also in this issue: A visual tribute to local parks and green spaces Essential contact information for new residents Tips on what to see and where to go in your first year
EXPLORE with
US
Here's your guide to your new home region
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EDITOR Nathan Pettengill ART DIRECTOR Alex Tatro CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS Lana Grove Lora Jost Jenni Leiste Alex Olson Angie Pickman Kassidee Quaranta Torren Thomas Darin M. White Shannon White Janella Williams CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Fally Afani Ryan Coody Jason Dailey Brian Goodman Emily Steele Bill Stephens Doug Stremel Mike Yoder COPY EDITOR Leslie Andres
welcome Relocating is never easy. But you have already done the hard part—you’ve moved from across the globe, across the nation or across the state to make Douglas County your new home. Now comes the fun. We have created this guide to help you settle into and explore your new home region. Here, you will find essential numbers and contact information as well as a few recommendations for places to visit and events to attend in your first year. This year, our guide highlights some of the parks and green spaces in the Douglas County region for you to explore and enjoy. Thank you for choosing this area of Kansas as your new home. We are delighted to have you among us.
ADVERTISING Joanne Morgan (785) 832-7264
The Douglas County Newcomers Guide is released annually by Sunflower Publishing, publisher of Baldwin City Living, Discover Eudora and Lawrence Magazine. 1035 N. Third St. Suite 101-B Lawrence, KS 66044 (888) 497-8668 www.sunflowerpub.com DIRECTOR Bob Cucciniello PUBLISHER Bill Uhler
also in this issue: A visual tribute to local parks and green spaces Essential contact information for new residents Tips on what to see and where to go in your first year
EXPLORE with
4
US
Here's your guide to your new home region
ON THE COVER
The Japanese Friendship Garden by artist Torren Thomas. This garden honors Lawrence’s sister city partnership with Hiratsuka, Japan, and is located in downtown Lawrence.
2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED The Douglas County Newcomers Guide strives to help new residents adapt to and enjoy their new hometown. Our recommendations and listings are not comprehensive. This guide will refer you to outside publications and websites for additional information. All data and listings are subject to change. The Douglas County Newcomers Guide cannot assume responsibility for outside information, errors or omissions. Any inaccuracies, changes or additions can be directed to Sunflower Publishing.
1006 W 6th, Lawrence • 785-749-4878 • 800-527-9896 • www.criticarehhs.com Locally owned and operated for over 30 years
TABLE OF CONTENTS 9 DOUGLAS COUNTY COMMUNITIES Community overviews to help you find your own best spot in Douglas County
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9
DOUGLAS COUNTY RESOURCES
A guide to organizations and places to help you discover and enjoy your new hometown
24 LAWRENCE MAP
An overview of the county capital
26 GET KANSAN
Seven road trip ideas for discovering the Sunflower State
27 DOUGLAS COUNTY EVENTS
A seasonal guide to some of the annual favorites in your new home county
33 SEE DOUGLAS COUNTY
Celebrating selected parks and green spaces of Douglas County
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2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
46 LAWRENCE POSTER LIST
Other Lawrence parks and green spaces honored in previous Sunflower Publishing releases
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Douglas County Newcomers Guide / 2022
7
Farm Fresh Produce
23rd & Louisiana | Lawrence, Kansas | checkersfoods.com Like us on Facebook @CheckersFoods!
A young girl helps to harvest grapes at Bluejacket Crossing Vineyard & Winery outside of Eudora.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
COMMUNITIES community overviews to help you find
your own best spot in douglas county
Douglas County Newcomers Guide / 2022
9
COMMUNITIES
ESSENTIAL NEWCOMER INFORMATION
BY THE NUMBERS*
Douglas County Government douglas-county.com (785) 832-0543
DOUGLAS COUNTY
Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical Services (785) 830-7000 All Douglas County Emergency Services 911 Daily Fire Burn Status for Douglas County (785) 832-5394 Weather Radio Frequencies for Douglas County Alerts Channel 2: 162.425 (Halls Summit) Channel 4: 162.475 (Topeka) Channel 7: 162.550 (Pleasant Hill) County Health Department ldchealth.org (785) 843-3060 Lawrence Memorial Hospital lmh.org (785) 505-5000
Population:
120,290 Median household income:
$59,435 Median value of owner-occupied housing:
$199,400 Percentage of home ownership:
51.3% Mean travel time to work (in minutes):
20.4 Percentage of persons under 25 years and over with high school degree or higher
95.4%
Senior Resource Center for Douglas County yoursrc.org (785) 842-0543
Percentage of persons 25 years and over with bachelor’s degree or higher:
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging Jayhawkaaa.org (785) 832-0754
49.6% *Source U.S. Census Bureau
Electrical Power—Evergy evergy.com (800) 383-1183 Gas—Black Hills Energy blackhillsenergy.com (888) 890-5554 Douglas County Extension Office douglas.k-state.edu (785) 843-7058
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2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
DOUGLAS COUNTY
THE CASE FOR DOUGLAS COUNTY Residents of Douglas County enjoy clean air, good government, excellent public education, local foods, entertainment districts, Americana downtowns, and natural recreation areas. Affordable home and rental properties range from farmhouses, with plenty of acreage for livestock and expansive gardens, to urban lofts at the heart of the downtown communities. The region’s government institutions and services are proactive and progressive. During the onset of the 2020 Covid crisis, the New York Times recognized Douglas County officials and citizens for their careful and well-thought-out response to the pandemic. The county maintained a public health mask mandate until June 2021, when officials had completed a massive public vaccination program. Douglas County schools are some of the best in the state, with support for educational values bolstered by the presence of several universities. While the towns of Douglas County share many resources and work toward common goals—they do not sprawl into one another. Each has a distinct history, character, housing market, economic base, school system and municipal amenities. We hope this guide helps introduce them to you and allows you to begin your own explorations of Douglas County.
ABOVE: A daredevil acrobatics performer interacts with the crowd at the Lawrence Busker Festival. LEFT: Students assemble in Allen Fieldhouse ahead of a KU Jayhawks basketball game.
