[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6065641,"mediaKeyId","3197284-8e3b5633240a122ebf6f162f0dec64ea","parentId",3197284,"title","Lawrence Parks & Recreation outlines $1.8M target cuts; membership fees and service reductions proposed to avoid deeper layoffs","audioSeconds",4438,"startMs",4438000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3197284-8e3b5633240a122ebf6f162f0dec64ea&start=4438&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3197284-8e3b5633240a122ebf6f162f0dec64ea/thumbnail_4438000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6065641/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Lawrence-Parks-Recreation-outlines-18M-target-cuts-membership-fees-and-service-reductions-proposed-to-avoid-deeper-layoffs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065641-5832d65a56d3e97a2a8f6e2f81cccc6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146649&Signature=TO6es5YKJLA3asJlpZII~vMpZv7Zcwqy4GDmgVEjCUzW5LBQ7bsugPHW6MLNM4xb0O6g0XER~moqjhOWZxxkuKOqKCFu7pTzSPTYjbShyh~rSXUURdetR6-Ai7tNtKZzfD9r3MEr5GwfzrCndzdEc7MqMiEcIpQnCwlNlmH1fulC6tKx9lIEGqp~vip1CUnSQpRsD-2S4LL0fyPbtcQw6MWKFX66qLXpFl5nKJfytAq8LHbUR~IVSV18N3PTSJycdEWPrJxcKPrJS6eHh~trDeL3eurlfsfyB-KW5EDTm9IOXGrd2yf6ZV1swFJK-JYR1UNZMBp9YrwwSb-~T5riig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Lawrence, KS","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","Lawrence Parks & Recreation staff on the advisory board discussed a proposed package of cuts and revenue options to meet a roughly $1.8 million budget reduction target for 2026, including service reductions in parks, fewer part‑time hours, program‑staff reductions and a plan to introduce paid memberships at city recreation centers.

“After the balancing act … our final target reduction is $1,800,000 from our budget,” Parks & Recreation Director Luis told the board, calling the figure about a 10% reduction to the department’s general‑fund operating expenses. He said staff are working to limit the most damaging impacts by mixing service reductions with new revenue.

Key elements presented:

- Target and scope: The department said it must identify about $1.8 million in reductions. Preliminary plans would reduce roughly $1.0 million from parks, trails, open spaces and golf operations and about $700,000–$800,000 from recreation programming and facilities.

- Service changes: Mowing frequency could be reduced, some restroom or shelter replacements deferred, routine vehicle replacements delayed and contracted tree work cut by approximately 60%. The department expects visible reductions in park maintenance and extended life cycles for equipment.

- Staffing and programs: The department has already eliminated three positions and will reduce part‑time staffing by about 30% (a number staff cited as roughly 130,000 in payroll savings). Two programmer positions were eliminated earlier, leaving one staffer handling sports programming. Directors warned some programming and facility hours could be curtailed as a result.

- Facilities: One scenario would limit or close the community building to walk‑in traffic outside scheduled programs, producing an estimated reduction of about $50,000. Sports Pavilion hours and early‑morning opening times are also under review.

- New revenue: Staff proposed membership fees for recreation centers and stepped increases in program and rental fees. The department said a conservative membership revenue projection of $500,000 would materially reduce required cuts; staff said a mix of membership, fees and sponsorships could offset roughly $500,000 of the target if implemented carefully. “We’re being very conservative,” Luis said, adding the department wants to preserve scholarship programs and avoid cutting access for low‑income residents.

- Timeline: The city manager’s recommended budget is scheduled for July 8; the commission will consider the proposed budget before final approval in September. Staff said they plan public engagement on fee proposals and will bring more detailed membership options to the board before the July recommendation.

Board members raised equity and youth‑program concerns. “I just wanna be very mindful about its negative impact on young people … that scares me,” one board member said, stressing potential loss of after‑school safe spaces if hours or staffing are cut. Another commissioner urged early publication of proposed fee schedules to allow public comment.

Luis said the department will seek communications and outreach support and present fee and membership proposals for board review in June before the July city manager recommendation. He said staff also are exploring sponsorship and naming opportunities as longer‑term revenue sources but warned those would not replace near‑term choices needed for the 2026 budget.

No formal budget decision was made by the advisory board at the meeting; the presentation reflected staff planning and direction from the city commission for target reductions. Staff emphasized they are using previously agreed‑upon rubrics and the city’s balancing process to prioritize which services to cut.

