West Lawrence Neighborhood Association:   Parks and Walkways

An excellent neighborhood group is working on creating neighborhood parks, walkways and green space.   Those who are leading this effort are:

• Susan Chi, 1005 Stoneridge Dr., 832-8622
• Amy & James Bartle, 701 Fox Chase Ct., 843-4505
• Becky Mullins, 1113 Stoneridge Dr., 832-0779
• Olga Stratton, 906 Summerfield Pl., 842-6467
• Raquel Mayer Alexander, 1204 Waverly Dr., 832-8903

If you have a concern or would like to volunteer, please contact Susan Chi at 832-8622. Send Email

The creation of parks and walkways is neither simple nor easy.   Some of the reasons for this are that

• developers tend to be more interested in getting good returns for their investments than in creating parks and walkways (which may decrease returns on their investments),
  
  
• the City has to respond to too many demands to devote a large amount of time to parks and walkways,
  
  
• once a need has been established, the City is generally not able to respond quickly, and that
  
  
• parks and walkways cost money, both to establish and to maintain.

The Neighborhood Association's Parks Committee is taking steps to establish parks and green space for our neighborhood by

• talking to other neighbors to identify their concerns,
  
  
• meeting with City officials to identify available resources and to determine what factors affect the development of parks in our neighborhood, and
  
  
• publicizing the group's efforts in order to generate community-wide support.

In June 2004 the Parks Committee obtained from the City's Parks and Recreation Commission a unanimous recommendation that a Park and Green Space Master Plan be developed for our neighborhood and established a funding level.   Meetings were held on November 22 and December 13, 2004 at Langston Hughes Elementary School for the purpose of obtaining the views of residents on the development of parks, walkways, green space and related facilities.   The meetings were well attended.   Additional comments on the proposed plan were taken until January 31, 2005.

On April 12, 2005 the Parks and Recreation Commission approved a plan and forwarded it to the City Commission for final approval and funding.   Completion of all the proposed parks and walkways was expected to cost about $800,000.

Here is the map of the greenbelt:

Here is the map of the playground area at the corner of George Williams Way and Harvard Road:

A proposal for the issuance of bonds to support the development of parks was passed by the City Commission on February 21, 2006.   The funding included $500,000 for park development in our area.   On August 8, 2006 the City Commission reduced the funding for the first phase of park development to $200,000.

On September 20, 2006 the Parks Department held a meeting to obtain public comment.   Most of the comments and spirited debate centered on the relative merits of trails and playgrounds, with the majority favoring trail development.   At the City Commission on October 24, 2006, the Parks Department presented a plan for the first phase of park development.   Several neighbors attended in support and Susan Chi presented petitions in favor of trail development signed by almost 400 residents.   The City Commission approved the plan unanimously.   The plan included $120,000 for trail development and $80,000 for playground development.   Almost all of the money was allocated for trail development is for trails along the gas pipeline and the west leg, which goes south to Harvard and Billings Parkway (15th Street).

Currently (on July 2, 2007),

• The section the trail along the gas pipeline between Stonecreek and Harvard is complete.   Part is made of concrete and part is made of ag-lime.   This connects to the north end of the nature trail.
  
  
• The ag-lime trail from Harvard to Harvard is complete.
  
  
• The concrete trail between Harvard and 15th Street (Billings Parkway) is about 70% complete.   Access ramps have been added on the south end, donated by LRM Company.   Final completion will be done next year or the year after.
  
  
• The Nature Trail between Stonecreek and Waverly Drive is about 85% complete.   Work on this will probably continue through the summer, as time and Parks Department staffing allow.   Some bridges are needed.
  
  
• The Parks Department has installed most of the concrete, rock walls and drinking fountain in the playground area along George Williams Way.
  
  
• The AIAS club from the University of Kansas (Architect students) are ready to proceed with the building of the outdoor classroom that they designed.   The bridge is on hold until later.   Although the footings are in and the deck is almost complete. some work remains.   This is a service project for the students, who design and build the classroom.   They are a enthusiastic and talented group.
  
  
• Another University club (GRID) is working on a design for the play area.   However, the $40,000 of funding for the playground has been put on hold due to city-wide budget shortfalls.   This project and many others funded by sales tax will not be completed in 2007 as originally planned.
  
  
• Several foot bridges are still needed in the area of 15th Street (Billings Parkway) and along the nature trail.

Mark A Hecker (832-3454), Superintendent of Parks & Maintenance for the City has additional information.

Park developments in our area have shown that the efforts of neighbors can improve our neighborhood.   In several areas, neighbors are still concerned about the appearance of the trail.   Although additional funding will probably be very limited in the near future, neighbors are encouraged to discuss their concerns with each other and with the Neighborhood Association.   With continued effort and patient persistence, much additional progress can be made.

The City has been granted an easement for the preservation and use of the eastern leg of the gas pipeline, between Stonecreek and Billings Parkway (15th Street).   To see the document creating the easement, click here.

For further information, contact Susan Chi at 832-8622. Send Email

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Last updated on 7/2/07.