Highways 24; 40 & 59, by the Kansas River
Management
As part of the landfill closing requirements, the solid waste was covered with one to three feet of topsoil. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment requires that the City continue to monitor and maintain the security of the landfill site to ensure that the solid waste does not become a danger to the health and welfare of the citizens of the area.
The topographic characteristics of the wildlife area are constantly changing due to uneven decay of the solid waste, occasional flooding, erosion, the action of burrowing wildlife, periods of drought, and earth settling. As sink holes appear, uneven setting occurs and some refuse may rise to the surface. The City is required to restore the surface to a fairly level condition and maintain proper drainage. Action is also needed to minimize penetration of animal life deep in the refuse. Corrective action may be required annually. The City Public Works Department works close with the Parks and Recreation Department to ensure that maintenance activities create minimum disturbance to the established desirable vegetation. Re-seeding of native grasses may occur periodically.
Controlled burns are an excellent means of managing native grass. Before man settled this area, wildfires started by lightening accomplished the same goal. Fire reduces weedy competition and encourages native plant growth and seed germination. Approximately 1/3 of the wildlife area should be burned each spring.
An enormous amount of volunteer time and interest provided major accomplishments of the master plan, developed in 1983 by Mike Watkins, then District Conservationist for the Soil Conservation Service. His continued interest and efforts of the Jayhawk Audubon Society, Douglas County Conservation District Youth Board, and numerous Eagle Scouts have created an excellent beginning for a permanent wildlife habitat for area people to utilize.
The Lawrence Bicentennial Commission spearheaded the 4-mile Kaw River Trail, from the junctions of Highways 24, 40, and 59 north to the old landfill site, which has been converted to a permanent wildlife habitat.