Douglas County Newcomers Guide / 2022
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COMMUNITIES
ESSENTIAL NEWCOMER INFORMATION
BALDWIN CITY
Baldwin City Hall Baldwincity.org (785) 594-6427 Baldwin City Fire Department (785) 594-3678 Baldwin City Recreation Commission baldwincity.recdesk.com
(785) 594-3670 Baldwin City USD 348 usd348.com (785) 594-2721 Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce baldwincitychamber.com
(785) 594-3200 Baker University bakeru.edu (785) 594-6451
BY THE NUMBERS* Population:
4,670 Median household income:
$72,757 Median value of owner-occupied housing:
$171,900 Total Households:
1,505 Percentage of people under 19 years:
Percentage of people 25 years and over with bachelor’s degree or higher:
37.3% Percentage of people 16 years and over who walk to work:
11.6%
31.1%
Percentage of people 16 years and over who work inside Douglas County:
Percentage of people 65 years and older:
66.3%
14.7%
*Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
B
eginning as a stop on the Santa Fe Trail, Baldwin City caught the nation’s attention in 1856 when staunch abolitionist John Brown led his militia against proslavery forces just three miles east of town. Known as the Battle of Black Jack, it is considered by many to be the first battle of the Civil War. The area began to grow in 1858 with the establishment of Baker University, the oldest liberal arts university in the state. Baldwin’s real estate market represents a wide range of prices, from very affordable starter homes around $125k, to older, more expensive homes neighboring the university, or up to $500k for some in the city’s numerous development projects that might overlook a lake or come with substantial acreage. Baldwin’s traditional city square presents a small but thriving downtown scene with restaurants, coffee shops and a thriving art gallery, the Lumberyard Arts Center. Baldwin is known for its Maple Leaf Festival each October. Throughout the year, Baker University hosts lectures, theater performances and musical concerts open to the public.
IF IT DOESN’T BECOME YOUR HOME, VISIT BALDWIN CITY FOR: The Maple Leaf Festival Nearly the entire city (and hundreds of visitors) spend the third full weekend in October celebrating with a community parade, crafts festival, quilt show and more. The Lumberyard Arts Center A thriving gallery and gathering spot showcases community music, artistic talent and more.
THE CASE FOR BALDWIN CITY All the attractions of a college town with the benefits of a small-town housing market and family-friendly pace of life.
Aerial view of downtown Baldwin City and Baker University campus.
208 W. 20th Street | Eudora, KS 66025 785-542-5152 Douglas County Newcomers Guide / 2022
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www.wolffauto.com
COMMUNITIES
ESSENTIAL NEWCOMER INFORMATION
EUDORA
Eudora City Hall cityofeudoraks.gov (785) 542-2153 Eudora Township Fire Department (785) 542-2800 City of Eudora Fire Department cityofeudoraks.gov/67/Fire (785) 690-7066 Eudora Parks & Recreation cityofeudoraks.gov/76/ Parks-Recreation (785) 690-7266 Eudora Community Library eudorapubliclibrary.org (785) 542-2496 Eudora Public Schools – USD 491 eudoraschools.org (785) 542-4910 Eudora Chamber of Commerce eudorakschamber.com Eudora CVB eudoraevents.com
BY THE NUMBERS* Population:
7,000 Median household income:
$87,692 Median value of owneroccupied housing:
$176,900 Total Households:
2,114 Percentage of people under 20 years:
34.1%
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Percentage of people 65 years and older:
7.6% Percentage of people 25 years and over with bachelor’s degree or higher:
33.2% Percentage of people 16 years and over who work inside Douglas County:
53.9% *Source U.S. Census Bureau and Eudora City Manager’s Office
2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
E
udora sits on the eastern edge of Douglas County, between Lawrence and the Kansas City area. That proximity to a large metropolitan area and the county’s largest city has kept the population on the rise over recent decades, but Eudora is more than just a commuter city. Eudora’s strong public school system; its historic downtown; affordable housing market; grocery, restaurant and retail venues; and rich parks and recreation programs make the town a charming, self-contained community. Recently, Eudora has taken advantage of its position on the confluence of the Wakarusa and the Kaw (or Kansas) rivers, two of its greatest natural resources. The
city’s river access park is a great starting point for a family canoeing or kayaking adventure (with an exit ramp downstream in DeSoto), and if you’re an athlete, you’ll want to check out Eudora’s Great Kaw Adventure Race, which covers 25 miles with canoeing as well as running, biking and en route problem-solving obstacles. Surrounded by rich farmland, Eudora has a farmers market and boasts nearby wineries, orchards and pumpkin patches. If you are considering making Eudora your home, you can dive into the real estate market where starter homes begin at $150k and more luxurious 5-bedroom homes typically cost only twice that.
IF IT DOESN’T BECOME YOUR HOME, VISIT EUDORA FOR: The CPA Picnic A summer festival with more than 117 years of tradition; includes a carnival, parades and family activities. The Great Kaw Adventure Race Traditionally held in September, this is an annual run-bike-canoe adventure course for teams and solo entries—followed by a community party.
Drs. Newkirk, Adams and Willms
Fillings Same Day Crowns Cleanings Veneers Implants Whitening Invisalign Referral Rewards
THE CASE FOR EUDORA Exceptional public school system and generous real estate market with easy access to larger metropolitan regions, and all within a self-sufficient community.
Call Our Office Today! (785) 843-2636
Patrons gather at Zeb’s Coffehouse in downtown Eudora.
4111 W 6th Street Douglas County Newcomers Guide / 2022
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www.freestate.dental
IF IT DOESN’T BECOME YOUR HOME, VISIT LECOMPTON FOR: Territorial Days A June celebration of the town’s history, with historical reenactors, parade and a celebrated turtle race. Territorial Capital Museum The museum creates festive holiday displays and contains several items of local history, but it is perhaps best known for its dedication to documenting Bleeding Kansas of the 1850s, and how these events played out in Douglas County.
