Douglas County newcomers Guide 2024

EDITOR

Nathan Pettengill

ART DIRECTOR

Alex Tatro

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Fally Afani

Ryan Coody

Jason Dailey

Kayla Kohn

David Rintoul

Michael Snell

Bill Stephens

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Amber Fraley

COPY EDITOR

Leslie Clugston Andres

ADVERTISING

Joanne Morgan (785) 832-7264

jmorgan@sunflowerpub.com

DIRECTOR

Bob Cucciniello

PUBLISHER

Bill Uhler

Whether you have come from across the globe or from just beyond the county line, we are delighted to welcome you to Douglas County.

We are proud of our communities in Douglas County. We take pride in cultivating safe neighborhoods, exceptional schools, exciting entertainment venues, numerous outdoor opportunities, and a sense of inclusivity and affirmation throughout.

This guide is dedicated to helping you explore and enjoy your new home region. Here, you will find essential numbers and contact information as well as a few recommendations for places to visit and events to attend in your first year.

Thank you for choosing this area of Kansas as your new home. We are honored to have you among us.

The Douglas County Newcomers Guide is released annually by Sunflower Publishing, publisher of Baldwin City Living, Discover Eudora and Lawrence Magazine 1035 N. Third St. Suite 101-B Lawrence, KS 66044 (888) 497-8668 www.sunflowerpub.com

REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED

The Douglas County Newcomers Guide strives to help new residents adapt to and enjoy their new hometown. Our recommendations and listings are not comprehensive. This guide will refer you to outside publications and websites for additional information. All data and listings are subject to change. The Douglas County Newcomers Guide cannot assume responsibility for outside information, errors or omissions. Any inaccuracies, changes or additions can be directed to Sunflower Publishing.

Lawrence designer and drag artist Johnny Diablo participates in the 2023 PRIDE parade. Photograph by Jason Dailey.

what’s inside

Though frequently seen in the skies of Douglas county, the red-tailed hawk holds many mysteries that scientists across North America—and here, close to home—are continuing to unravel

Buskers perform at the annual Lawrence Buskers Fest. The event is held annually, usually on Memorial Day weekend, in downtown Lawrence.

Photo by Fally Afani.

Essential Newcomer Information By the Numbers

ESSENTIAL NEWCOMER INFORMATION

Douglas County Government douglas-county.com

(785) 832-5100

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical Services

(785) 830-7000

All Douglas County Emergency Services

911

Daily Fire Burn Status for Douglas County

(785) 832-5394

Weather Radio Frequencies for Douglas County Alerts

Channel 2: 162.425 (Halls Summit)

Channel 4: 162.475 (Topeka)

Channel 7: 162.550 (Pleasant Hill)

County Health Department ldchealth.org

(785) 843-3060

Lawrence Memorial Hospital lmh.org

(785) 505-5000

Senior Resource Center for Douglas County yoursrc.org

(785) 842-0543

Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging Jayhawkaaa.org

(785) 832-0754

Electrical Power—Evergy evergy.com

(800) 383-1183

Gas—Black Hills Energy blackhillsenergy.com

(888) 890-5554

Douglas County Extension Office

douglas.k-state.edu

(785) 843-7058

BY THE NUMBERS*

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Population: 119,964

Median household income: $62,594

Median value of owner-occupied housing: $224,200

Percentage of home ownership: 50.1%

Mean travel time to work (in minutes): 20.3

Percentage of persons under 25 years and over with high school diploma or higher

96.3%

Percentage of persons 25 years and over with bachelor’s degree or higher: 52.3%

*Source U.S. Census Bureau

douglas county

Above: A Danish cream pastry from 1900 Barker. Left: Participants in the annual PRIDE parade gather in downtown Lawrence. Photos by Jason Dailey.

Where do people live in Douglas County?

79.85% 10.3%

the case for Douglas County

Residents of Douglas County enjoy clean air, good government, excellent public education, local foods, entertainment districts, Americana downtowns, and natural recreation areas.

Affordable home and rental properties range from farmhouses, with plenty of acreage for livestock and expansive gardens, to urban lofts at the heart of the downtown communities.

The region’s government institutions and services are proactive and progressive.

Douglas County schools are some of the best in the state, with support for educational values bolstered by the presence of major universities.

While the towns of Douglas County share many resources and work toward common goals, they do not sprawl into one another. Each has a distinct history, character, housing market, economic base, school system and municipal amenities. We hope this guide helps introduce them to you and allows you to begin your own explorations of Douglas County.

ESSENTIAL NEWCOMER INFORMATION

Baldwin City Essential Newcomer Information

Baldwin City Hall Baldwincity.org

(785) 594-6427

Baldwin City Fire Department

(785) 594-3678

Baldwin City Recreation Commission baldwincity.recdesk.com

(785) 594-3670

Baldwin City USD 348 usd348.com

(785) 594-2721

Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce baldwincitychamber.com

(785) 594-3200

Baker University

bakeru.edu

(785) 594-6451

By the Numbers

BY THE NUMBERS*

Population: 4,684

Median household income: $74,074

Median value of owner-occupied housing: $169,500

Total Households: 1,469

Percentage of people under 18 years: 21%

Percentage of people 65 years and older: 13%

Percentage of people 25 years and over with bachelor’s degree or higher: 41.1%

Percentage of people 16 years and over who walk to work: 11.6%

Percentage of people 16 years and over who work inside Douglas County: 66.3%

*Source: U.S. Census Bureau

About Baldwin City

Beginning as a trail stop on the Santa Fe Trail, Baldwin City caught the nation’s attention in 1856 when staunch abolitionist John Brown led his militia against proslavery forces just three miles east of town. Known as the Battle of Black Jack, it is considered by many to be the first battle of the Civil War.

The area began to grow in 1858 with the establishment of Baker University, the oldest liberal arts university in the state.

Baldwin’s real estate market represents a wide range of prices, from affordable starter homes around $170k, to older, more expensive homes neighboring the university, or up to $700k for some in the city’s numerous development projects that might overlook a lake or come with substantial land.

Baldwin’s traditional city square presents a small but thriving downtown scene with restaurants, coffee shops and a thriving art gallery, the Lumberyard Arts Center. Baldwin is known for its Maple Leaf Festival each October. Throughout the year, Baker University hosts lectures, theater performances and musical concerts open to the public.

IF IT DOESN’T BECOME YOUR HOME, VISIT BALDWIN CITY FOR:

The Maple Leaf Festival

Nearly the entire city (and hundreds of visitors) spend the third full weekend in October celebrating with a community parade, crafts festival, quilt show and more.

The Lumberyard Arts Center

A thriving gallery and gathering spot showcasing community music, artistic talent and more.

the case for Baldwin City

All the attractions of a college town with the benefits of a small-town housing market and family-friendly pace of life.

Maple Leaf Festival photos by Kayla Kohn. Battle of Black Jack reenactment photos by Jason Dailey.

ESSENTIAL NEWCOMER INFORMATION

Eudora City Hall cityofeudoraks.gov (785) 542-2153

Eudora Township Fire Department (785) 542-2800

City of Eudora Fire Department cityofeudoraks.gov/67/Fire (785) 690-7066

Eudora Parks & Recreation cityofeudoraks.gov/76/ Parks-Recreation (785) 690-7266

Eudora Community Library eudorapubliclibrary.org (785) 542-2496

Eudora Public Schools –USD 491 eudoraschools.org (785) 542-4910

Eudora Chamber of Commerce eudorakschamber.com

Eudora CVB eudoraevents.com

By the Numbers

BY THE NUMBERS*

Population: 6,408

Median household income: $99,615

Total Households: 2,262

Percentage of people under 18 years: 27.1%

Percentage of people 65 years and older: 6.4%

About

Eudora

Percentage of people 25 years and over with bachelor’s degree or higher: 31.8%

Percentage of people 16 years and over who work inside Douglas County: 53.9%

Eudora sits on the eastern edge of Douglas County, between Lawrence and the Kansas City area, and less than four miles from the new Panasonic electric battery plant. But Eudora is more than just a commuter city. Eudora’s strong public school system; its historic downtown; its affordable housing market; its grocery, restaurant and retail venues; and its rich parks and recreation programs make the town a charming, selfcontained community.

Recently, Eudora has taken advantage of its position on the confluence of the Wakarusa and the Kaw (or Kansas) rivers, one of its greatest natural resources. The city’s river access park is a great starting

point for a family canoeing or kayaking adventure (with an exit ramp downstream in DeSoto), and if you’re an athlete, you’ll want to check out Eudora’s Great Kaw Adventure Race, which covers 25 miles with canoeing as well as running, biking and en route problem-solving obstacles.

Surrounded by rich farmland, Eudora has a farmers market and boasts nearby wineries, orchards and pumpkin patches. If you are considering making Eudora your home, you can dive into the real estate market where starter homes begin at around $200k, with more luxurious 5-bedroom homes and generous property sizes also on the market.

