> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizenjournal.us/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Lawrence Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Summary - URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/lawrence-parks-recreation-advisory-board-summary-8/ - Published: 2026-09-15T13:41:44.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-15T13:41:44.000Z - Description: Week of September 15, 2026 - Author: Cronkite - Tags: lcj, #summary, dnn # Board endorses privately funded performance platform for South Park # Parks and recreation department down two assistant directors # Phase 2 renovations underway at the Outdoor Aquatic Center # Disability rights advocate joins Parks and Recreation Advisory Board # Ice elected chair of Parks and Recreation Advisory Board # City and county prepare FIFA World Cup after-action reports # Phoenix Award nominations open for arts and culture # Grant-funded 'bike bus' program launches for elementary students # Commemorative FIFA World Cup pingpong table installed at rec center --- ### Board endorses privately funded performance platform for South Park LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously endorsed a proposal from the Lawrence City Band to construct a new elevated concrete performance platform in South Park. The 14-inch raised platform, featuring a brick surround designed to match the park's historic William Kelly Bandstand, would accommodate the band's growing size and aging members who struggle with the bandstand's stairs. The $150,000 project will be entirely funded by the band through private donations, including a $50,000 memorial gift, requiring no taxpayer funds. The proposal will now go to the city commission for final approval. --- ### Parks and recreation department down two assistant directors LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Lawrence Parks, Recreation and Culture Department is operating with a significantly reduced leadership team following the recent retirement of Assistant Director of Parks Mark Hecker. Department Director Lindsay Hart announced that the department now has two vacant assistant director positions. Staff members are actively interviewing candidates this week to fill the recreation vacancy and will soon post the open parks position. --- ### Phase 2 renovations underway at the Outdoor Aquatic Center LAWRENCE, Kan. — Phase 2 of the major renovation project at the Lawrence Outdoor Aquatic Center, located at 727 Kentucky St., has officially begun. Construction crews have already dismantled the pool's water slides and started excavation work inside the main pool area. Parks and recreation staff noted that the site is already looking vastly different and suggested organizing a future community viewing event to watch the construction progress. --- ### Disability rights advocate joins Parks and Recreation Advisory Board LAWRENCE, Kan. — Ray Petty, a longtime disability rights advocate who was involved with national advocacy for the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), was introduced as the newest member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Petty brings decades of experience in independent living advocacy, capacity building and wheelchair sports, having worked extensively with ADA symposiums nationwide. He hopes to help the board expand inclusive fitness and recreational activities for all residents. --- ### Ice elected chair of Parks and Recreation Advisory Board LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously elected Lee Ice as its new chair during the September meeting. Ice, a lifelong Lawrence resident and retired Lawrence Parks and Recreation youth sports supervisor with 31 years of experience, replaces outgoing chair Vickie Collie-Akers. The board also unanimously elected former city commissioner and University of Kansas faculty member John Nalbandian to serve as vice chair. --- ### City and county prepare FIFA World Cup after-action reports LAWRENCE, Kan. — Explore Lawrence, the local tourism organization, and Douglas County are currently finalizing after-action reports regarding the city's role as a base camp during the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup. Explore Lawrence is compiling revenue estimates and data for its internal report detailing the economic impact of hosting the Algerian National Soccer Team, while the county is preparing a comprehensive incident command report expected to be released in November. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board plans to review the reports to glean insights for managing future large-scale events. --- ### Phoenix Award nominations open for arts and culture LAWRENCE, Kan. — The city is currently accepting nominations for the annual Phoenix Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the Lawrence arts and culture community. Residents have until Oct. 5, 2026, to nominate individuals or organizations that have made significant impacts on the city's cultural landscape. This year's awards ceremony will be held in conjunction with a local arts market. --- ### Grant-funded 'bike bus' program launches for elementary students LAWRENCE, Kan. — A new "bike bus" program for Cordley Elementary School students successfully completed its inaugural ride last Friday. Funded by a Safe Routes to School Programming Grant, the program provides organized, supervised routes for families and students to safely commute to school on bicycles. The routes navigate through various neighborhood locations, including Burroughs Creek Park, and will continue to operate on a scheduled basis. --- ### Commemorative FIFA World Cup pingpong table installed at rec center LAWRENCE, Kan. — A commemorative pingpong table used by the Algerian National Soccer Team during their stay in the city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has found a permanent home at the East Lawrence Recreation Center. Parks and recreation staff announced that the table has been custom-framed and mounted on the wall of the facility. The installation serves as a permanent display celebrating the city's role as a team base camp for the international event. --- [Click here for local obituaries](https://cjus.me/lcj-obit?ref=citizenjournal.us) [Click here for local jail logs](https://cjus.me/lcj-jail?ref=citizenjournal.us) --- --- Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? 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