Parks & Outdoors

Explore Lawrence on foot or by bike.

• Lawrence Loop
• Lawrence Trail and Bike Map

Lawrence Parks, Recreation and Culture Department makes safety a primary concern with its facilities, parks and trails. We suggest the following precautions to ensure safety for all:

• Be aware of your surroundings
• Get to know your neighborhood and community parks (entrances and access points, sight-lines, walkways and distance to destination points)
• Jog, hike or bike with a friend
• Carry a cell phone (if possible)
• Stay in well lit areas at night
• Avoid remote areas of the park
• Keep your car keys ready when approaching your car in a parking lot
• Stay in an area where you can see others involved in activities in the park
• Avoid travel in areas where groups may be mingling that may make you uncomfortable
• Avoid shrubbery or landscaping that might hide sight-lines and good visibility
• Avoid heavily-wooded areas when hiking or biking alone
• Educate children about talking to strangers and all other park safety rules
• Know where and how to report any suspicious activities to police
• Place valuables (purses, watches, billfolds etc.) out of sight or in trunk when leaving car unattended while on trails or in parks

If you have concerns about any of our parks, trails or facilities, please let us know at (785) 832-3450.

Per City Ordinance, public parks will be open daily to the public from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Burcham Park is open 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Variances from these hours require a Special Use Permit granted by the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. (Code 15-208)

• Shelter/gazebo, park, and trail reservations are allowed from April 15 through October 30. Reservations may be taken up to one year in advance of the date being requested. Reservations not requiring a Special Use Permit can be made online.
• Winter season runs October 31 through April 14 for shelter/gazebos, parks, and trails. No reservations will be taken for dates during the winter season. Seasonal restrooms are closed. Water and electricity are turned off. Parks are available for general park use (not for events requiring a Special Use Permit).
• Heated restrooms are open year-round at the Rotary Arboretum (8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday-Friday only when other restrooms are closed for the season).
• Alcohol provided to invited guests only and not for sale is allowed for shelter and park reservations with an Alcohol Use Fee. Alcohol Use Fee Applications are available for patrons 21 years of age or older (proof of age required) for an additional $25 fee. The drinking or consumption of cereal malt beverage must be conducted in accord with the reasonable conditions established by the permit (Code 4-203 C3). Additional permits for alcohol sales or alcohol possession outside of park boundaries may be necessary. Kansas Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control regulates alcohol and should be consulted for specific questions at https://www.ksrevenue.org/abcindex.html
• Reservations for shelters/gazebos, parks, and trails can be made online. Reservations may also be made in-person at any Parks, Recreation and Culture facility that takes reservations during reservation hours.
• Full payment is due at time of reservation. Fees follow published fee schedule. Reservations that require park space in addition to shelter/gazebo rental have additional fees.
• Reservations must be made at least three (3) business days in advance.
• Unreserved shelters are available on a first-come, first serve basis (no amenities or scheduled cleaning provided).
• Shelters/Gazebo Reservations are non-refundable.
• Decorations are welcome so long as they are held up with string, ribbon, or painters tape. Prohibited materials include nails, staples, screws, putty, Command strips or any other adhesive material.
• The party reserving shelters/gazebos and parks shall be responsible for the clean-up. Glass bottles are discouraged. Shelters left uncleaned after a reservation may impact the ability to make future reservations or may result in a damage deposit prior to reservations.
• Reservation provides use of the selected shelter, park area, or trail but does not exclude general public use of adjacent space or amenities including restrooms, playgrounds and trails.
• Shelters and amenities will be available during reserved times only. Daytime reservations are available from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Requests for early entry or late departure should be coordinated with Parks, Recreation and Culture at time of reservation and are subject to staff availability. Shelter/gazebo keys, restroom keys, trail access gate keys, locked water spigot keys, and access to electrical boxes are not available for members of the public (staff only).

Special Use Permits are required for reservations that:

1. Have group sizes over 200 people
2. Are open to the public
3. Have admission fees
4. Include items or services available for sale at a profit
5. Where alcohol will be sold or served to the public
6. That involve a tent larger than 10’ by 10’
7. That include an inflatable play structure
8. Where commercial film/professional videography or comparable photography will be held

Special Use Permit requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance and receive written approval.

A Certificate of Insurance and deposit may be required.

Public health orders and guidance pertaining to group sizes and compliance should be followed.

Fill out a Special Use Permit(PDF, 178KB)  and submit to parksrec@lawrenceks.gov

The use of tobacco products or smoking delivery devices in buildings and parks is prohibited.

No person shall throw or deposit litter in any park (also includes fountains, ponds, lakes, or streams) within the city except in public containers and in such a manner that the litter will be prevented from being carried or deposited by the elements upon any part of the park or upon any street or other public place. (Code 14-100) Glass bottles are discouraged in all locations.

