The Flame – July 2010

Due to the ongoing winter storm, City facilities, including City Hall and all Parks, Recreation and Culture facilities, will be closed on Tuesday, Feb. 18. This is due to the forecasted winter storm resulting in dangerous travel conditions.

Read the news release for full details >>

In this issue:

  • National Park & Recreation Month
  • City offers grants to improve energy efficiency
  • City Commission approves 15-minute parking meters in Downtown Lawrence
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Ways to Stay Connected to the City of Lawrence

golfer

National Park & Recreation Month

Now is a great time to visit your local parks.

Week of July 1

  • 7/2 – Buck Night – Cool off at the Outdoor Aquatic Center, 8th and Kentucky Streets, or make a splash at the Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive. Everyone swims for only $1 after 5 p.m.
  • Pick up a Park and Path Map – Did you know Lawrence has more city parks than there are days in the month of July? Stop by any recreation facility and pick a map up today!
  • A.M. Walking Club – Seniors can make new friends while maintaining an active lifestyle at East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 E. 15th Street. Open from 7-10 a.m. every Monday through Friday. Week of July 4
  • Golf at Eagle Bend – Take advantage of the Twilight Special at Eagle Bend Golf Course and Learning Center, 1250 E. 902 Road, below the Clinton Lake Dam, where $20 covers 9 holes and a cart after 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Special runs through Aug. 31.
  • Adopt-A-Park – Participate in the Adopt-A-Park program and assist with keeping City parks clean and free of trash and debris. Organizations, groups and families are invited to participate. Please contact Robert Wilson at the Community Building at (785) 832-7920.
  • South Park Wading Pool – Stay cool by taking the kids to South Park Wading Pool, 1141 Massachusetts Street. The Wading Pool is open to children 6 and under from 1:30-7 p.m. every Monday through Friday, and 1-6 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 7. Week of July 11
  • Tennis Lessons – Our qualified instructors teach group lessons that focus on the fundamentals and techniques of tennis to all ages. Lessons start this week, so be sure to register before it’s too late! Check out our Summer/Fall Activities Guide at www.lprd.org for more information.
  • 7/17 – Kids Night Out: Froggy Fun – Does your child love games, pizza, crafts and swimming? Register for Kids Night Out at the Outdoor Aquatic Center by Thursday, July 15. Check out our Summer/Fall Activities Guide at www.lprd.org for more information.
  • Disc Golf – Print out a scorecard at www.lprd.org and challenge your friends to a game at one of the city’s two disc golf courses. Week of July 18
  • 7/18 – Wedding Dance Crash Course – Prepare for that upcoming wedding by learning the steps to several traditional dances. Check out our Summer/Fall Activities Guide at www.lprd.org for more information.
  • 7/23 – Family Fun Friday – Relax and unwind at the Outdoor Aquatic Center, 8th and Kentucky Streets. Enjoy live music, a supervised craft room for kids, and $1 hot dogs after 5 p.m. all for the price of daily admission.
  • Archery, Beginners and Archery Club – Children ages 7-16 can work on their Olympic-style archery skills at Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper Street. Check out our Summer/Fall Activities Guide at www.lprd.org for more information. Week of July 25
  • Reserve a shelter – Throw an end of summer party or find something else to celebrate. Call the Community Building at (785) 832-7920 for rental information.

There are many other recreational opportunities in Lawrence. Visit www.lprd.org today to learn more!

City offers grants to improve energy efficiency

Development Services program focuses on weatherization of homes

The City of Lawrence Development Services Division has funding available for weatherizing homes in Lawrence. Grants are available to homeowners for the purposes of adding attic insulation, replacing or repairing storm windows, and for weather-stripping of entry doors. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis; applications are accepted from August 1 through August 31, 2010.

  • Homeowners must meet the following guidelines to apply:
  • The home must not have received grant funding from the city for weatherization projects previously.
  • The home must be owner-occupied with no more than two dwelling units.
  • Home ownership must be verified.
  • Annual gross family income cannot exceed the guidelines.

Applications are available at the office of Planning and Development Services located at 1 Riverfront Plaza, Level 1, Suite 110. For more information call (785) 832-7700 or contact our staff through our web site at www.lawrenceks.org/pds.

All forms must be submitted to the city no later than August 31, 2010. Please include evidence of family gross income for the proceeding year (income tax return 1040, Social Security Benefits, etc.).

City Commission approves 15-minute parking meters in Downtown Lawrence

parking meters

If you aren’t planning to spend the day in Downtown Lawrence and only need a few minutes to run an errand, the Lawrence City Commission recently approved the placement of 15-minute parking meters in each block. The meters will be located in the mid-block with two meters for both the west and east sides of Massachusetts Street. The meters will be in place in early July and will be clearly marked as 15-minute meters. Fifteen-minute meters will cost 25-cents.

For those planning to stay a little longer in Downtown, there is plenty of parking in lots or in the parking garages. Visit www.lawrenceks.org/parking for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where does Lawrence’s water come from?

A: The City of Lawrence’s drinking water sources are the Kansas River and the Clinton Reservoir. A small amount of water is also pumped from alluvial wells. Where your water comes from at any given time depends on where in town you live, the current demand for water, and operational circumstances.

Q: What causes taste or odor changes in my tap water?

A: Because of water’s different sources and the different ways in which water is treated, its characteristics vary from place to place. The Lawrence’s water system meets all EPA standards for water quality. Occasional changes to Lawrence’s source water may have an effect on the smell/taste/appearance of your drinking water. Aesthetic changes do not affect the safety of your drinking water.

Ways to Stay Connected to the City of Lawrence

E-mail

The City of Lawrence offers multiple e-mail lists for meeting agendas, city news, development information, neighborhood news, recreation, recycling and more! Go to www.lawrenceks.org/subscriptions to sign up.

Social Media

  • www.facebook.com/CityofLawrence
  • www.twitter.com/lawrenceks

Channel 25

Tune into Channel 25 on Sunflower Broadband Cable to find city information. City Commission meetings are broadcast at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesdays.