Groundwork Lawrence, Inc. is a locally-based 501(c) 3 non-profit organization working to create sustainable environmental change through community-based partnerships. Groundwork Lawrence is an affiliate of Groundwork USA. The Groundwork USA network is built on partnership and linked together by the Groundwork USA national office, with support from the Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program and the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. Groundwork’s mission and operations are premised on the understanding that environmental conditions are inextricably linked to the economic and social health of a neighborhood. As a consequence, Groundwork is committed to “changing places and changing lives” through on-the-ground projects that help to transform local communities. To accomplish this, Groundwork leads and supports a variety of partnership-driven efforts that bring together the public, private and non-profit sectors to solve complex environmental problems and sustain a long-term vision for neighborhood change and renewal.
The formal mission of the organization is “to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships which empower people, businesses and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being.” On a broad conceptual level, Groundwork accomplishes this by:
Changing Places:
GWL manages the design, development and improvement of open spaces, including parks, playgrounds, community gardens, trails and streetscapes in Lawrence, and engages residents, businesses, and other stakeholders in the design process.
GWL manages the reclamation of Brownfields (assessment and cleanup of contaminated land) for open space re-use.
GWL works with local residents and businesses to plant and care for trees in neighborhoods and business districts throughout the City.
GWL organizes volunteers to help clean up and improve the City’s waterways, parks, and public spaces.
In partnership with the City of Lawrence, GWL leverages public and private funding to support environmental improvement projects.
Changing Lives:
GWL manages programs and events that engage people as caretakers and stewards of Lawrence’s environment.
GWL manages programs that teach local youth to be environmental leaders and provide on-the-job training and career development opportunities.
GWL manages programs that improve quality of life and public health for City residents.
GWL holds events that celebrate our parks, waterways and open spaces.
Accomplishments
Physical Improvements:
In partnership with the City of Lawrence, Groundwork Lawrence has provided design and construction management services for $4.2 million of capital improvements to parks and public spaces, with an additional $3.2 million of projects in the pipeline. To date, Groundwork has helped to improve more than 200 acres of public parkland with new signage, play equipment, amenities and plantings, representing approximately 75 percent of the City’s total inventory of green space. Groundwork has also built two new parks on formerly vacant and contaminated land, created four new community gardens, cleaned up and improved more than five miles of wooded trails, and planted nearly 250 trees, 400 shrubs, and 3,000 bulbs and perennials in public spaces throughout the city.
Community Involvement and Education:
Over the past six years, Groundwork volunteers have contributed approximately 22,000 hours to community projects, including river and park cleanups, tree planting, and beautification efforts. To accomplish this, Groundwork Lawrence regularly partners with more than 25 local schools and community groups and 30 local businesses. Since its inception in 1999, Groundwork educational programs and volunteer events have engaged more than 2,500 youth and 3,000 adults in hands-on learning and community service.
As part of our commitment to community rejuvenation, Groundwork Lawrence provides vocational training and seasonal employment opportunities for local residents. To date, GWL has provided 76 weeks of environmental job training and created 73 jobs for Lawrence teens and adults. GWL also manages the Lawrence Downtown Farmers Market, which provides more than $30,000 of fresh, locally-grown produce to low-income families each year and brings an average of 300 people into the downtown each week throughout the market season.
Leveraging Resources:
To date, Groundwork Lawrence has leveraged more than $1.7 million of public funding for environmental projects and programs and generated $2.25 million in private sector support, including grant funding and donations of in-kind materials and services.
Groundwork Lawrence is a dynamic and growing organization consisting of five staff members with expertise in urban and environmental planning and design, community outreach, education, and financial management. Groundwork also retains the services of a variety of consultants with expertise in landscape architecture, urban forestry, brownfield site assessment and cleanup, environmental education, and real estate development. In addition, our partnership with the Urban Ecology Institute has provided valuable assistance with scientific and legal matters. Our nine-member Board of Directors represents a variety of professions and interests closely aligned with Groundwork Lawrence’s mission.
