A BALDWIN CITY NEWSPAPER
PARADE OF HOMES BRINGS CROWDS, SHOWCASES GROWTH ACROSS BALDWIN CITY AND BEYOND
The first weekend of the 2026 Spring Parade of Homes drew steady traffic across the region, with visitors touring newly built homes in Baldwin City, Lawrence and Eudora as part of a multi-weekend event highlighting local builders and housing trends.
Hosted by the Lawrence Home Builders Association, the Parade of Homes officially opened April 25 and continues through May 10, offering free, self-guided tours of new construction homes each weekend.
Homes were open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. during the first weekend locally, giving attendees the opportunity to walk through a variety of floor plans, finishes and price points without appointments. The event will continue next weekend with the same hours and access.
Baldwin City takes stage
Baldwin City played a major role in this year’s tour, with seven featured stops concentrated primarily in the Bluestem Circle and Industrial Park Road areas.
From entry-level builds to higher-end custom homes, the Baldwin lineup showcased a wide range of options:
• Homes in Baldwin City ranged from approximately $409,900 to more than $520,000
Multiple properties featured threebedroom, two-bath layouts, openconcept living spaces and three-car garages
• Several homes highlighted energy-efficient construction, vaulted ceilings, quartz countertops and custom cabinetry
• New developments like Heritage Addition #2 offered buildready lots, emphasizing continued residential growth in the community
Builders represented in Baldwin included a mix of local and regional companies, demonstrating continued investment in housing development and infrastructure within the city.
The concentration of homes in one area made Baldwin a convenient and appealing stop for visitors looking to tour multiple properties in a short amount of time.
Regional event brings big numbers
While Baldwin City’s presence was strong, the Parade of Homes spans a much larger footprint across northeast Kansas and the Kansas City metro.
Across the broader Spring Parade of Homes event:
• More than 300 homes are featured across multiple counties
• Homes range widely in price, from about $300,000 to $3 million
• The event includes single-family homes, villas, townhomes and maintenance-provided options
The event is one of the largest of its kind in the region and has been a longstanding tradition, offering residents a chance to explore current design trends, construction quality and neighborhood development.
Trends and takeaways
Visitors during the first weekend saw several consistent design trends across homes, including:
• Open-concept layouts with large kitchen islands
• Emphasis on natural light and outdoor living spaces
• High-end finishes such as quartz countertops and custom woodwork
• Functional additions like mudrooms, walk-in pantries and oversized garages
The “scattered site” format — with homes spread across multiple communities rather than a single subdivision — encouraged visitors to explore different towns, bringing additional traffic into Baldwin City.
Looking ahead to next weekend
The Parade of Homes will continue next weekend, giving those who missed the opening days another opportunity to explore homes in Baldwin City and surrounding communities.
With strong turnout during the first weekend and continued interest expected, organizers anticipate steady attendance as the event continues to highlight the region’s housing growth and the craftsmanship of local builders.
For Baldwin City, the event serves as both a showcase of new housing opportunities and a reflection of the community’s continued expansion — one front door at a time.
FRIENDS OF BALDWIN CITY LIBRARY PLANT SALE IS
COMMUNITY
The Baldwin City Council met April 21 at the Community Center, working through a full agenda that included ongoing project discussions, aquatics updates and continued conversation surrounding the proposed “bullpen” concept.
Bullpen discussion continues
One of the most closely followed topics remains the proposed bullpen project, which continues to generate interest and questions from both council members and the community.
The discussion focused largely on where the project stands and what steps are needed before moving forward. Council members emphasized the importance of fully understanding the scope of the project, including potential costs, long-term maintenance responsibilities and how it would fit within the city’s broader priorities.
Rather than taking action, the council used the time to ask questions and gather information, signaling that the project is still in an early stage. Members expressed interest in continuing the conversation but made it clear that more details will be needed before any decisions are made.
There was also recognition that the topic has sparked community conversation, and council members stressed the importance of keeping the public informed as plans develop.
Aquatics changes discussed
The council also heard updates related to Baldwin City’s aquatics programming, with Matt McClure, director of the Baldwin City Recreation Commission, outlining ongoing adjustments and considerations for the community pool.
The discussion centered on how the aquatics program is structured and how it can better reflect community use. McClure highlighted efforts to evaluate participation in programs such as swim lessons and
open swim, as well as how scheduling and staffing align with demand.
Changes to pool passes and pricing structures were also discussed as part of an effort to balance accessibility for residents with the financial sustainability of the program.
