Welcome to the Water Tower Park Playground and Park Area Project page! The City of Lawrence is excited to continue working with the nearby neighbors and the community to develop a new playground and park area at Water Tower Park, designed to provide a safe, inclusive, fun and pleasant space for families and children to play, connect and enjoy this beloved neighborhood park.
This project is a collaboration between the City and the community, ensuring the playground reflects the needs and ideas of nearby residents. We are seeking input on playground features, design elements, and overall interests to make this space a cherished part of your neighborhood.
Have a thought you want to share? Please email us at parksrec@lawrenceks.org
Background
- 2022 – $125,000 was allocated in the City’s 2022 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for reconstruction of Water Tower Park
- June 2022: Due to construction delays with the water tower, Water Tower Park was not ready for redevelopment in 2022, and the funding was reallocated elsewhere with plans to submit a new CIP item in future years.
- March 2023: Public engagement continues, including a public survey and neighborhood planning meeting to inform the development of a new Capital Improvement Project for the park
- May 2023: Community discussion of play structures, funding sources, and park layout
- Summer/Fall 2023 Park Concept Plan
- Fall 2024: If approved, park improvements will begin after the water tower construction has been competed
- Project was funded as a 2025 CIP project with a $185,000, all-inclsuive budget
Community Meetings
2/26/25 – Neighborhood meeting at Hillcrest Elementary School – 40 Hillcrest residents attended the meeting and reviewed updates related to the park area and playground. At the end of the meeting, everyone provided their top playground selection and submitted their notes.
12/16/24 – Neighborhood meeting at the Parks, Recreation and Culture adminstration building in South Park – 27 Hillcrest residents attended the meeting, reviewed updates and offered their thoughts about the park area and playground.