What’s next: Parks & Recreation will return with concrete membership fee proposals and an implementation plan, including scholarship and equity measures, in time for public comment ahead of the July 8 city manager recommended budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lawrence City Parks & Recreation Advisory Board 04/14/25 ","oneSentenceSummary","Lawrence Parks & Recreation officials told the advisory board the department faces a roughly $1.8 million reduction target for the 2026 budget and outlined planned service cuts, staffing reductions and proposed recreation‑center membership fees to reduce the shortfall.","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},6065646,"Volunteers, Evergy and IMBA pitch Cameron’s Bluff trail; landowner, neighbors raise ecology and access concerns",3915,390000,4305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3197284-8e3b5633240a122ebf6f162f0dec64ea&start=390&end=4305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3197284-8e3b5633240a122ebf6f162f0dec64ea/thumbnail_390000.jpg","/articles/6065646/Lawrence/Douglas-County/Kansas/Volunteers-Evergy-and-IMBA-pitch-Camerons-Bluff-trail-landowner-neighbors-raise-ecology-and-access-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065646-d3fb90c80d6cd62392944f4d7d8ac875/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146649&Signature=ZYe8XdY900ktPB3pZp8opMg2y8Rdufy3a5dGdzflGpS0N5lOJRLSGyU79Vcmkv5icDpEDRRaDZfDOYf0enzUrJ~Dn-GapvNVOCOqFdofxizezWtDVENa9RELPKzcNYVrXwvh-42eeq85c7qCbY3FuYOljBhJ802WwDweNkIembEhgLp8duDjTRYJDrV-Rh8PlHZmfbb0578eyvJfMCLTNTJH~MHdhkclGw5OQVrEP7q5D5NO8DTDQz0zbwy85tpX9He6ym5Goey9PiVbaaidD9OkCvl8DFBoOYi8fzQBDvpxmcNDUS7N25AXUM0D5wPqBJTPf2PPXXdvGNKUExVhfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An advisory-board presentation on a proposal to develop mountain‑bike and multiuse trails at an area known as Cameron’s Bluff drew broad interest and several concerns at a meeting of the Lawrence Parks & Recreation Advisory Board.

An unidentified presenter, introduced as chair of Friends of Lawrence Area Trails, said the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) assessed the site and recommended further planning and community engagement. “We’re really excited about the possibility of another set of mountain bike trails,” the presenter said, noting the IMBA report and that the site lies along the Kansas River north of I‑70.

Sarah Hill Nelson, representing Friends of the Kaw, described years of outreach and fundraising to win an IMBA trails‑accelerator grant and said the primary current obstacle is access. “Part of the challenge is because this area lies north of I‑70, there is a little bit of an issue of how do you gain access,” she said, describing possible connections from Burcham Park and partnerships with the Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) and Evergy to complete a loop. She said a professional trail design would cost on the order of $18,000–$20,000 and that Evergy has committed staff and equipment for construction if partners can align on access.

Presenters said recent legal review by city counsel indicates a recreational easement mapped along the west bank of the Kansas River could be used to reach the site. “We fairly recently received a communication from legal counsel that believes this is a valid recreational easement that could be potentially utilized to develop a trail,” the unidentified presenter said.

Public commenters included Diane Menzies of the North Lawrence Improvement Association, who urged the city to help pursue a linked pedestrian bridge and other crossings to improve safety and connectivity. “If you could do that northern access point, that’d be amazing because people could leave Downtown Lawrence, bike up and get out on the Farmer’s Turnpike,” she said.

Property owner Jeff Allen said he has long resisted a trail on portions of his land and warned of ecological harm and privacy impacts. “Running a scar through the property down there would create a barrier for a lot of animals who live near or on the river,” Allen said, adding that he had previously proposed a license fee and at one point discussed selling the parcel but later decided not to sell. Allen also said an encampment currently on or near the easement has raised safety and sanitation concerns.

Supporters and presenters countered that recent ecological surveys paid for by Evergy and performed with KU and local experts recommended the site is appropriate for restoration and that native restoration would improve water retention and wildlife habitat. A staff speaker summarized the ecological review: “There is a potential to restore native vegetation throughout the site through management of aggressive non‑native species … restoring a landscape of this size would provide invaluable resources to wildlife, residents of Douglas County, and visitors to the area.”

Speakers discussed specific engineering hurdles: frequent train stoppages at the Burcham Park rail crossing, floodplain constraints, and options to cross the railroad, including a box culvert or a structure that would avoid stranding park users. Staff and presenters cited earlier and existing grants from KDOT and said KTA indicated it would not object to some land use, but noted parcel aggregation and unclear ownership in places would require legal steps (including possible Secretary of State processes) to clear titles.

No formal motion, vote or commitment of city funds was recorded at the meeting. Presenters asked Parks & Recreation and the advisory board to help convene partners and to host public engagement required by the IMBA grant; Parks staff said they would participate in future planning as needed. City staff described the next practical steps as reconvening Evergy, county and city staff, and community partners to produce a shared work plan and public meeting schedule.

Supporters emphasized equitable access and the opportunity to connect neighborhoods and finish sections of the Lawrence Loop; critics emphasized protecting private property, wildlife and the river corridor. The presenters and several board members said they would pursue a public meeting and more detailed design and legal work before any formal city action.

What’s next: Presenters said they will work with Parks & Recreation to plan community engagement required by the IMBA grant and to develop a professional trail design scope; no timeline or funding commitment by the city was established at the meeting.

","An advisory‑board presentation and public comment session laid out plans and concerns for potential mountain‑bike and multiuse trails at Cameron’s Bluff along the Kansas River, with supporters citing an IMBA assessment and an apparent recreational easement and landowner and neighbors warning of ecological and access risks.","actionData","errors"]

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Lawrence Parks & Recreation outlines $1.8M target cuts; membership fees and service reductions proposed to avoid deeper layoffs

Volunteers, Evergy and IMBA pitch Cameron’s Bluff trail; landowner, neighbors raise ecology and access concerns