2008 Accomplishments

2008 Facts and Figures

  • 638,133 people visited a Parks and Recreation facility, which includes all recreation centers, nature center, aquatic centers, and rounds played at Eagle Bend.

  • 754 new trees were planted throughout the city - 513 for city projects; 241 with the Street Tree Program.

  • 22,381 enrollments were processed for citizens to participate in Parks and Recreation activities and programs, an increase of 4 percent from 2007.

  • The Recreation Division had an 8.7 percent increase in revenue ($1,674,385.44) over 2007, ending the year with 108 percent of its projected revenue.

  • Provided over $19,500 in scholarships for Lawrence youth to participate in department activities and programs.

  • Visitors to Prairie Park Nature Center increased 14 percent (23,710 visits) over 2007 (20,780 visits).

  • Aquatic monthly and annual passes were used 51,157 times a 4 percent increase over 2007 (49,260 times).

  • Received gifts and in-kind services totaling more than $34,000 through the Friends of the Park.

  • Recreation Instruction Division offered 23 percent more classes (979 in 2008 from 796 in 2007), resulting in a 6.4 percent increase in revenue over the previous year.

  • Facilities Operations staff spent 12,013.5 hours supervising Lawrence Parks and Recreation's indoor recreation facilities.

  • Indoor Aquatic Center hosted 13 swim meets with athletes from 9 states, totalling 8,995 athletes. Revenue from the meets was $12,720.

  • Adult Sports had the highest total team participation since 2002 with 799 teams participating in softball, basketball, volleyball, kickball and/or dodgeball, a 26 percent increase in team participation over 2007.

  • Special Populations Division had an increase of 14 percent in participation of programs offered.

  • The department had 783 volunteers serving more than 35,000 volunteer hours in service to the department as youth sports coaches, assisting with landscapes, caring for animals at the nature center and cleaning parks.

  • Developed and implemented an Integrated Pest Management program for reducing pesticides in public parks. The IPM was developed through discussions with community members and health care professionals.

  • Upgraded t-ball fields at Holcom Sports Complex; sealed and painted exterior walls of Holcom Park Recreation Center and installed security cameras in the center and parking lot; replaced vent in gym wall with glass blocks.

  • Improved/upgraded parks/trails including: Clinton Park- installed new playground; Downtown - continued installation of tree grates; painted light poles on river bridge; DeVictor Park - installed additional concrete trail at north end of park; Memorial Park Cemetery - asphalted overlay on cemetery roads; Arboretum - installed additional concrete sidewalk in water conservation area.