Parks board discusses master plan, parking-lot survey and youth outreach; seeks maintenance planning

The Lawrence City Parks Board used its Feb. 11 meeting to press staff on planning and maintenance for upcoming projects and to brainstorm ways to increase youth participation in parks programs.

Parks staff said Public Works has issued a survey proposal for a parking-lot project; once the lot is surveyed the city will solicit material quotes and hopes to complete drainage and storm-sewer upgrades and construction "before July 4," staff said. Members asked that the five-year master plan include a maintenance appendix covering life expectancy and upkeep costs for play structures, mowers and other equipment so the city can budget sustainment alongside new capital work.

"We hope to have something done before July 4," Eric said when describing the parking-lot schedule. Several members urged including a maintenance plan and equipment-rotation schedule in the master plan to ensure communities can maintain new installations.

Board members also discussed outreach and partnerships to increase participation. Members suggested working with the Central Library's children's librarians, local Latino organizations, the Boys & Girls Club and school coaches to create low-cost clinics and events. The board highlighted an opportunity tied to national attention on girls' flag football: the NFL will host a national girls flag-football championship at Grand Park this summer, and members discussed running clinics with high-school coaches and local providers.

The board asked staff to issue RFPs for the five-year master plan and to consider bids from StructurePoint, universities or other firms. Members requested that staff return with a clearer schedule and cost estimates for both the parking-lot work and the master-plan procurement.

Next steps: staff will circulate master-plan RFPs, secure additional quotes for the pickleball court seal and present updated schedules and estimates at the March meeting.