[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6289814,"mediaKeyId","2532089-f3ab075459a6d19131182eede8799e20","parentId",2532089,"title","Liaison outlines Lawrence-Douglas County bike plan update; committee to revise bikeway network and policy","audioSeconds",399,"startMs",1128000,"endMs",1527000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532089-f3ab075459a6d19131182eede8799e20&start=1128&end=1527","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532089-f3ab075459a6d19131182eede8799e20/thumbnail_1128000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6289814/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Liaison-outlines-Lawrence-Douglas-County-bike-plan-update-committee-to-revise-bikeway-network-and-policy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289814-8b181034a0851c38346a1f9a7ee793f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167897&Signature=eop2tnuRov2rVVimLPn644d-PhewbrE7Rvz-va6rEBfgo-TaqNduZm~GapYoYBMTvrY5kDz6apRcbzZ9nteZLhVXvvt06J1BHgTqhj86dq5Ot9SB5YydhutmjRybd2fmijTXmN6waz70rGiihHqMzPTgjljjKWpZNQ2Ds-L3BCRvoVwTLX-hxwE6vVFTJuF9gPWExBgBoRVkKjpT3-hR4GsudQ3GTIZfjwjNi9eYLNpfhGxfiZuA5tNHnzSY5KZcDJu7JmH3Or3Cg2lLqpb4lVa8jjIceWjElAYZ6SqeNVtPKxoOLU38H65szugPQteL8a3d71O38VpOS1-VEoNqdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lawrence, KS","date","2025-03-07T21:30:48Z","article","John Albandian, the board’s liaison to the bike-plan steering committee, gave an overview of the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) work to revise the local bike plan.

“The bike plan is a product of the Lawrence Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization,” Albandian said, explaining that the MPO coordinates transportation planning across Lawrence, Baldwin City and Eudora.

Albandian told the board the steering committee’s anticipated tasks include reviewing the planned bikeway network with a focus on completing the Lawrence Loop, reviewing mobility issues such as pedal-assist electric bicycles, electric scooters and skateboards, confirming a community expectation for low-stress bikeway design, coordinating an update with University of Kansas bicycle planning, and aligning the bike plan with city policies including school-district connections.

He also highlighted wayfinding as an important tool for making signs and routes effective; another board member noted local familiarity with wayfinding efforts. The liaison said the committee will operate over several months and return updates to the board as they refine recommendations.

No board action was taken; the presentation was informational and the liaison said community outreach and coordination with other City plans will continue.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/10/25 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board","oneSentenceSummary","A Parks Advisory Board liaison reported that the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s bike-plan steering committee will review the bikeway network, complete the Lawrence Loop and consider rules for e-bikes, scooters and other micromobility devices.","taxTitle","Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas","taxId",3971,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289819,"Parks director warns of major 2026 cuts; fees and service reductions presented as options",1703,1522000,3225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532089-f3ab075459a6d19131182eede8799e20&start=1522&end=3225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532089-f3ab075459a6d19131182eede8799e20/thumbnail_1522000.jpg","/articles/6289819/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Parks-director-warns-of-major-2026-cuts-fees-and-service-reductions-presented-as-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289819-ab467bc6c146c2d8d7bf355127de36d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167897&Signature=XPgNxTVO5Mfn0TS7MyA~4nWX6TI4ZLdcdmYVZVaUkenQRYjGxg-~GSLBgGsMiuQwzBbjuwoGhGWca32OcspP7ek7hW9k1EhP5g1ciW4sQe3jaPXV5NnhWj5bcVVFhMnCmQBY3Xc-aBwUB~fc~f5X0TRx4PTSpZIr0BuG8UGYitDlbc6qzzIUEAgizQQ~6xqF8byrtwVuxFXrw~JsMqzvRP6dzPhwGHnlPileYqXuUzcjPOehCb8uJGfqboEgqB11633WqztFeYTkhoouh1VUu28NVa7j0x7oiH6QfyhDXeEBE3ZTxdXR7dxF5HjC95ap5qzHjQ-O5AHa5rtb1uNG1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation director told the advisory board that the department will likely bear a significant portion of a citywide $6.5 million budget shortfall in 2026 and that officials are considering a mix of fee increases and service reductions to reduce the shortfall.

During the director’s report the director said the department expects to receive budget guidance and targets in March and that the City Commission will discuss community input on March 21 and present budget numbers on April 1. “We know we will have to have budget reductions to the tune of $6,500,000 across the city in 2026,” the director said.

Department leaders said they will try to minimize program losses by increasing revenue where feasible — for example by updating program fees and implementing a pricing policy for recreation centers — but warned that some services could be cut if revenue measures fall short. The director said staff will analyze fees against comparable cities and combine fee changes with selective reductions in maintenance or programming if necessary.

Board members raised concerns about equity and access. Vicky, an advisory board member, asked that officials consider how fee policies could create barriers and called for equitable implementation: “I would hope that we lean in just a bit there,” she said, urging options that avoid stigmatizing or limiting access for lower-income residents.

Staff provided several operational updates tied to budget planning: schematic design for the replacement pool and bathhouse is underway, and staff now expect construction to begin in October (pending permitting and bids). That revised schedule may delay the pool opening window and affect projected aquatics revenue. Staff also said a project to convert the municipal golf course irrigation from treated to untreated water is under way with testing expected next March and a hoped-for completion by the end of 2026; staff said water-cost savings would likely appear in 2027 rather than 2026.

