Master Plan

Building a Roadmap for Lawrence

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan was developed to provide a long-term roadmap for the department and the future of parks and recreation in Lawrence. The plan was supported by the community’s investment in a one-cent sales tax without a sunset provision, which provided funding for parks and recreation initiatives, along with other City and county projects.

The Master Plan established a guiding vision for the department and helped identify priorities for providing and maintaining high-quality parks, open spaces, trails, recreation facilities, and programs for the Lawrence community.

Adapting to a Changing Community

Over the years following the development of the Master Plan, Lawrence Parks and Recreation continued to evolve alongside the community.

Even during the economic recession, when many agencies across Kansas were reducing their workforce and services, the department remained focused on maintaining high-quality programs and services. By finding ways to do more with available resources, Lawrence Parks and Recreation continued moving forward and investing in services that support the quality of life in Lawrence.

While the original Master Plan is now dated, the department has continued planning for the future and engaging the community throughout the years.

Planning for Parks and Open Space

In 2002, the department developed a Master Plan for a 1,515-acre property leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The leased property later expanded to 1,612 acres and continues to be developed as community needs and available funding allow.

The original Master Plan also identified the growing need for additional recreation and facility space in Lawrence. As the community continued to grow, the department and its community partners began exploring ways to address those needs.

Understanding Community Facility Needs

During the mid-2000s, the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, Lawrence Public Schools, and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce formed a task force to conduct an in-depth assessment of community recreation facility needs.

The group, known as Partners for Lawrence Athletics and Public Youth (PLAY), completed a needs assessment and feasibility study examining potential demand and community support for competitive and recreational sports facilities.

The 2006 PLAY study evaluated indoor and outdoor sports venues in Lawrence and found strong community support for an indoor fieldhouse. Public survey participants and community stakeholders identified an indoor recreation facility as a high priority.

During this same period, Lawrence Parks and Recreation assumed responsibility for several competitive athletic leagues, including baseball, softball, and basketball. As participation and programming expanded, so did the need for additional public recreation facilities.

The department continued working with Lawrence Public Schools and other community partners to provide space for practices and recreational league games while planning for future facility development.

Listening to the Community

Community engagement has played an important role in planning for the future of Lawrence Parks and Recreation.

The department held public meetings and conducted surveys to better understand community priorities, including whether residents and program participants supported increases in fees for programs, activities, and facility use. Survey results showed strong community support for reasonable fee increases to help support parks and recreation services.

These conversations also helped inform discussions with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and continued planning for the department's future.

In 2009, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held additional public meetings to identify and prioritize the community's greatest parks and recreation needs. Residents were asked to provide input on priorities for:

Neighborhood and community parks
Trails and outdoor recreation opportunities
Indoor recreation facilities
Outdoor recreation facilities
Areas of Lawrence with the greatest need for additional services and amenities

An accompanying online survey received more than 1,000 responses from community members, providing additional insight into the needs and priorities of Lawrence residents.

Expanding Access to Parks

Citywide planning efforts have also helped shape the future of parks and recreation in Lawrence.

Through Horizon 2020, the City's comprehensive planning document at the time, Lawrence strengthened its approach to neighborhood park access by moving from a standard of providing park access within one-half mile to a goal of providing access within one-quarter mile.

The City has also conducted community satisfaction surveys to evaluate City departments and services. Lawrence Parks and Recreation has consistently received strong satisfaction ratings from residents and has been recognized as one of the City's highest-rated service areas.

Moving Forward

The development of Sports Pavilion Lawrence helped fulfill many of the priorities identified through years of planning and community engagement. The partnerships formed throughout its development also created opportunities for continued investment in Lawrence's parks and recreation system.

Today, the department continues to assess community needs and prioritize future investments in parks, trails, facilities, and recreation opportunities.

Future planning will include continued discussion with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and ongoing engagement with the community to better understand the needs, priorities, and vision of Lawrence residents.