11/09/26 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

The Lawrence Parks & Recreation Advisory Board met November 9, 2026. Its main funding item was review of 33 applications to the 2027 Unmistakable Event Grant Program: requests totaled $367,965 against a $150,000 budget set by the City Commission. After discussing scoring and funding cutoffs, a motion was made and seconded to recommend 80% funding for the top 13 applications and 16% for the 14th, using the full $150,000. The transcript does not capture a formal vote tally. The recommendations are to go to the City Commission, likely December 1, for final approval. Board members also discussed reviewing the process and outcomes before the next grant cycle, and the possibility of recommending a larger program budget in a future city budget process.

The board approved the October meeting minutes. Staff reported that work is underway on the swimming pool renovation, including two large slides and a separate children’s pool with slides; the goal is to reopen next summer. The update referenced bid alternatives but gave no contract award, vendor, or project cost. Other reports covered staffing, recreation programming, and upcoming events; no additional procurement decisions were identified.