ESSENTIAL NEWCOMER INFORMATION Lecompton City Hall lecompton.org (785) 887-6407 Lecompton Volunteer Fire/EMS 911 Perry-Lecompton USD 343 (785) 597-5138
BY THE NUMBERS* Population:
749 Percentage of people under 18 years:
28.3% Percentage of people 65 years and older:
13.2% Percentage of homes owned by residents:
80%
COMMUNITIES
LECOMPTON C
hosen in 2016 by readers of KANSAS! magazine as one of the state’s top-5 small towns, Lecompton sits on the northwestern edge of Douglas County and is rich in history and nature. Originally named Bald Eagle and founded in 1854, the city soon became the capital of Kansas Territory during the Bloody Kansas years. The town saw intense political battles and the Battle of Fort Titus before antislavery forces won control of the territorial legislature and then moved the legislature farther from striking range of Missouri-based raiders. The town lost population when Topeka became the state’s capital, but Lecompton soon opened Lane University and continued as a center for surrounding farms and a key point on the Kaw (or Kansas) River. History is still a living part of Lecompton, which interprets its past as “the place where slavery began to die.” The town’s historic sites include Constitution Hall, the Territorial Capital Museum and the 1850s Democratic Headquarters. Walking tours feature video links created by the local elementary schools and reenactments; Territorial Days and the Bleeding Kansas lecture series are part of the annual calendar. It also has some of the
world’s most generous slices of pie at Aunt Netter’s Café in Lecompton’s historic downtown. Lecompton has a very affordable real estate market with homes starting below $150k though its most tempting opportunities may be the chance to buy rural homes with plenty of land. Public school students in Lecompton attend elementary school in the city and an upper-grades school shared with the neighboring town of Perry. Lecompton also boasts some of the most scenic river views, with a beautiful access point and a scenic road winding along the river bluffs to Topeka.
THE CASE FOR LECOMPTON Beautiful rural settings, historic vibe, affordable living and convenient highway access to larger towns
Total households:
260 *Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
Visitors and residents gather downtown and along the parade route during Lecompton’s annual Territorial Days celebration.
Thank you
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COMMUNITIES
LAWRENCE ESSENTIAL NEWCOMER INFORMATION City Offices lawrenceks.org (785) 832-3000 Fire & Medical Department lawrenceks.org/ fire_medical (785) 830-7000 Department of Utilities lawrenceks.org/utilities (785) 832-7800 Lawrence Parks and Recreation lawrenceks.org/lprd (785) 832-3450 Lawrence Public Library lplks.org (785) 843-3833 Lawrence Transit System lawrencetransit.org (785) 864-4644 Lawrence Chamber of Commerce lawrencechamber.com (785) 865-4411 Lawrence Journal-World ljworld.com (785) 843-1000
BY THE NUMBERS*
Median household income:
$453,639 Median value of owner-occupied housing:
$199,300 Percentage of those 25 and older with high school degree or higher:
95.3% Percentage of those 25 and older with bachelor’s degree or higher:
53.3% *Source: U.S. Census Bureau
IF IT DOESN’T BECOME YOUR HOME, VISIT LAWRENCE FOR: The Downtown Any time of year, this retail, restaurant and live-music region offers a perfect day out for the family, couples and city explorers. Clinton Lake With sand beaches, hiking paths, biking skill loop trails, a marina, camping sites, state park cabins, an archery range and more, this reservoir and the surrounding land are two of the region’s greatest natural attractions for sport and relaxation.
Population:
96,369 Total Households:
38,395
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2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
L
THE CASE FOR LAWRENCE A thriving college town that strikes a balance between sophistication and quirkiness with exceptional schools, public services, green areas and entertainment venues. It’s the home and heart of Jayhawk Nation.
LEFT: Lawrence musician Joe Sears performs in downtown Lawrence. TOP: Customers dine in downtown Lawrence’s Merchants Pub & Plate restaurant. ABOVE: The Lawrence Bar Band helps patrons celebrate a KU basketball victory at the downtown Sandbar.
awrence prides itself on being a little different, which we attribute to the presence of two universities, its start as an idealistic political settlement, and the blend of being Midwestern-nice and global-savvy. Whatever the reason, Lawrence is a city that continues to adapt and go its own way. Founded in the 1850s as a center of resistance to slavery, Lawrence paid the price as it was raided by proslavery forces twice, and particularly in 1863, when raiders attacked before dawn, killing 200 people and burning much of the city. But the city rebuilt and thrived as a center of education, agriculture and commerce. It continued to grow as a railroad and commercial hub, and by the 1960s Lawrence began to establish itself as a progressive college town that values education, community planning, growth and inclusivity. Today the city is home to the University of Kansas, a top-tier university with one of the most beautiful campuses in the country and the highly touted men’s basketball team. (You’ll see the Jayhawk mascot everywhere: look for statues of the smiling bird with big yellow shoes.) Lawrence is home to Haskell Indian Nations University. Established nearly 120 years ago, the institution was originally for Native American children grades one through five. Now, American Indian and Alaska Native people come from across the country for higher education and Native-centered scholarship. Lawrence’s booming real estate market includes everything from studio apartments to milliondollar luxury homes. Home to several distinctive neighborhoods, the city’s residential and commercial areas connect by short drives, bicycle routes and a municipal bus transportation system jointly operated with the University of Kansas. The city has a municipal airport, a Greyhound bus stop and a historic rail station that serves as a stop on the Amtrak train route running from Los Angeles to Chicago. At the heart of Lawrence is Massachusetts Street. (Locals call it “Mass” for short.) Along with the nearby arts district, it offers locally owned shops, awardwinning restaurants, breweries, and numerous live music venues. There are festivals, parades and events throughout the year, including an annual hot-rod gathering, a beloved Fiesta Mexicana, the Lawrence Busker Fest, a food truck festival, a top-tier lineup of national acts at the Lied Center and much more.
Douglas County Newcomers Guide / 2022
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RESOURCES a g u i d e t o o r g a n i z at i o n s a n d p l a c e s t o h e l p you discover and enjoy your new hometown
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2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
A dancer performs during the Keeping Legends Alive celebration on the grounds of Haskell Indian Nations University.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
RESOURCES
A young patron uses a computer at Eudora Community Library.