In addition to operational adjustments, the conversation touched on longterm needs for the facility, including maintenance and potential future improvements. McClure emphasized that the pool remains an important community asset, particularly during the summer months, and that ongoing evaluation is necessary to ensure it continues to serve residents effectively.
Balancing growth and responsibility
Both The Bullpen and aquatics discussions reflected a broader theme seen throughout the meeting — balancing new ideas and community amenities with responsible planning and budgeting.
Council members emphasized the importance of:
Understanding long-term impacts before committing to projects
Ensuring alignment with existing city priorities
Maintaining transparency with residents as discussions continue
Other updates and next meeting
The council also worked through routine updates tied to city operations as Baldwin City prepares for the busy spring and summer season, including increased activity from community events and continued residential growth.
With several items still in the discussion phase, additional updates are expected in upcoming meetings.
The next Baldwin City Council meeting is scheduled for May 5 at 7 p.m. at the Community Center.
COMMUNITY
DOUGLAS COUNTY HERITAGE CONSERVATION COUNCIL AWARDS TOTAL OF $250,000 IN GRANTS TO 22 COMMUNITY PROJECTS
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council (HCC) announces the recipients of the 2026 Natural and Cultural Heritage grant program after receiving approval from the Board of County Commissioners on April 15. A total of $250,000 was awarded to 22 projects.
“The Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program continues to be a critical funding source for important heritage conservation projects across Douglas County,” Heritage Conservation Coordinator Kaitlyn Ammerlaan said. “Spanning many different topics and places across the county, this year’s award recipients will host community events and uplift living heritage, protect heritage resources that may soon be lost, and promote and share our rich heritage stories to both residents and visitors.”
There were two grant categories:
• Target grants, which support projects that have a significant and lasting impact on the conservation of the county’s natural and cultural resources. Eleven projects were awarded a total of $210,000.
• Seed grants, which support smallerscale projects. Eleven projects were awarded $40,000.
The following projects received target grants:
• Douglas County Historical Society, $35,000, for “Stories of Resilience” exhibitions that will explore experiences of Indigenous Peoples and their relationships with other groups in Douglas County across time. It will be displayed on the second floor of Watkins Museum of History.
• Haskell Indian Nations University, $35,000, to support a powwow and community buffalo harvest and feed that will commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Haskell Stadium and Arch. This community-led event will bring together Native students, alumni, tribal leaders, artists, and the public to honor the past, celebrate the present and
inspire future generations.
• Native Lands Restoration Collaborative, Inc., $30,000, for restoration of the woodlands encompassing Burroughs Creek to native plant life. This project will connect restoration work at Haskell Indian Nations University campus to the public lands of Lawrence, providing education on native landscapes and the connections with native plants in our region.
• KU Museum Studies (KU Center for Research, Inc.), $26,600, to pay a graduate assistant from KU’s Museum Studies masters’ program to conduct preservation, documentation and publicity activities relating to the historic collections of the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum, which include 3,000 Native American historical artifacts, photographs and artworks, making them more accessible to the community.
• Outdoors Unscripted, $20,000, to support five artist commissions and present five public events that invite residents to explore prairie ecosystems, river corridors and rural heritage sites through art, storytelling and hands-on discovery.
• Kapwa Leadership, $19,200, to commission Native artists through The Douglas County Native Mural Mentorship Project to create garage-door-scale public murals across Lawrence by pairing each artist with a paid intern to build the next generation of public art practitioners.
• Kansas Biological Survey (KU Center for Research, Inc.), $13,000, to conduct research and develop mobile educational kits and create an exhibit for the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center that highlights the variety of freshwater mussels found in the Wakarusa River including themes related to river ecology, threats to the mussel populations and historical significance regarding tribal uses of mussels.
• United Cemetery Association, $12,200, to hire a professional restoration service to clean and restore grave markers dating from the late 1800s to the early 1900s in the Appanoose Cemetery.
• Lawrence Model Railroad Club, $10,000, to create a model railroad to educate the public about the historical significance of railroading in the development and growth of Douglas County.
• Botanical Belonging, $5,000, to develop and implement a school-based native garden and prairie education initiative in partnership with USD 497 and the Environmental Studies Program at the University of Kansas through educational workshops, installation of native plant gardens on school grounds and long-term stewardship practices.
• Fisch Bowl Inc., $4,000, for a collaboration between Open Studios and the Haskell Cultural Center and Museum to partner with landlords who own vacant storefronts to offer indigenous artists free studios to share their art, history and culture with the public launching in time for the World Cup.
The following projects received seed grants:
• Lawrence Arts Center, $5,000, for The La Yarda children’s book which will tell the story and history of the East Lawrence Mexican American community that was housed by the Santa Fe Railroad between 1920-1951.
