1100 George Williams Way
HISTORY
In March 2007, this west Lawrence park was named for Fred DeVictor, long-time director of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department at his public retirement reception. The park located north of 15th St. and George Williams Way and east of Langston Hughes Elementary School, was the last official park DeVictor worked on developing over his storied career.
In 1998, the City of Lawrence purchased more than 40 acres of land from Alvamar, Inc., for $505,000. The master plan for DeVictor Park was presented to the City Commission in May 2005. In its beginning it was known as Greenbelt Park or simply as “the Greenbelt” because the park looked like a belt that encircled the neighborhood in which it serves. Through a series of public meetings with the West Lawrence Neighborhood Association, public input was gathered in regards to the amenities of the park.
Since that time, the park has been further developed and includes an outside classroom designed by the Kansas chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students at the University of Kansas. It is used by classes from across the street at Langston Hughes Elementary School.
DESCRIPTION OF PARK
This park was designed to help preserve open space in the fast-developing migration to West Lawrence. Approximately half of the tract will be left natural, and recreational trails will run throughout the greenbelt loop, providing access to the park from surrounding neighborhoods and streets. An abundance of wildlife, native grasses and trees give park users a sense of seclusion from their daily activities.
The section of the park adjacent to Langston Hughes Elementary School has a natural playground area and an outdoor classroom/stage.
Amenities include:
- Native Grass Area with a berm to screen the park from residents at the southern end of the park area
- Mowed Grass Area
- Picnic Tables
- Benches Along the Trail
- Playground
- An Outdoor Classroom Area
- Water Fountain
- Outdoor Treehouse
- A trail throughout the park and around the “greenbelt” area.
SHELTERS
There are no shelters in DeVictor Park.
If you are looking to reserve an outdoor shelters and/or indoor facility, reservations are taken at any of the community recreation centers including the Community Building, 115 West 11th St.; East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 East 15th St.; Holcom Park Recreation Center, 2700 West 27th St.; Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive; or Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Lane. For questions or more information on Special Use Permits, please call the Administrative Office at (785) 832-3450 or email parksrec@lawrenceks.org. See our shelter rentals page for more information on renting these facilities or call (785) 832-7920.