EDUCATION Baker University (785) 594-6451 bakeru.edu
Baldwin City Public Schools USD 348 (785) 594-2721 usd348.com
Eudora Public Schools USD 491 (785) 542-4910 eudoraschools.org
Lawrence Public Schools USD 497 (785) 832-5000 usd497.org
Perry-Lecompton Public Schools USD 343 (785) 597-5138
University of Kansas (785) 864-2700 ku.edu
Haskell Indian Nations University (785) 749-8404 haskell.edu
Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center (785) 865-4411 peasleetech.org
usd343.net
www.lawrencetransit.org
City of Lawrence/University of Kansas transport services
Lawrence-Douglas County Bike Plan (785) 832-3000
lawrenceks.org/mpo/bicycle_planning
Resource guide, info and maps to commuter/recreational cycling
Lawrence Parks & Recreation 1141 Massachusetts St.; Lawrence (785) 832-3450 lawrenceks.org/lprd
Baldwin City Recreation Commission 705 High St., Baldwin City (785) 594-3670 baldwincity.recdesk.com
Eudora Parks & Recreation 1630 Elm St., Eudora (785) 542-3434 eudoraparksandrec.org
TRANSPORTATION Lawrence Transit System – the “T” (785) 864-4644
RECREATION
Senior Wheels (785) 727-7876
yoursrc.org/home/resources-for-seniors/ transportation
County-wide, low-cost senior transport program
Independence, Inc. 2001 Haskell Ave., Lawrence (785) 841-0333
Public pools/lap swimming in Lawrence lawrenceks.org/lprd/aquatics
City of Lawrence has 4 public pools, including 2 year-round locations
Eagle Bend Golf Course
lawrenceks.org/lprd/eaglebend
18-hole public golf course
independenceinc.org
Wheelchair accessible door-to-door weekday transport
Douglas County Newcomers Guide / 2022
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RESOURCES
THEATER PERFORMANCE KU Theatre kutheatre.com
University and professional actors theater troupe
Lied Center of Kansas lied.ku.edu
National/world musicians and performers on stage
Theatre Lawrence theatrelawrence.com
Community theater venue
EVENTS Baldwin City Chamber events Listing visitbaldwincity.com
City of Eudora full events listing eudoraevents.com
Lawrence CVB full county events calendar Bartender Evan Epperson prepares a drink at the west Lawrence restaurant J. Wilson’s.
DINING Restaurants—County Listing Review blogs and comprehensive listing of area restaurants unmistakablylawrence.com/explore/eat
ARTS Cider Gallery 810 Pennsylvania St., Lawrence cidergallery.com
Fine art gallery
Lawrence Arts Center
SHOPPING REGIONS
Galleries, classes and performances
Final Fridays
www.downtownlawrence.com
facebook.com/FFLawrence
Plethora of trendy, local and delightful shops and restaurants
Monthly exhibits and activities in galleries and art venues
North Lawrence Antiques and rare home goods centered on 500-800 blocks of Locust Street
Lawrence ArtWalk
23rd Street, Lawrence Variety of national chains and locally-owned stores From Massachusetts to Iowa Street
22
lawrenceartscenter.org
Downtown Lawrence
South Iowa Street, Lawrence Big-box national chain stores
2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
Unmistakablylawrence.com/eventscalendar
lawrenceartwalk.org
Annual tour of artist studios in Douglas County
Lumberyard Arts Center lumberyardartscenter.org
Baldwin’s home for traveling/local exhibits
Phoenix Gallery
www.phoenixgalleryart.com
Downtown Lawrence art gallery
SeedCo Studios seedcostudios.com
Working art studios/gallery
Spencer Museum of Art spencerart.ku.edu
University of Kansas art collection/ galleries
Wonder Fair wonderfair.com
Experimental art gallery
RESOURCES
A naturalist leads a walking lecture at the Baker Wetlands in south Lawrence.
HEALTH Lawrence Memorial Hospital 325 Maine Street, Lawrence (785) 505-5000 lmh.org
County’s health and emergency services hospital
Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center 200 Maine St., Suite A, Lawrence (785) 843-9192 bertnash.org
Mental health services
Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) Cottonwood Inc. 2801 W. 31st St., Lawrence (785) 842-0550 cwood.org
Connecting people of all ages with developmental disabilities to area services
DCCCA Inc. 3312 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence (785) 841-4138 www.dccca.org
Prevention/treatment of alcohol and drug problems
Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association & Hospice 200 Maine St., Suite C, Lawrence (785) 843-3738
Senior Resource Center for Douglas County 745 Vermont, Lawrence (785) 842-0543 yoursrc.org
Senior health, social and resource information
Haskell Health Center 2415 Massachusetts St., Lawrence (785) 843-3750 ihs.gov
Outpatient health services for Native community
Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ Lawrence (785) 841-2345 ksphq.org
Trained crisis counseling
Independence Inc. 2001 Haskell Ave., Lawrence (785) 841-0333 independenceinc.org
Independent living resources for disabled
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging 2001 Haskell Ave, Lawrence (785) 832-0754
KU Child & Family Services Clinic 2021 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence (785) 864-4416 kuclinic.ku.edu
Affordable mental health care for children and families
KU Psychological Clinic Room 340 Fraser Hall, 1415 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence (785) 864-4121 psychclinic.ku.edu
Affordable mental health care
Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department 200 Maine St., Suite B, Lawrence (785) 843-3060 ldchealth.org
Community health program center
Willow Domestic Violence Center 1920 Moodie Rd., Lawrence (785) 843-3333, 800-770-3030 willowdvcenter.org
Domestic crisis; prevention and support
jhawkaaa.org
Tri-county resource center for seniors and senior programs
kansasvna.org
Home health care and hospice
Douglas County Newcomers Guide / 2022
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TO LECOMPTON
KASOLD
LAWR E NCE
LAWREN CLUB & G
INDOOR AQUATIC CENTER
EN
CE
AVE
MAP
DEERFIELD ELEMENTARY
LA WR
FREE STATE HIGH THEATRE LAWRENCE SIXTH STREET
DISC GO COUR SUNSET HILL ELEMENTARY QUAIL RUN PARK
W A K A R U S A D RIVE