• Prairie City Cemetery Association, $5,000, to support Phase 2 of the Prairie City Cemetery Preservation & Heritage Project, preserving 95 of the cemetery’s historic tombstones.
• Kaw Valley Prescribed Burn Association, $4,500, for necessary equipment to support a newly-formed Prescribed Burn Association, a group of landowners who help each other with prescribed burning to benefit wildlife,
combat woody encroachment and reestablish native habitat.
• Harvestry by Hand, $4,000, to host seasonal events about the heritage craft of wool making and weaving.
• Lawrence Public Library, $4,000, for educational programs about native plants and landscapes in the community and to increase access to the plants.
• Sparks on the Creek, $4,000, for the return and expansion of the Firefly Festival along Burroughs Creek in Lawrence.
• Great Blue Heron, Inc., $3,000, to create or improve canoe and kayak access points on Rock Creek above Clinton Reservoir.
• Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners, $3,000, to create gravel pathways for the new native and medicinal garden.
• Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, $2,725, for the third annual Traditions Fest in honor of Minority Mental Health Month to expand the event into a community-building gathering for team members and clients.
• Operation Wildlife Inc., $2,500, to purchase and distribute educational yard signs that prompt pet owners to take steps to protect birds and wildlife in their backyards.
• Lumberyard Arts Center, Inc., $2,275, for a program that invites residents to explore conserved and historically significant landscapes and respond through creative expression.
Since the program launched in 2011, Douglas County has awarded more than $3.6 million to over 150 projects. A story map of past projects is available at http:// dgcoks.gov/hcc/grantmap.
For more information about these grants and the Douglas Heritage Conservation Council, visit: https://www. dgcoks.gov/hcc.
BALDWIN CITY TREE BOARD TO HOST ANNUAL TREE GIVEAWAY MAY 2
Baldwin City residents will have the opportunity to add a little more shade — and a lot more beauty — to their yards during the Baldwin City Tree Board’s annual Tree Give-Away, set for Saturday, May 2 from 8 to 11 a.m.
The event will take place on the west side of the Baldwin City Public Library, coinciding with the library’s popular plant sale and creating a onestop destination for spring planting.
Founded in 2002, the Baldwin City Tree Board has long focused on expanding the community’s tree canopy and educating residents about the benefits of trees. From cooling neighborhoods during the hot Kansas summers to improving air quality and enhancing curb appeal, trees play a key role in the health and character of the community.
“One of our main goals is to encourage people to plant trees,” board members said. “It’s something that benefits not just individual homeowners, but the entire town.”
How it works
Each year, the Tree Board purchases small, bare-root trees in the spring and spends a full year nurturing them in one-gallon pots. Those trees are then given away the following spring to local residents, continuing a cycle of growth that steadily adds to Baldwin City’s green spaces.
This year, attendees can expect to find young trees ranging from 1 to 3 feet tall, ready to be planted and grown at home.
Available species are expected to include:
Sargent Crabapple
Black Cherry
Linden (Basswood)
Ginkgo
Sugar Maple Lilac
Tree Board members will be onsite throughout the morning to provide planting instructions, care tips and guidance, helping ensure each tree has the best chance to thrive.
Supporting future growth
While the trees are free, the Tree Board encourages free-will donations, which go directly toward purchasing next year’s seedlings and sustaining the program from season to season. Those
THURSDAY, APRIL 30,
BEGINNING AT 5:30 P.M. IN FRONT OF THE LUMBERYARD ARTS CENTER.
The evening will kick off with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce, celebrating the completion of the arts center’s exterior façade improvements. Following the ceremony, guests are invited inside for an after-party honoring the many individuals who helped bring the project to life — “the people behind the bricks.”
Attendees can enjoy champagne, cake and a charcuterie board provided by Baldwin City Beer Company, along with an evening centered around community, creativity and appreciation.
Organizers encourage community members, supporters and friends of the arts center to attend and celebrate together. RSVPs are appreciated for those planning to join.
The Lumberyard Arts Center looks forward to welcoming the community next week — hopefully with sunshine — to mark this exciting milestone.
Red Oak Bur Oak
MAPLE WEEKLY TO HOST 2026 BALDWIN CITY CITYWIDE GARAGE SALES LISTINGS
Baldwin City’s annual community garage sale tradition is returning this summer, with The Maple Weekly once again stepping in to help organize and promote the event. The 2026 Baldwin City Citywide Garage Sales are scheduled for as early as Thursdya, June 4 - Saturday, June 6, with listings also including participating sales happening Friday through Sunday of that weekend.
