Did you miss our O'Connell South Common Workshop on October 19th? Check out the presentation boards from the meeting and if you have any questions or opinions reach out to
Eddie Rosa erosa@groundworklawrence.org
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us and stay on the lookout for the next community workshop!
O'Connell South Common Presentation Boards
To provide feedback on the current designs or to register to stay informed, or if you have any questions or opinions reach out to Eddie Rosa erosa@groundworklawrence.org
Past Workshops: |
O'Connell South Common Workshop
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The goals of the project are to create a destination for accessible play, design and select accessible play features, and restore and activate the bandstand. This workshop is structured around a series of stations where participants will be asked key questions about how to advance the renovations. We urge the community to come out and be involved in the redevelopment of this important Lawrence destination.
The O'Connell South Common is one of the most visited parks in the city, not just by residents of the South Common neighborhood but by residents from all over the city. The park's softball diamonds are some of the most preferred fields to play on by softball leagues, while still playing host to volleyball games, soccer games, and basketball games. The South Common also hosts Groundwork Lawrence's annual Kite Festival utilizing the slope along Salem St.
The playground and the bandstand are important amenities at the O’Connell South Common that require meaningful renovations. The playground has a couple of significant issues—the equipment is in disrepair, and it is too small to provide play opportunities for an extended period. The bandstand is a community landmark, but decades have passed since it hosted a concert because of accessibility challenges associated with accessing the second-floor performance space. Renovations to both amenities were high priorities by residents during the previous public outreach and the City of Lawrence has applied to the Land & Water Conservation Fund to secure funds to support renovations of these amenities.
While the Common was closed, the city used the time to develop concepts for a playground and evaluating physical improvements to activate the historic bandstand. The project team is excited to bring these concepts to the public for input on important design decisions at the next public meeting at the O'Connell South Common on Tuesday, October 19th at 5 pm.