LAWRENCE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL
WEST MIDDLE S
DAD PERRY PARK
QUAIL RUN ELEMENTARY
D RIVE
LANGSTON HUGHES ELEMENTARY
ORCHARDS EXECUTIVE GOLF COURSE
BOB BILLINGS PARKWAY
LIED CE DOLE INSTIT OF POLI
THE JAYHAWK CLUB ALVAMAR LAKE
RAINTREE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
BISHOP SEABURY ACADEMY
C L I N T O N PA R K W AY
LAWRENCE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL SOUTH SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL
YOUTH SPORTS COMPLEX
SUNFLOWER ELEMENTARY
HOLC PARK
HOLC RECREAT EAGLE BEND GOLF COURSE
10 CLINTON STATE PARK
CLINTON LAKE
24
LAWRENCE VIRTUAL SCHOOL
2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
31ST ST
PRAIRIE MOON SCHOOL LAWRENCE M U N I C I PA L AIRPORT VERITAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Post Office/Libraries
MCDONALD DR
Hospitals City Government
NCE COUNTRY GOLF COURSE
LAWRENCE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
CLINTON PARK
CENTENNIAL PARK
LAWRENCE M U N I C I PA L CENTURY AIRPORT SCHOOL
N SECOND ST
ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL MASSACHUSETTS ST
ST I
TION CENTER
BROKEN ARROW ELEMENTARY
LOUISIANA ST
Oread S E LE CTE D
RIV
ER
Old West Lawrence Oread West Lawrence North Lawrence
Indian Hills Deerfield
ONT
19TH ST KENNEDY ELEMENTARY
LAWRENCE COMMUNITY SHELTER DOUGLAS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
10 HASKELL CULTURAL CENTER & MUSEUM
15TH ST
BILLY MILLS HASKELL INDIAN MIDDLE NATIONS SCHOOL UNIVERSITY
PRAIRIE PARK NATURE CENTER
PRAIRIE PARK ELEMENTARY
PRAIRIE PARK LAWRENCE COMMUNITY SHELTER DOUGLAS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
TO EUDORA
10
TO BALDWIN CITY
Quail Run
15TH ST
Prairie Park
PA R K CORDLEY ELEMENTARY KA NS AS RIV ER HOBBS PARK MEMORIAL
KENNEDY ELEMENTARY
POST OFFICE
Neighborhoods West Lawrence
Sunset Hills
EAST LAWRENCE REC CENTER
BROKEN 1 9 T H S T ARROW PARK
HASKELL BAKER WETLANDS CULTURAL CENTER CENTER DISCOVERY & MUSEUM
BILLY MILLS HASKELL INDIAN MIDDLE NATIONS SCHOOL UNIVERSITY
A S K E L L AV E
N ARROW MENTARY
East Lawrence
Pinkney
LAWRENCE ARTS CENTER & PRESCHOOL
LIBERTY MEMORIAL CENTRALNAISMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL VALLEY PARK EAST LAWRENCE REC CENTER
CORDLEY ELEMENTARY
ENCE HIGH
NT P ARK KA NS AS
East Lawrence
HOBBS PARK
SOUTH 2 3PARK RD ST MASSACHUSETTS ST
COM
LOUISIANA ST
LAWRENCE HIGH LAWRENCE VISITOR CENTER NEW YORK ELEMENTARY SCHWEGLER COURTHOUSE ELEMENTARY
MILY LETICSPARK COM
FRO
LIBERTY MEMORIAL CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
GREYHOUND BUS LINES
HOLCOM SPORTS COMPLEX
Old West Lawrence
LAWRENCE ARTS CENTER & PRESCHOOL
SOUTH PARK
KANSAS RIVER N ENTER PINCKNEY LEVEE TRAILS ELEMENTARY BOOTH FAMILY CITY HALL TUTE L AW UNIVERSITY HALL OF ATHLETICS REN ITICS POST OFFICE CE R OF KANSAS AMTRAK STATION IVER PUBLIC LIBRARY FR
UM RT EUM
CE R IVER
HOBBS PARK MEMORIAL
COURTHOUSE
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM WOODLAWN ELEMENTARY
ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
REN
HOBBS PARK
HILLCREST ELEMENTARY BURCHAM PARK
ATKINS MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Transportation
L AW
LAWRENCE VISITOR CENTER NEW YORK ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
CENTURY SCHOOL
Info
GREYHOUND BUS LINES
WATKINS MUSEUM OF HISTORY
ITAL
Points of Interest
AMTRAK STATION PRAIRIE MOON SCHOOL
NINTH STREET
MONTESSORI CHILDREN’S HOUSE
Hiking
WOODLAWN ELEMENTARY
CITY HALL
POST OFFICE PUBLIC LIBRARY
SENIOR RESOURCE CENTER DOUGLAS CO.
Golf
H A S K E L L AV E
SKATE PARK
Schools/Universities LAWRENCE M U N I C I PA L AIRPORT
KANSAS RIVER LEVEE TRAILS
PINCKNEY ELEMENTARY
SIXTH STREET
OLF RSE
Museums N SECOND ST
BURCHAM PARK
PRAIRIE PARK NATURE CENTER
PRAIRIE PARK ELEMENTARY
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If your relocation to Douglas County also marks your move to Kansas, then we welcome you with 7 ideas for short road trips to discover the Sunflower State.
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ABILENE
Go for: Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum showcases the childhood home and historic decisions made by the nation’s WW II general and postwar president. Also see: The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad has one of the nation’s last passenger steam engine trains.
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Go for: The state’s most haunted city features celebrated ghost tours and opportunities to spend the night in haunted houses. Also see: The childhood home of aviator Amelia Earhart, with a new hangar museum set to open by 2022.
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FORT SCOTT
Go for: The Gordon Parks Museum highlights the career of the acclaimed photographer and film director who grew up in Fort Scott. Also see: Fort Scott National Historic Site preserves historic structures and uses historic reenactors and interactive exhibits to focus on the area’s tumultuous years leading up to the Civil War.
2022 / Douglas County Newcomers Guide
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LAKE KANOPOLIS Go for: Horsethief Canyon Trail takes hikers past caves, canyons and beautiful lake vistas.
Also see: Nearby Mushroom Rock State Park features unique sandstone formations in the shape of—you guessed it— mushrooms.
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LINDSBORG
Go for: On odd-numbered years, the town hosts Svensk Hyllningsfest, an extravagant musical, culinary and artistic celebration of the town’s Swedish immigrant heritage. Also see: The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery contains some of the best works of the Swedish-American impressionist master.
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LUCAS
Go for: Garden of Eden is believed to be the nation’s oldest intact folk art installation. It features religious allegory concrete structures and the mausoleum of its artist-creator, an eccentric Civil War veteran. Also see: Lucas Grassroots Art Center features one-of-a-kind creations by selftaught artists.