Unlike last year, there will be a streamlined approach to how the event is published and shared with the community.
“We’re simplifying things this year,” said Jenni with The Maple Weekly. “Instead of producing a separate pamphlet, all listings will be published directly in the newspaper.”
One guide, multiple ways to access
Garage sale listings will be printed in The Maple Weekly, giving readers a centralized, easy-to-follow guide to sales happening across Baldwin City. The guide will also be available in a digital format, though organizers note that the print edition is expected to be the primary go-to for shoppers planning their routes.
Printed copies of the newspaper will be widely available throughout the community, including at Baldwin City Market, the Post Office, Homestead Kitchen and Bakery and Casey’s. Additional copies will also be available at City Hall and the Baldwin City Public Library to ensure easy access for residents and visitors alike.
Registration is now open, and residents are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot in the listings. Listings can be submitted here: https://tally.so/r/gDN6rN
Listings are due by June 1 at noon, with all submissions scheduled to be printed in the newspaper published on Thursday, June 4.
The newspaper format allows for expanded visibility, with the potential for multiple pages of listings depending on participation, and printed copies will be limited.
For additional details and updates, visit baldwinmaple.com.
Get registered, plan ahead
Only garage sales scheduled for Friday, Saturday or Sunday of the event weekend will be included in the official listings.
With strong participation expected once again, The Maple Weekly aims to make the 2026 event as accessible and well-organized as possible — connecting shoppers and sellers while keeping one of Baldwin City’s most popular community traditions thriving.
Residents are encouraged to register now, mark their calendars for June 4-6 and start preparing for another busy weekend of bargain hunting across Baldwin City. Scan to Register
EUDORA TO HOST “MEET YOUR CANDIDATES” EVENT MAY 6
Residents in Eudora, Baldwin City and surrounding areas will have an opportunity to hear directly from several state and federal candidates during an upcoming meet-and-greet event in nearby Eudora.
The “Meet Your Candidates” event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Barbed Wire Barbecue, located at 601 E. 10th St. in Eudora .
Hosted by the Douglas County Democrats of Eudora, the event will feature appearances from:
• Don Coover, candidate for U.S. Congress
• Dinah Sykes, candidate for Kansas Insurance Commissioner
• Chris Mann, candidate for Kansas Attorney General Organizers say the event is open to the public and designed to give community members a chance to meet the candidates in an informal setting,
ask questions and learn more about their platforms ahead of upcoming elections.
The gathering will take place on the Barbed Wire patio, where attendees can visit with candidates while enjoying barbecue and drinks available for purchase. A gift card giveaway is also planned as part of the evening .
While the event is being held in Eudora, organizers noted that the candidates’ districts include portions of Baldwin City, making the event relevant for local residents who want to stay informed and engaged.
Events like this are a common way for candidates to connect with voters at the community level, particularly in areas where district lines overlap multiple towns.
The event is free to attend and open to anyone interested in learning more about the candidates and their positions.
PIN LIGHT OF HOPE
By Jeanine Ross
What does it mean to hope? The dictionary says hope is “a feeling of expectation and desire.” The bible says hope is to expect something you cannot see with your senses, but believe you can have. I think both definitions are absolutely correct. Hope is that thing that keeps us moving forward, even when all the lights are out, and you have no idea where you’re going, but you expect it to be good. Hope is a glorious thing! I can’t imagine a life without it, nor do I want one without it.
Unfortunately, too many people are closing their eyes and their hearts to hope. They get a scary diagnosis, or an unwanted court decision, or somebody they love dies unexpectedly, or a divorce they didn’t see coming. There are a million reasons why people give up on hope. But what does that lead to, and why is it so important to hold on to hope, no matter what is happening in your life?
Hope is said to be a foundational block in your faith. Without hope, how do you have faith? Good question. That four-letter word encompasses the very essence of who and what we are. Without hope, there are no future doctors or preachers, or philosophers, or
children, or beliefs, or anything that moves us forward. We have to have hope!
So, for all those people who have decided that hope is insignificant and unnecessary because things aren’t going the way they want them to, I say, consider this. In order to have a direction in life, you must first imagine what you want, visualize getting it, and do what you have to do to get there. That is called hope. Without it, you cannot move forward, and backward is not an option. Without hope, there is no tomorrow. So, open your eyes and your heart! Release the disappointments and fears from yesterday and place your eyes on the horizon of life. With just a pin light of hope, no matter how small your hope is, you will change your life for the better. With just a pin light of hope, you can find joy and love and peace in the worst of circumstances, and you can be the beacon of light for all those around you. When that diagnosis doesn’t seem favorable, hope says God has the last word! When that court decision is not what you hoped for, hope says it’s not the end! When someone you love leaves this world, hope says you will see them again on the other side! When the love of your life walks out of your life, hope says something better is coming! Don’t give up on hope, because hope says, there is still so much more to come! Be the pin light!
