07/13/26 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board

The July 13, 2026 meeting of the Lawrence Parks & Recreation Advisory Board focused primarily on discussions around establishing a new community foundation, the Lawrence Loves Parks Foundation, aimed at supporting and funding local parks, recreation facilities, and green spaces. The foundation is intended to operate as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in partnership with the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF), which currently manages several funds related to parks and recreation. Board members and community representatives discussed the structure, donor engagement, and fund management, including endowed funds and designated donations for specific programs or projects. The conversation also covered the coordination between the foundation, the Parks and Recreation Department, and city administration, emphasizing transparency and collaboration. No formal votes were recorded on the foundation creation, but the board considered forming a subcommittee for further research. Additional topics included updates on community engagement efforts, summer programming, and upcoming agenda items such as the North Lawrence Corridor Study and a presentation from the library regarding their foundation and DCCF account.