to round-out your lunch order. Or check out Tavern 24 for amazing pizza, sandwiches, burgers, street tacos and a whole lot more. And for residents of Randall who want to get away from it all for a romantic getaway, family staycation or even just a glass of wine, the Albonée Country Inn & Winery is just 15 minutes away by car. Offering food and wine in addition to vineyard tours, the winery is set atop a hill overlooking Independence, and the winery’s bed-and-breakfast is a relaxing retreat.

With easy highway access, Randall is convenient to virtually anywhere in Independence, and the neighborhood is only half-an-hour away by car from downtown Kansas City. So whether it’s for work, shopping or play, residents can get anywhere they need to without spending all day in the car. That convenience is just one more reason why so many people are flocking to Independence, and why Randall is such a booming neighborhood in the town. “Randall is definitely a growing neighborhood. It has a lot going for it, and I think people are realizing that,” says Carrender.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Dennis Gray

Video By

Zack Kojoyian