So, if you really want your life to change for the better, it begins by “Thinking Outside the Box.”
COMMUNITY CONCERN EASES AFTER FALSE EMERGENCY CALL AT BAKER UNIVERSITY
What began as a wave of concern across Baldwin City a late Sunday night has since been clarified as a false emergency call, often referred to as “swatting,” according to early reports.
Around 10 p.m. on April 12, residents began noticing a surge of emergency activity near Collins Center on the Baker University campus. Social media quickly filled with posts as community members tried to piece together what was happening.
“I think a lot of us saw the posts at the same time and immediately got worried,” one local resident said. “When you hear something like ‘stabbing’ and see emergency vehicles heading that direction, your mind goes to the worst.”
Posts in local online groups, including the widely followed Lawrence and Douglas County scanner page, suggested a potentially serious situation, with early reports indicating multiple victims and even the possibility of helicopters being deployed.
However, as law enforcement arrived on scene, those concerns were quickly put to rest.
Authorities determined there was no evidence of a stabbing and no victims were found, and the call was cleared shortly after officers assessed the situation.
Early information circulating online and through unofficial channels indicates the incident may have been a case of “swatting,” a dangerous hoax in which someone falsely reports a serious emergency to prompt a large law enforcement response.
While no injuries were reported and there was no ongoing threat to campus or the community, the situation still raised concerns about the risks associated with false emergency calls.
Swatting incidents are considered dangerous not only because they divert emergency resources, but also because they can put both first responders and the public at risk during highintensity responses.
Some online speculation has connected the call to a TikTok livestream taking place at the gym that evening, though no official confirmation has been released.
As of now, neither the university nor local law enforcement agencies have issued a formal statement detailing the source of the call or whether an investigation is ongoing.
For many in Baldwin City, the incident served as a reminder of how quickly information — and misinformation — can spread, and how rapidly concern can build across the community during uncertain situations.
This remains a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
COMMUNITY
BCRC UPDATES
AQUATICS
Registration open for Private Pool Parties, Pool Passes, Swim Lessons, and Swim Team
Reminder: Those purchasing a pool pass for the first time OR who have lost their previous scan card must purchase their pool pass in person at the Community Center
Evening Pool Pass Purchase Opportunity: Tuesday, April 21, from 5PM-8PM @ Community Center
SPECIAL EVENTS
Thunder on the Bricks Registration Open: Every car has a story—come hear them roar! Our classic car show revs back into town on May 9, but you can skip the lines and register your vehicle now. Motorcycles welcome too! The first 200 registrants will receive a commemorative dash plaque with the 2026 logo.
Volunteer Form Now Open for Thunder on the Bricks: https://forms.gle/ Hohnn2PcsLpppCXt8
NEW EVENT: Sips on the Square Beer, Wine & Spirit Festival:
Let the good times be-GIN at our inaugural Sips on the Square Festival—an afternoon dedicated to locally crafted beer, wine, and spirits in the heart of the community. Join us Saturday, June 6, in Sullivan Square for a curated tasting experience featuring 10+ vendors from across the region. Sip and savor
while enjoying live music and light appetizers in a lively, open-air setting. Tickets on sale now!
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Registration Open for Summer Athletic Programs:
Barracudas Swim Team:
Perfect for swimmers ages 6 and up who are ready for their next aquatic adventures! Coached by senior lifeguards and former competitive swimmers with four Swim Meets against other local swim teams. Must be able to swim 25 yards unassisted.
Summer Soccer Camp:
The BHS girls and boys soccer programs are hosting a summer soccer camp the week of June 8-12. Choose between two age brackets (preschool and K-8th grade) and learn from BHS’s decorated coaches and players (accolades include 2025 boys state runner-up and 5-time girls regional champions).
Summer Tennis Camp:
SWING into action with our youth Tennis Camp! Led by BHS Head Tennis Coach Jim Ashcraft and his BHS players, Tennis Camp runs two weeks (4 days/week) and is split by age (6-10 years old & 11-14 years old). Adult Activities
EVENT POSTEDPONED:
We unfortunately need to reschedule our April 30 Women’s Self-Defense Class as the T.A.K.E. Instructor is no longer