Litter must be put in public trash receptacles or carried away from the park and properly disposed of elsewhere. (Code 14-109)

Posters and fliers may not be affixed to any lamppost or utility pole, shade tree, trash receptacle or public structure or building unless authorized by law or approved by the City Commission. (Code 14-117)

Dogs and cats in public parks must be on a leash and physically under their keepers’ control. Owners are required to dispose of pet waste properly. (1-107; 3-202)

Motorized vehicles are prohibited in public parks, except for roadways and parking lots. (17-216)

Horses are not allowed in any public park in the City (Code 16-101). No person shall drive or ride, lead or permit any domestic animal or drive any vehicle in any public park in the City except in and along especially prepared driveways. City code shall not be construed to prohibit any person from permitting a dog, cat or other small domestic animal in any portion of a public park when the animal is on a leash in the control of such person. (Code 16-102)

Purposefully damaging or destroying any plant, tree, vine, or flower is prohibited. (Code 14-303)

Interference with public property such as damage to any person or animal or Public Park is prohibited. (Code 14-309)

No person shall damage, remove, break, or modify a landmark. (Code 14-310)

No person shall intentionally damage, cut, carve, transplant, or remove any tree, attach any rope, wire, nails, advertising poster or other contrivance to any tree, or allow any fire, gaseous liquid, or solid substance which is harmful to such trees. (Code 18-107)

All persons need to have a license as required by law to fish (except persons age 65 or older and under age 16 as allowed by law)

State daily creel limits apply

Length limit for large bass is 15” minimum

Limit of 2 fish per day on channel catfish

No Swimming in City lakes

Boating on a City lake is restricted

No flotation devices of any kind in City lakes

Except in designated barbecue pits or fire pits, a permit from the fire chief is required before burning is allowed on public property or in City parks. Fires must be constantly attended and completely extinguished before being left alone. (8-202.25)

It is prohibited to camp on a public or private shelter. Camping includes making any fire for the purposes of warmth, or of cooking, preparations to sleep, storing personal belongings or tent set up. (Code 14-417A)

Metal detecting is allowed. All persons must only dig small holes and replace any disturbed soil /grass.

Dogs inside City dog parks are not required to be on a leash. Owners are required to dispose of pet waste properly. (Code 1-107; 3-202)

All dogs declared to be dangerous are not permitted to use the dog parks and shall not be allowed on the premises. (Code 3-302)

Abide by signs along the trails defining the off-leash dog areas.

No dogs under four months of age or female dogs in heat are allowed in the areas.

Dogs must be on-leash when entering and exiting the designated off-leash areas and under control at all times. No spiked or pinch collars. One leash per dog.

All dogs must be legally vaccinated and shall wear a visible license. Dogs should also wear an owner identification tag at all times.

Owners must be 16 years old or older. Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

Owners must fill all holes dug by dogs under their control.

Dogs must be leashed and removed from the off-leash dog areas at the first sign of aggression.

Owners are responsible for any injuries caused by dogs under their control.

Patrons using facilities do so at their own risk. Neither the City of Lawrence nor the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shall be liable for any injury or damaged caused by any dog or owner in designated areas.

It is prohibited to interfere with public business in a public building when one is purposely disrupting or hindering, refusing or failing to leave any such public building upon being requested, obstructing any public official or employee through the use of restraint, intimidation or by force and violence or threat. (Code 14-311)

Vandalism or damage to property by graffiti is illegal. Vandalizing or damaging any public property, publicly owned or privately owned, without the consent of the property owner is punishable by a fine of not less than $250 or more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Code 14- 1002)

Criminal damage such as injuring, damaging, ruining, destroying or extensively impairing the use of a public park can result in a fine and/or misdemeanor.

Failure to follow all rules and regulations and make required payments may result in forfeiture of rental deposit, additional damage charges, and denial of further use of City facilities.

BB guns, airsoft, paintball guns: Pneumatic or other devices that can propel a projectile are not allowed in our City Parks and open spaces . These devices include airsoft and paintballs which would not be permitted in our parks without prior written permission by the Parks, Recreation and Culture Director.

Items of an emergency nature can be addressed 24 hours a day, 7 days per week through calling the Parks, Recreation and Culture On-Call Number (785) 832-7923. A response will occur within 30 minutes. Emergencies are impacts to public safety or property that need immediate attention such as a water pipe burst or electrical failures.

Pesticide Reduction

In May 2005, the Lawrence City Commission asked the then Parks and Recreation Department, (now the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department)
to select a park to conduct a pilot program, maintaining it as a pesticide-free area for a
one-year period. Department staff chose Watson Park in Downtown Lawrence for the program.

During this time, the department experimented with non-pesticide products to manage weeds,
insects and fungi in the park, as well as develop a volunteer network to help manage the space.
Volunteers assisted in the park by weeding the flower and shrub beds.

Additional steps being taken to reduce citizen exposure to pesticides:

• All pesticides purchased for the 2006 growing season and beyond will be EPA Category III and IV pesticides, which
  will also reduce chemical applications to the least toxic option for each control issue.
• When pesticide use is necessary, signs will be posted one hour prior to application.
  They will be placed in highly visible areas and remain up for 24 hours after application.
  The notification signs will include: the name and active ingredient of the pesticide product,
  the target pest, the date of pesticide use, and contact information for the city department.

For those wanting specific information on their neighborhood park and its pesticide program, please contact the Parks, Recreation and Culture Administrative Office at parksrec@lawrenceks.gov or (785) 832-3450.

