About Us
MISSION
To provide excellent city services that enhance the quality of life of the Lawrence community.
Since its creation in 1946, Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department has continued to
carryout the mission of enhancing the quality of life of the Lawrence community. Over
the years, the department has developed many programs desired by the community.
Programs others now operate, like Art in the Park and Summer Theatre, were begun by
Lawrence Parks and Recreation. The department has even assisted by continuing
needed programs, like continuing education classes that were eliminated as U.S.D. 497
offerings.
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PARKS & RECREATION OVERVIEW |
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Lawrence Parks and Recreation operates/manages/maintains:
- 52 parks and open spaces, measuring 3,535 acres
- 5 recreation/community centers
- 4 swimming facilities
- 1 golf course
- 1 nature center
- 33 athletic fields
- 21 basketball/multi-use courts (indoor/outdoor)
- 19 picnic areas
- 3 cemeteries
- 30 playgrounds
- 19 tennis courts
- 2 skate parks
- 2 off-leash dog parks
- 2 disc golf courses
The department employs 69 full-time employees and nearly 600 part-time employees throughout the year. In 2008, the department had 783 volunteers who served more than 35,000 hours as youth sport coaches, assisting with landscaping, tending to animals at the nature center and cleaning up park areas. Lawrence Parks and Recreation maintains nearly 70 miles of biking, walking and hiking trails.
The department developed the Wee Folks Scholarship Fund to support youth in the community, providing access to its programs. In 2008, more than $19,500 in scholarships were awarded to Lawrence youth to participate in the department activities. The department continues to create win-win partnerships with businesses in the community and annually recognizes them through the Friends of the Park program. Since 2002, more than $500,000 has been provided in monetary gifts and services from individuals, groups and businesses supporting the department’s activities.
Since 1995, Lawrence citizens have invested more than $30 million to Parks and Recreation capital improvements, which include:
- $9 million Indoor Aquatic Center (opened in 2001)
- $3.2 million Eagle Bend Golf Course and Learning Center (opened in 1998)
- $2.9 million in renovations to the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center
- $2 million in renovations to East Lawrence Recreation Center (opened in 1997)
- $2 millon Clinton Lake Softball Complex (opened in 1997)
- $950,000 for Prairie Park Nature Center (opened in 1999.
The department continues to implement cost reduction methods and has outsourced mowing, cleaning and forestry services to decrease its cost of staffing and other expenses incurred.
Lawrence Parks and Recreation is committed to developing its programs and services in innovative, cost-efficient and effective ways to further enhance Lawrence’s quality of life.
2008 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Questions/Comments? Let us know at parksrec@ci.lawrence.ks.us.
