Reopening plans for Parks and Recreation released
With the City of Lawrence releasing its reopening plan earlier today plans for reopening the Parks and Recreation Department is providing a detailed look at the phased reopening of department programs, facilities and services.
Mirroring Governor Laura Kelly’s phased approach, the plan continues to keep the health and safety of the Lawrence community as its top priority. The plan has been worked on in a coordinated effort with City of Lawrence leadership and the Douglas County Public Health professionals.
In Phase 1-1.5 there are no additional changes from what was begun in March.
Phase 2 of the plan will begin no earlier than Monday, June 1, and includes the opening of outdoor sports facilities for team practices only. Park restrooms will also open. The plan allows for the starting of the licensed Summer Playgrounds program Monday, June 1. Enrollment for Summer Playgrounds will begin tomorrow, 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, online only. Patrons can enroll at: http://lawks.us/2A1gD67. For those requesting scholarships, please contact parks and recreation at (785) 832-3450 for process information.
Phase 3 of the plan will begin no earlier than Monday, June 15, and will open the outdoor sports facilities for games and scrimmages. The Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive, will open for lap swimming, water walking and programming only. There will be no open swim. The tentative hours will be:
Lap pool
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday- Friday
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturdays
1-6 p.m. Sundays
Leisure Pool (Lap Swimming/Water Walking – NO OPEN SWIMMING)
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday-Friday
Also as part of Phase 3, Parks and Recreation programming will begin at the recreation facilities; however, the facilities will not open for general public use, which means the weight and cardio rooms will not open at any facility nor will there be open gym time available for free play. Also, the walking track at Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Lane, will not be open for general public use. However, the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office, 1141 Massachusetts St., will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and shelter and facility rentals/reservations and right-of-way street permits will be accepted for dates after Wednesday, July 15.
Information on enrollment in department programs and activities that begin after Monday, June 15, will be released later this week.
The Phase Out period of the plan will begin no earlier than Monday, June 29, and will see the reopening of recreation centers for general public use including: Sports Pavilion Lawrence; Holcom Park Recreation Center, 2700 West 27th St.; Community Building, 115 W. 15th St.; East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 E. 15th St. and Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St.
The Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky St., and the South Park Wading Pool, 1141 Massachusetts St., will remain closed for the summer season.
For more information, on the City’s phased reopening plan, please visit: www.lawrenceks.org/coronavirus. For the detailed phased reopening of Parks and Recreation, please visit https://lawrenceks.org/coronavirus/lprd-phased-plan/.
As the conditions surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to change, the City wants to assure everyone that it is closely monitoring the latest information and will make necessary changes as warranted. The health and safety of our community and employees will continue to be our top priority.
For more information, please contact the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Administration, parksrec@lawrenceks.org or (785) 832-3450.