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MAXWELL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Go for: Guided wagon tours through protected prairie grassland allowing upclose sightings of resident bison herds. Also see: Sign up for guided horse trail tours.
Photographs courtesy Kansas Tourism Division.
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DOUGLAS COUNTY
EVENTS
a s e a s o n a l g u i d e t o s o m e o f t h e a n n u a l fav o r i t e s i n y o u r n e w h o m e c o u n t y
21+ | Active | Animals | Charity | Competitive | Culinary | Cultural
Cut lin ehere
Educational | Family Friendly | Historical | Indoor | Musical | Outdoor | Zombie-Approved
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SPRING
KU Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival April KU First Nations Student Association and community partners host a day of dances, performances and presentations to honor the numerous Native nations represented on campus. Events are free and open to the community.
Dole Lecture April
LAWRENCE BUSKER FEST
Held to honor Senator Bob Dole from Kansas and to commemorate the fateful day on April 14, 1945, when he was critically wounded serving in Italy during World War II, this lecture series invites national leaders to address an issue of importance. Past speakers include President Bill Clinton, General Richard Myers, business executive and Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, and journalist Bob Woodward.
Farmers Market April–November
May L A W R E N C E B U S K E R F E S T . C O M
L A W R E N C E F A R M E R S M A R K E T . C O M
This annual festival has emerged as one of the region’s most-popular and bestattended events. For one weekend each year, street performers converge in Downtown Lawrence with magic shows, acrobatic stunts, musical performances, fire-swallowing and much more. Because of pandemic rescheduling, the Lawrence Busker Fest will be held in the fall of 2021, and then returns to May for 2022, but with an expanded, 4-day performance schedule. Be sure to check website for a full schedule.
What’s the first sign of spring? Fierce, crack-of-dawn competition for that first good crop of kale and those freshly baked pies. Starting out in April, the farmers market seasons include regular venues in Eudora and Lawrence, where the state’s oldest continually running market expands into a three-times weekly event as the season reaches full bloom.
March Madness
Haskell Commencement Powwow May
February–April You might notice that many of your new friends and acquaintances undergo a transformation each March, particularly if the University of Kansas basketball teams are battling their way through the NCAA tournament. Work slows. Family schedules and social engagements are set around game times. And everyone holds their breath. Even if you aren’t a big sports fan, you can embrace the electric atmosphere and participate in the community-wide jubilation.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade March
H I N U . E D U
Each May, Haskell Indian Nations University invites families, friends and well-wishers to celebrate with the graduating class. Commencement ceremonies usually begin on a Saturday morning, and are then followed two days of traditional Native dancing and music. Because Haskell brings together students from a multitude of Native nations, this event provides the opportunity to enjoy the regalia and culture of a wide range of Native peoples.
Art Tougeau May
L AW R E N C E ST PAT R I C KS DAY PA R A D E . C O M
A R T T O U G E A U . O R G
This parade through Downtown Lawrence has gone on for 30 years and continues to grow bigger, better and greener with each celebration. Look for the always-ambitiously-extravagant Sandbar float and other extreme productions as well as small-scale family entries. It can be cool in March, but a blanket and the thick crowd will keep you warm and your spirits high.
It started out as a motorized art nouveau show in 1997 and has since involved into Lawrence’s wackiest promenade on wheels. Perennial favorites such as the Spaceship Car and the Recycle Cycle delight audiences, and more fun comes in seeing what new creations will line up for the parade each year.
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St. John’s Mexican Fiesta June
SUMMER Civil War on the Western Frontier
S T J O H N S F I E S T A . C O M
A celebration of the city’s Mexican American community that centered around St. John’s Catholic Church in downtown Lawrence. The two-day event features food tents along with musical and dance performances.
Free State Festival June
August W A T K I N S M U S E U M . O R G
The Watkins Museum of History hosts an annual series of lectures, tours and other events to commemorate the 1863 attack on Lawrence and Douglas County by Confederate guerrilla forces and the legacy of the Civil War conflict on the region’s history and character. This is one of the region’s most popular and attended history-themed events.
F R E E S T A T E F E S T I V A L . O R G
Lawrence’s cinema festival brings a week of outdoor screenings, art installations and musical performances. Find schedule and ticket information at the festival website.
Red Dog’s Dog Days June–August R E D D O G S D O G D A Y S . O R G
Who said the summer was for sleeping in? For 35 years, Ed “Red Dog” Gardner has been waking up with county residents to lead them in a series of early-morning stretches, exercises and runs. The workout is held at various locations, including the University of Kansas Memorial Stadium, depending on season and year—but sweat and a sense of accomplishment are always a given.
Douglas County Fair
BATTLE OF BLACK JACK ANNIVERSARY
July–August D G C O U N T Y F A I R . C O M
The beauty about the Douglas County Fair is that its attendees are equally earnest and post-modern ironic about the traditional downhome celebration. We know it’s a time to celebrate, but we take the llama contest seriously. We make the pie-baking contest delicious … and deadly competitive. And we put on what is arguably the state’s best, most-contested demolition derby (even the public library has gotten into that act, entering Dewey the Demo car—and winning 3rd place—in 2014). Running late July to early August, this is the place for funnel cakes, tribute bands, whirly rides, bright lights and one cool county.
Boating Season Summer
June Historians and historical reenactors bring alive the pivotal events that led to John Brown’s victory over proslavery forces and foreshadowed the Civil War.
Territorial Days June L E C O M P T O N T E R R I T O R I A L D A Y S . C O M
C L I N T O N M A R I N A . C O M K A N S A S R I V E R . O R G
When the summer arrives, Douglas County heads to the waters, whether that is Lone Star Lake for picnics and fishing, the Kaw River for kayaking or Clinton Lake for swimming and boating.
When was the last time that you and every other kid in the city gathered to race turtles? Exactly. And that’s just one of the reasons to attend Lecompton’s Territorial Days, an annual mid-June celebration of community pride and the region’s pivotal role in the fight for Kansas’ entry into the Union. Oh yes, and the turtle races.
