Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department has developed programming for the winter season.
The department is trying to facilitate programming this winter despite the pandemic. As previously released at the beginning of December, the department announced it wouldn’t hold programs in January; however, it would review the situation after the first of the year and determine if programming might be able to be held. Evaluation has taken place, and it has been determined with the assistance of our community public health partners that program registration may begin for shortened sessions in some areas. Aquatic fitness and lifelong recreation programming will begin next week with a short two-week program, while the majority of fitness, dance, martial arts, gymnastics and nature programming are set to start in February. Youth Sports and Adult Sports are currently taking registrations for winter leagues. Additional programming will be added weekly as long as conditions are appropriate.
To find what is being offered, please visit: http://lawks.us/3hJfrtx.
Enrollment is now open online at https://lawks.us/2KAT9v2. It is also being taken at all Parks and Recreation Department facilities with some operating with reduced hours. This includes:
Community Building, 115 West 11th St.; East Lawrence Recreation Center; Holcom Park Recreation Center, 2700 West 27th St.; Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive; Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St.; Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Lane and the Administrative Offices in South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St. Please be sure to note the modified hours at the facilities listed below.
Conditions will be continued to be monitored and reviewed in consultation with our public health professionals. Status updates will continue to be updated every Thursday to indicate the current risk level using green, yellow, orange or red based on the number of new cases, trends and percentage of positive COVID-19 test to mirror Lawrence-Douglas County Health’s recommendations being used for the Smart and Safe School Reopening Guidelines and Status for county schools. Individuals may find the current status by visiting the department website or the department social media platforms, Twitter and Facebook.
The current code is YELLOW.
Each category color lists specific guidelines for the type of activity that can be held at a location and any limitations that will be required during participation. These recommendations may also change as more information about the pandemic is learned and how it affects the community.
Masks will continue to be required for everyone at all times in any parks and recreation facility. This will include when working out with weights and cardio equipment or using the track area at Sports Pavilion Lawrence. Touchless temperature checks will be available for all entering a facility. Sports Pavilion Lawrence will use keycards for entry. All other facilities will have sign-in sheets, requiring name and phone number for any contact tracing that may need to occur.
Recreation facilities will continue with limited hours for drop-in weight room/cardio area use. No drop-in basketball will be available at any recreation center. The turf area will continue to not be available for drop-in use at Sports Pavilion Lawrence. Also, game areas at Holcom Park Recreation Center and East Lawrence Recreation Center will only be available when the status is in green category.
Drop-in Pickleball will only be available when the Smart and Safe Guidelines and Status is in the green category. Pickleball will be available at Sports Pavilion Lawrence and East Lawrence Recreation Center at specified hours when the status is in the green category; however, recreational courts may be rented by the hour for team practices and pickleball at hourly rates only during the specified hours listed below. Please contact each recreation center for availability and pricing.
The following will continue to be the modified hours for general public use and registration at each of the recreation facilities.
Community Building, 115 W. 11th St. (785) 832-7920
10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Monday–Friday
1-4 p.m. Sunday
Due to construction, entry at the Community Building will only be allowed on the southwest side of the building, using the elevator.
East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 E. 15th St. (785) 832-7950
9 a.m. – Noon / 5-8 p.m. Monday-Friday
1-4 p.m. Sunday
Noon – 3 p.m. – Tuesday and Friday for Public Showers
Holcom Park Recreation Center (785) 832-7940
Noon – 7 p.m. Monday-Friday
1-4 p.m. Sunday
Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Lane (785) 330-7355
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. / 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday
Limited visitors will be welcome at Prairie Park Nature Center. Animals will not be made available for touching. Visitors will be limited to 15 people in the building at a time and may be limited to a 30-minute time limit. The nature center will have the following hours for public visitation:
Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St. (785) 832-7980
9 a.m. – Noon Tuesday- Friday
1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
The Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive, will continue to be open for only lap swimming and warm water workouts. The zero-depth and children’s area, as well as the diving area will continue to be closed for open swim until a date that is yet to be determined.
The hours are:
Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive (785) 832-7946 (SWIM)
Lap Swimming
6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday
1-6 p.m. Sunday
Warm Water Workout
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday-Friday
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 addition information regarding Park and Recreation activities, contact the department at (785) 832-3450, parksrec@lawrenceks.org.