The Flame – August 2013

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In this month’s issue…

Residents Finding ‘Common Ground’

Lawrence’s Community Gardens Already Producing Fruitful Experiences for Gardeners and Community

Members of the community tour one of the recent additions to the Common Ground Program, the Permacommons Garden at 1304 Pennsylvania. This community garden is one of seven total Common Ground sites where Lawrence residents are leasing city property to grow food. The Permacommons is managed by the nonprofi t Sustainability Action Network and is intended as a learning laboratory for neighbors and others to learn about permaculture and food production.

The Common Ground Program is a community gardening and urban agriculture program created by the City of Lawrence in 2012. The program’s goal is to transform vacant or under-utilized city properties into vibrant sites of healthy food production for our citizens.

In addition to increasing the availability of fresh, healthy produce in our city’s neighborhoods, these gardens have impacts far beyond their boundaries. In exchange for receiving a free license for use of city property, each grower/ applicant creates a Community Benefit Plan for their project.

In 2012, four sites participated as part of the Common Ground Program. These four sites were tended by 41 gardeners and 640 volunteers or community participants. The gardeners provided a combined 59 community work days and/or classes to the Lawrence community with topics ranging from compost to tree pruning.

Combined, the gardens produced approximately 5,800-pounds of produce with a market value estimated at $11,700. The gardens donated 550-pounds of the produce to local organizations.

County/City Sustainability Coordinator, Jasmin Moore said, “In addition to increasing the availability of fresh, healthy produce in our city’s neighborhoods, these sites also provided space for healthy recreation and community connections between citizens.”

The program has expanded to seven sites in 2013. For more information, or to sign up for a plot next year, visit: www.lawrenceks.org/common_ground.

Garage Sale Season

Find Out What You Need to Know Before You Sell

You do not need a permit to have a garage sale in Lawrence. There are guidelines on where signage can be placed to advertise a garage sale at your residence. Each residence is allowed to hold two garage sales per calendar year.

The only allowable placement of a garage sale sign is on the property having the sale. The sign must be no larger than 4 square-foot (2’x2′) and should not exceed 42-inches in height. Signs cannot be placed within the street right-of-way (the area between the curb and the sidewalk). The sign may be posted for the duration of the garage sale, typically 5 p.m. on Friday to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Illegal signs may be confiscated.

One directional sign may be placed on private property with the owner’s permission (an arrow sign signaling the direction of the sale placed at an intersection, etc.).

For specific information, please contact Development Services, (785) 832-7700 or www.lawrenceks.org/pds.

Welcome to Lawrence

Whether you’re new to Lawrence or lived here your entire life, the city offers residents a few tips for keeping Lawrence a great place to live, work and play

Good habits make good neighbors. Familiarize yourself with Lawrence’s good neighbor ordinances:

  • Noise — Music should not be heard outside of your house. It is illegal to play music from a vehicle that can be heard from 50-feet away.
  • Parking — Do not park on lawns or sidewalks. Vehicles parked on streets must be moved every 48-hours.
  • Pets — Animals should not disturb the peace. Animals should be under owner’s supervision and on a leash when off their owner’s property to prevent creating a hazard or disturbance to people, animals and property. On both public and private property, you are responsible for removing your pet’s excrement. Lawrence has two off-leash dog parks: Mutt Run is located at 1330 East 902, below the Clinton Lake dam. The facility includes drinking fountains, water for dogs, and rest rooms. Paths are mowed through fields and along wooded areas. The other dog park is located at Riverfront Park, at the intersection of North Second St. and Highways 24 and 40.
  • Bikes — Never park your bike where it can get in another person’s way. If you park in an alley, make sure it doesn’t block stairs or doors. It is illegal to lock your bike to a tree, fire hydrant, street sign, stop sign or streetlight. A parking meter is acceptable unless it is in front of a handicapped parking spot. Obey the rules of the road: follow the rules of the road and obey all traffic laws. Bicyclists are subject to all the same duties that are applicable to drivers. Always use hand signals to draw the driver’s attention.

For a detailed listing of city services, visit www.lawrenceks.org/pdf/streetscape.pdf. The University of Kansas has also created a program to help students understand the rights and responsibilities of living in Lawrence neighborhoods and being a welcomed member of the community. Visit their site at goodneighbor.ku.edu.

Pooch Pool Plunge: 9.3.2013

Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department’s Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky St., will once again go to the dogs 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, September 3, the day after the pool closes to the public.

The 11th annual Pooch Plunge provides local dogs the opportunity to go for a dip while their owners learn about services from local businesses. All dogs must have proof of current shots the day of the event, and must remain under their owner’s control at all times.

The fee for the event is $5 per dog. Registration will be available at the door, but owners may also preregister online at www.lprd.org. There is no charge for spectators.

End of Season Swimming Info

Don’t forget! Just a reminder, the Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive, will be closed August 4 through August 25, for annual maintenance. The center will reopen with fall operating hours beginning Monday, August 26. The annual shutdown allows staff the opportunity to perform maintenance that cannot be done when the facility is in use.

The Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky St., will be open for public swimming:

  • Daily through Wednesday, August 14, 1:00-8:45 p.m.
  • Thursday and Friday, Aug. 15-16, Fridays, Aug. 23 and Aug. 30, 4:00-8:45 p.m.
  • Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 17-18, Aug. 24-25, Aug. 31-Sept.1, 1:00-8:45 p.m.
  • Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, 1:00-8:45 p.m.
  • Tuesday Sept. 3, Closed for Season (Pooch Pool Plunge)