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FALL Rev it Up! Hot Rod Hullabaloo September R E V I T U P C A R S H O W . C O M Whether you’re all Rockabilly, or just appreciate fine-looking machinery, this annual celebration of hot rods and hot-rod culture brings together music, plenty of good eats and a convergence of rat rods, muscle cars, street sass, exotics and classic autos. Held in Lawrence’s South Park, this high-octane event is also a charity fundraiser for a designated local nonprofit each year.
Kaw Valley Farm Tour October K A W V A L L E Y F A R M T O U R . O R G
Know your grower! And this is one of the best ways to do it. On the first full weekend of October, dozens of Douglas County farms open up to guests, demonstrating the daily work of a farm, the temperament of llamas and the people behind local food. A ten-dollar bill will get you entrance for as many people as you can fit into one vehicle, leaving plenty of spare change to take home fresh produce, crafts or baked goods.
HASKELL INDIAN ART MARKET September H A S K E L L . E D U / H I A M Held annually during the second full weekend of September, this market is one of the region’s largest venues for Native-authentic crafts, jewelry, artwork and more. Held on the grounds of the Haskell Indian Nations University, the market also treats guests to musical performances and Native dances in full regalia.
Maple Leaf Festival October M A P L E L E A F F E S T I V A L . C O M
Baldwin City’s generous canopy of trees takes center stage at this two-day festival, held on the second weekend of each October. In addition to experiencing the natural beauty of the fall leaves, guests can enjoy musical performances, craft booths, food stalls, a quilt show, marching bands and a parade.
Zombie Walk October
Lied Center Season September-May L I E D . K U . E D U The region’s premier venue for national and global cultural performances, the Lied Center of Kansas presents a season with legendary performers such as Bruce Hornsby, Melissa Etheridge, David Sedaris, Black Violin, Boz Scaggs and more.
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T W I T T E R . C O M / L A W R E N C E Z O M B I E
One of Lawrence’s biggest-growing holiday traditions, Zombie Walk invites anyone to come dressed up in zombie attire (and there are always several clever, original zombie costumes) to parade (limp, moan, stagger) through Downtown Lawrence. Interaction with spectators is part of the fun, as this is the most nonthreatening, considerate mob of zombies to ever shuffle down the street. Proof? Nobody is ever eaten, and all participating zombies donate cash or canned goods to a designated charity.
WINTER Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade December This event features dozens of authentic horse-drawn carriages parading down Massachusetts Street and greeting thousands of residents and guests who line the route for miles. Bring blankets, hot cocoa and a well-charged phone for all your holiday photos and videos.
Holiday Vespers December M U S I C . K U . E D U
For over 90 years, the University of Kansas School of Music has delighted audiences with a performance of secular and sacred holiday music. The vespers are a series of performances, some free and some open through ticket purchase with a range of choral, organ, brass performances and even a few sing-alongs.
Lawrence Farmers Holiday Market December L A W R E N C E F A R M E R S M A R K E T . C O M
What happens to the farmers market when the season ends … it only gets bigger. At least for one day each December when growers from across the county gather to bring in holiday-themed home crafts such as wreaths and arrangements, but also loads of canned goodness and other taste delights such as cheese, biscotti, pickled mushrooms and more.
Kaw Valley Eagle Days January K A W V A L L E Y E A G L E D A Y S . C O M
Join wildlife experts for a day of family-friendly presentations on the lives of local bald eagle populations with the chance to join a free guided excursion to view nesting sites.
Transformations January T R A N S F O R M A T I O N S L A W R E N C E . C O M
This Lawrence tradition is the perfect way to melt away the winter blahs. In this battle for the tiara, approximately one dozen candidates are paired with a female impersonator to develop a stage act and swagger that will bring home several thousands of dollars for their local charity.
ALLEN FIELDHOUSE HOME GAME November–February K U AT H L E T I C S . C O M Part sporting event, part mystical experience. Tickets to the University of Kansas men’s basketball games are simply the city’s most valued commodity, while entry to the women’s games allows you a better chance to explore the venue while still taking in the memorabilia, adjoining museum and sights of KU basketball lore. Oh, and a bonus delight of a KU basketball game? It’s also an introduction to a broader world of KU sports open to the public, each with its own set of legends and base of fans, from track and field to rugby. Welcome to Jayhawk Nation!
Holiday Lighting and Santa Rescue November D O W N T O W N L A W R E N C E . C O M Every year, hundreds of people converge in Downtown Lawrence for musical performances, complimentary hot chocolate, a switching on of the city’s downtown lights and an appearance from Santa Claus. All of that might seem familiar, but Lawrence does it in its own way; Santa, stranded on top of Weaver’s Department Store, is rescued by the city’s fire department. You think after all these years he might learn.
Lawrence Festival of Trees November–December FA C E B O O K . C O M / L AW R E N C E F E S T I VA LO F T R E E S
Each year, some of the region’s top artists and creative teams decorate and donate a holiday tree for charity. Tickets are sold to the public for viewing at Lawrence’s historic Liberty Hall theater, and trees are auctioned off with proceeds going to charity. Traditional and Kansasthemed trees make regular appearances, but anything goes and there is always one entirely novel tree-decorating sensation each year.
Douglas County Newcomers Guide / 2022
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Topeka!
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Honoring the Life and Creations of Lee Chapman Louis Copt Paints with a New Kind of Blue Pandemic Pets Got Us Through Illuminated Glass Studio Creates Pipe Art And More ...
