Parks Board 10.14.26

The City of Lawrence Parks Board met on October 14, 2026. Staff reported that the proposed 2027 budget includes a 7% reduction in the total parks budget and a 3% increase for civil employees. The Fall Creek trail extension has 90% plans complete and is awaiting agency reviews; bidding is expected this year, with construction planned for winter 2027. Its estimated construction cost is approximately $5.8 million, at the current budget maximum. The community center flooring project is scheduled to begin November 30 and finish by December 9. The Lee Road pickleball court resealing purchase order is already encumbered, with work expected in mid-to-late April 2027. Staff also described a Lilly Community Parks Initiative: the city is guaranteed $200,000 for planning, potentially including a five-year parks master plan, and may apply for up to $10 million in implementation funding, which is not guaranteed. No grant award or construction contract was approved at this meeting.

The board tabled again a proposed parking and access easement with DFAS for Community Park while staff continues discussions. Staff said it plans to propose higher facility rental rates for 2027 at the November meeting. An OYO youth baseball and softball representative reported the organization’s growth and its own investments, including a $100,000 investment in the Lee Road bullpen, and requested future consideration of parking-lot paving and striping, additional lighting, drainage improvements, and aligning the bullpen agreement renewal with the Veterans Memorial Park agreement; these were requests, not board approvals. The board approved the prior meeting minutes and received updates on events and operations. A commercial filming use of Community Park is scheduled to generate $1,500 in revenue.