City staff described recent community engagement for budget priorities, noting roughly 600 participants in the online Balancing Act exercise; officials said the exercise is advisory and not a statistically randomized survey. The department plans to use that input, consultant recommendations from the comprehensive plan and peer comparisons to develop fee proposals and program-reduction scenarios for the Commission’s review.

Staff said the city manager’s office is holding off on most new hires and replacements until budget targets are finalized to avoid hiring that may later be cut. The director said there is currently no formal layoff plan but that open positions are not being filled immediately to minimize future personnel impact.

No formal action was taken by the advisory board; members asked staff to continue presenting scenario analyses and to provide comparisons with peer cities during upcoming meetings so the board can advise on equity and program prioritization.","City Parks and Recreation staff told the advisory board the department faces a share of a $6.5 million citywide shortfall for 2026 and will likely need a combination of fee increases and service reductions to meet targets.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6289824,"Parks advisory board backs nomination of Municipal Stadium at Hobbs Park to National Register",617,493000,1110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532089-f3ab075459a6d19131182eede8799e20&start=493&end=1110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532089-f3ab075459a6d19131182eede8799e20/thumbnail_493000.jpg","/articles/6289824/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Parks-advisory-board-backs-nomination-of-Municipal-Stadium-at-Hobbs-Park-to-National-Register","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6289824-7679e6756822dfe73f905fe3b3e65bca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167897&Signature=doGbTHLSeQxkAl-mhVAF8H8FIfbQXVDnG8SoeT982QLppGQJYGYkmc9a-8FJdT6PN7qEF-kQ4rltALKhWDG1XCl8ZtMUEfUyEUIjpIvOlNQ04BPqM5xvkIwVO9X60MFVAj3sru2G9A81L0SzpjlEfsUCjUY9csc7L2QS~pc~ST6c6fqoZuM~mDR11vxIS5hJ60t3o-VGILv-uk26MNdWXng3IRiV1rnAohwaDQeq4MTKBNZEbMVCQbpIoDudxkUnq3QYBDFXjdQtj7L9d-tuKlaS8f633qGmKS2fMWtZYX-uU1GqEOdkzz-CkTT6Zpqbc6RPiGb~r9-mV~FLcJcn~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to recommend that the City Commission receive a nomination to list Municipal Stadium at Hobbs Park on the National Register of Historic Places.

The recommendation, made after a presentation from local preservation partners, would allow the stadium to pursue federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits and grants to support restoration. Advocates said the listing would help preserve a community landmark used today by neighborhood leagues and historically tied to Negro Leagues teams.

Andrew Stockman, curator of exhibitions at the Watkins Museum, told the board the Municipal Stadium in Hobbs Park and the Murphy Braumelstich House are the focus of the Hobbs Park Legacy Project and that the group is seeking both a National Register nomination for the stadium and a Kansas Register nomination for the house. “We are respectfully requesting your recommendation to the city commission so that they are able to approve the nomination and move this process forward for municipal stadium to the National Register of Historic Places,” Stockman said.

Stockman said the application to complete the National Register nomination would cost approximately $15,000 and that the project timeline for the nomination is about 15 months. He said listing could make the stadium eligible for historic rehabilitation tax credits and grant funding and that a later phase of work could include a historic-structures report to assess concrete seating and other original features.

Jackie Becker, an East Lawrence resident and a longtime Kaw Valley Kickball League player, described current community use: “We have what’s called Game of the Week on Sundays at Hobbs Park that brings out about 500 people,” Becker said, noting league-run concessions and volunteer cleanup after events.

Stockman listed organizations that have participated with the Legacy Project, including City of Lawrence staff, the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association, the Lawrence Preservation Alliance, the Kaw Valley Kickball League and the Watkins Museum of History. He reported letters of support from the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association and the Kaw Valley Kickball League and said several local groups have committed partial funding toward the $15,000 application cost.

After brief board discussion and no public opposition, Board Member Taylor moved to forward the group’s request to the City Commission; another board member seconded the motion and the board voted in favor.

If the City Commission accepts the nomination packet, project organizers would proceed with the formal submission to the National Park Service, then pursue rehabilitation funding and additional studies to inform any restoration work.

Details the board cited as part of the nomination include the stadium’s use by the Kansas City Monarchs in 1949 (managed that season by Buck O’Neil) and other barnstorming teams, longtime American Legion play and longstanding neighborhood use. Stockman said research sources include local newspaper archives and prior local-register work confirming eligibility.

Supporters at the meeting requested the board’s recommendation be forwarded to the Commission so city staff and the Legacy Project can proceed with the nomination work and grant/tax-credit planning.","The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to recommend that the City Commission accept a nomination to list Municipal Stadium at Hobbs Park on the National Register of Historic Places, advancing a preservation effort backed by neighborhood groups and local sports leagues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Liaison outlines Lawrence-Douglas County bike plan update; committee to revise bikeway network and policy

Parks director warns of major 2026 cuts; fees and service reductions presented as options

Parks advisory board backs nomination of Municipal Stadium at Hobbs Park to National Register