OUR TRIBUTE TO THE CITY’S GREEN SPACES Including original 1930s-style park posters from some of Topeka’s best artists
FALL/WINTER ’20
LOCAL M USI C TAK ES CENTER STAGE I N LUM BERYARD LI VE ON HI GH
2021 spring/ summer
Love Among
the Blooms
Student Mental Health USD 231 partners with Johnson County Mental Health to reach students and families in need
Welcoming Warren Place Events Family ties bring new wedding and events venue to Gardner
How growing up on a Eudora farm allowed actor and dancer Mason Kelso to thrive in the competitive world of New York City stage and television performances
Full Send
Our Future
Meet & Greet
The fast-paced growth of the Cardinal Cycling Club
Eudora comes together to create a vision for the coming years
Introducing some of the city's business leaders
2021
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Chamber Listing A membership index, member spotlight and all you need to know about the 2021 KC Air Show
SEE DOUGLAS COUNTY E
ach year, our newcomers guide highlights one aspect of Douglas County worth sharing with prospective arrivals. This year, our selection was easy to make—a focus on some of the parks and green spaces of our region. At the center of all four of the main towns in Douglas City is a park or green space whose formation reaches back to the mid- and late1800s as the county was formed. And all four communities, as they have grown, have made the preservation and enjoyment of natural areas a priority. Some of the most recent developments include places like the Sandra J. Shaw Community Health Park in Lawrence, a fishing pond and green oasis that overlaps with the Lawrence Loop, a shared biking/walking path that circles around the entire city. In Eudora, city officials and volunteer groups have used grants and funding to recently expand on public park trails and are working on expanding ADA accessibility in the city’s green spaces. In Baldwin City, a new walking trail has been designed to highlight areas where you can still see ruts left
by the impact of wagon trains traveling along the Santa Fe Trail. And in Lecompton, a new disc golf course takes players past historic sites and through some challenging woods. As we have realized and reaffirmed during the past year of the pandemic, parks and green spaces are more than a nice addition—they are core to the health and well being of a community. They are essential places to relax, reflect and bathe in nature. So this year, we celebrated the parks and green spaces of Douglas County by approaching 10 local artists and asking them to create a poster for a park or green space of their choice. Their designs and the project’s fundamental approach were partially inspired by the 1930s WPA National Parks posters, images that celebrated the wonder and majesty of the nation’s natural treasures. We believe that there are natural treasures here, in Douglas County, to explore and enjoy—and we hope you find your favorite among them.
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Artist: Shannon White (Hava Studios) Park Name: Clinton Lake Full Park Name: Clinton Lake State Park / Clinton Lake Reservoir / Clinton Lake Overlook Park N 1402 Rd; Lawrence The Clinton Lake complex is a collection of beaches, boat ramps, a marina, trails, campgrounds, parks and more with areas overseen by the state of Kansas and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The poster shows a popular area of Clinton Lake Overlook Park on the southeast side of the reservoir. Access to the Overlook Park is free; the state park sections require either a parks pass or a one-time entry fee.
Artist: Angie Pickman Park Name: Shaw Park Full Park Name: Sandra J. Shaw Community Health Park
110 Maine St; Lawrence One of the Lawrence’s newest parks, the 8 acres of Shaw Park include a pond (complete with a small island and a fishing dock) and a walking/biking trail that is part of the Lawrence Loop (a nearly complete, 22-mile continuous trail around the city).
Artist: Darin M. White (Hava Studios) Park Name: River Road Full Park Name: Scenic River Road East 1150 Rd and East 500 Rd; Lecompton Scenic River Road runs in two sections, East 1150 Road, which connects Lawrence and Lecompton and runs through wetlands formed around an oxbow lake, and then west out of Lecompton on East 500 Road. The western leg runs along woodland hillsides and bluffs overlooking the Kansas River.
Artist: Janella Williams (3 Clever Broads) Park Name: Potter Lake Full Park Name: Potter Lake University Drive, University of Kansas main campus; Lawrence Created in 1911 around natural springs, Potter Lake served as a recreational focus in its early years, but has been a decorative centerpiece of the KU campus over the past decades. The surrounding campus landmarks, including the Memorial Campanile and the green space of Marvin Grove, make this a treasured area for students and Lawrence residents alike.
Artist: Alex Olson Park Name: Stone Bison Full Park Name: Clinton Parkway Trail and Yankee Tank Connector Path 3100–3200 Block of Clinton Parkway; Lawrence The Clinton Parkway Trail is an urban concrete pathway running across much of southwestern Lawrence and featuring a popular landmark, the limestone sculpture known as the 23rd Street Bison. Approximately two blocks to the west of this sculpture, Yankee Tank Connector Path branches off the Parkway Trail and runs to the north through dense woodlands between residential developments.
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Artist: Lora Jost Park Name: Prairie Park Full Park Name: Prairie Park Nature Center 2730 Harper St; Lawrence The city-operated 100-acre nature preserve contains trails, the 5-acre Mary’s Lake, wetlands, woodlands and a free nature and educational center with exhibits, resident ambassador animals (including a blackfooted ferret and a bald eagle) and programs for all ages.
Artist: Jenni Leiste (Design-o-Saur studio) Park Name: Black Jack Battlefield Full Park Name: Black Jack Battlefield and Nature Park 163 E. 200 Rd; Wellsville (Baldwin City) The nature park contains the land where abolitionist John Brown battled and captured a proslavery militia in 1856. Brown, who was supported by the majority Free State residents in the area, was also instrumental in rallying citizens of Lawrence to defend themselves against armed raiders.
Artist: Torren Thomas Park Name: Friendship Garden Full Park Name: The Japanese Friendship Garden 1045 Massachusetts St; Lawrence The Japanese Friendship Garden was completed in 1995 to honor Lawrence’s sister city partnership with Hiratsuka, Japan. Representatives of the City of Hiratsuka helped design the garden, and Hiratsuka donated two of the garden centerpieces, including the 15-foot stone tower depicted in this poster.
Artist: Kassidee Quaranta Park Name: CPA Park Full Park Name: CPA Park 10 W 9th St; Eudora This park decorates downtown Eudora with garden beds, benches, green space and a statue commemorating the Native merchant Pascal Fisch and his daughter, Eudora, for whom the city is named. The park itself is named after the Central Protective Association, a lodge formed at Eudora in 1901 to offer collective protection from horse thieves.
Artist: Lana Grove Park Name: Wells Overlook Full Park Name: Wells Overlook County Park 1300 N. 1000 Rd; Wakarusa (Lawrence) This park features a wooden tower offering a view of the University of Kansas skyline and the surrounding rural landscape. The park also contains trails, a shelter and an ADA-compliant observation point. In May 2021, Douglas County approved a grant to help preserve the 135-acre farmland immediately around the park, thus protecting the territory and the view for years to come.
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LAWRENCE PARKS & GREEN SPACES The park and green spaces illustrations featured in this magazine are a continuation of a 2020 project celebrating parks and green spaces in Lawrence. All featured locations are open to the public.
The Parks & Green Spaces poster project is a partnership with Parks & Green Spaces, LLC. parksandgreenspaces.com
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