In 2008, a Integrated Pest Management program was created by department staff with input from the public. A IPM Policy Manual was created as an on-going working document for the department The following is the Manual: ipmpolicy.pdf(PDF, 346KB)

The Plant Health Care Program is designed to maintain healthy and vigorous park plantings beneficial to the public.

We strive to provide environmental and beautification benefits to the public by planting trees, shrubs and turfgrass on public properties.

Cultural Practices:

Turf:

1. Mow high – 3.5 to 4 inches. Mowing high chokes out weeds and reduces turf stress. Cut with a sharp blade to avoid disease.
2. Do not bag clippings. Recycled clippings return nutrients to the soil.
3. Aerate soil to improve movement of air, water, and nutrients in the turf root zone.
4. Reseed bare areas and overseed turf areas with certified weed-free seed. Select proper species for site and climate. Fall seeding is excellent for rebuilding turf.
5. Use natural slow-release fertilizers in high-use areas to sustain healthy turf on a consistent basis.

Landscape:

1. Select proper plants for the site and climate. Group plants based on water, fertilizer, and care requirements.
2. Prepare soil prior to planting to promote root growth.
3. Practice proper watering, mulching, fertilizing, and pruning techniques. This allows growing healthy, vigorous plants by reducing the environmental stress factors.
4. Monitor pests on susceptible host plants and adjust maintenance program to accommodate field conditions.
5. Remove plants with extensive insect and disease problems.

Evaluation:

1. Monitor effectiveness of cultural and chemical practices.
2. Field checks are regularly conducted to monitor pest problems.
3. Determine if the problem warrants treatment.
4. Establish sustainable and tolerable levels of undesirable pests and still maintain good health and appearance of the parks.
5. Understand Kansas is in a transitional climate zone and our plants may be exposed to additional stress. This requires more frequent monitoring of pests.

Education/licensing:

1. Staff receive continuing education to learn about plant selections.
2. Staff receive continuing education about current less-toxic products.
3. Staff are taught to properly identify pest problems.
4. All pesticides are applied under the direction of certified applicators.

Treatment program:

1. Pesticide application is used only when cultural practices are not adequate to control pests or disease problems.
2. Select least-toxic alternatives when chemicals are necessary for control.
3. Staff members are licensed applicators and responsibly follow label directions according to the law and EPA Guidelines.
4. Practice spot treatment – treating only affected areas and using strategies that are sensitive to the needs of the public and the environment.
5. Signs are posted when applications are being made to inform the public. Applications are also scheduled during non-peak times of park use.
6. The Lawrence Parks, Recreation and Culture Department follows a National Park Standard of Excellence. This means levels of tolerated damage to plants by pests are different in different parks. The level of horticulture or turf maintenance is adjusted accordingly and we do not spray every pest in every park.

What we are doing:

Minimizing the use of any toxic or hazardous materials in the maintenance and operation of parks to the extent possible, using the following methods.

1. Cultural practices to reduce necessity of chemical pest control.
2. Evaluation of current practices by using a results oriented process.
3. Continuing education for staff.
4. Selective treatment program.
5. Setting future goals for program and striving to achieve them.

Future Goals Include:

1. Reducing use of pesticides and any related costs without compromising the Plant Health Care Program, aesthetic quality, or recreational needs of our park system.
2. Seeking less hazardous alternatives to conventional synthetic pesticides to improve public benefits.
3. Periodic review of results and progress made by staff and others.

Please direct questions or informational requests to the Horticulture (785)832-7979 or Turf Management Divisions (785-832-7971) of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department, parksrec@lawrenceks.gov.

Choosing the right tree starts with matching the species to the planting site. This guide highlights preferred trees for Northeast Kansas and provides information about mature size, environmental tolerances, pest resistance, and landscape features such as flowers, fruit, fall color, and ornamental bark. Use the guide to select trees suited to your site’s conditions and available space.

Check out the Preferred Trees for Northeast Kansas official list. Sourced from www.KansasForest.org

nekansaspreferredtrees.pdf(PDF, 259KB)

Selecting a tree(PDF, 183KB)

Selecting where to plant a tree(PDF, 205KB)

Emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed in Douglas County in September 2015. Since that time, the Kansas Department of Agriculture and USDA have placed Douglas County in quarantine for firewood and other ash wood materials.

Firewood and other ash wood materials cannot be moved from Douglas County in an effort to limit the spread of EAB. EAB is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Once a tree is infected with EAB, the tree will not be able to survive and will die. Emerald ash borer probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia.

Douglas County was added to the quarantine which also includes the counties Johnson, Leavenworth, Jefferson and Wyandotte. The City of Lawrence’s Forestry Division is working to develop plans to mitigate the effects of EAB on our local tree population. Over the coming weeks, the city will develop educational materials for homeowners to identify ash trees, check for signs of EAB infestation and provide homeowners can do to treat trees and/or remove them.

Lawrence KS EAB Readiness Response Plan(PDF, 1MB) (update 2017)

EAB Handout(PDF, 5MB) (from Kansas Forest Services, K-State Research and Extension)