IF IT DOESN’T BECOME YOUR HOME, VISIT eudora FOR:

The CPA Picnic

A July town festival with more than 117 years of tradition; includes a carnival, parades and family activities.

The Great Kaw Adventure Race

Traditionally held in September, this is an annual run-bike-canoe adventure course for teams and solo entries—followed by a community party.

the case for Eudora

Exceptional public school system and generous real estate market with easy access to larger metropolitan regions, and all within a self-sufficient community.

June 7 - 23

April

INFORMATION

City Offices lawrenceks.org

(785) 832-3000

Fire & Medical Department lawrenceks.org/ fire_medical

(785) 830-7000

Department of Utilities lawrenceks.org/utilities

(785) 832-7800

Lawrence Parks and Recreation lawrenceks.org/lprd

(785) 832-3450

Lawrence Public Library lplks.org

(785) 843-3833

Lawrence Transit System lawrencetransit.org

(785) 864-4644

Lawrence Chamber of Commerce lawrencechamber.com

(785) 865-4411

Lawrence Journal-World ljworld.com

(785) 843-1000

Population: 94,934

Total Households: 41,041

Median household income: $52,475

Total Housing Units 43,421

*Source: U.S. Census Bureau

About Lawrence

Lawrence prides itself on being a little different. Perhaps the sense of singularity comes from the presence of two universities, the town’s founding as an idealistic political settlement, or a unique blend of humble Midwestern affability and cosmopolitan eccentricity. Regardless, Lawrence is a city that continues to adapt and go its own way.

Founded in the 1850s as a center of resistance to slavery, Lawrence paid the price as it was raided by proslavery forces twice, and particularly in 1863, when raiders attacked before dawn, killing 200 people and burning much of the city. But the city rebuilt and thrived as a center of education, agriculture and commerce.

Today the city is home to the University of Kansas, a top-tier research university with an idyllic hilltop campus and a dynastic men’s basketball program. (You’ll see the Jayhawk mascot everywhere: look for statues of the smiling bird with big yellow shoes.) Lawrence is also home to Haskell Indian Nations University. Established nearly 120 years ago, the institution had tragic beginnings as a forced assimilation school for Native children grades one through five. Now, American Indian and Alaska Native people come from

IF IT DOESN’T BECOME YOUR HOME, VISIT lawrence FOR:

The Downtown

Any time of year, this retail, restaurant and livemusic region offers a perfect day (or night) out for the family, couples and city explorers.

Clinton Lake

With sand beaches, hiking paths, biking skill loop trails, a marina, camping sites, state park cabins, an archery range and more, this reservoir of water and the land around it is one of the region’s greatest natural attractions for sport and relaxation.

across the country for Native-led higher education and Native-centered scholarship.

Massachusetts street, often called “Mass Street” for short, lies at the heart of the city. It spans the highly walkable downtown district and is dotted with locally owned shops, award-winning restaurants, breweries, and numerous live-music venues. Nearby sits the Lawrence Public Library, which boasts sleek and modern architecture.

Lawrence’s booming real estate market includes everything from studio apartments to million-dollar luxury homes. Home to several distinctive neighborhoods, the city’s residential and commercial areas connect by short drives, bicycle routes and a municipal bus transportation system jointly operated with the University of Kansas. The city has a municipal airport, a Greyhound bus stop and a historic rail station that serves as a stop on the Amtrak train route running from Los Angeles to Chicago.

There are festivals, parades and events throughout the year, including an annual hotrod gathering, a beloved Fiesta Mexicana, the Lawrence Busker Fest, the Free State Film Festival, a top-tier lineup of national acts at the Lied Center and much more.

the case for Lawrence

A thriving college town that strikes a balance between sophistication and quirkiness with exceptional schools, public services, green areas and entertainment venues. The home and heart of Jayhawk Nation.

PRIDE parade and marina photos by Jason Dailey. Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade by Fally Afani. Douglas County

lecompton

About Lecompton

Chosen in 2016 by readers of KANSAS! magazine as one of the state’s top-5 small towns, Lecompton sits on the northwestern edge of Douglas County and is rich in history and nature.

Originally named Bald Eagle and founded in 1854, the city soon became the capital of Kansas Territory during the Bleeding Kansas years. The town’s historic sites include Constitution Hall, the Territorial Capital Museum

Essential Newcomer Information By the Numbers

and the 1850s Democratic Headquarters. Self-guided walking tours are available in either printed brochure or interactive digital format. Territorial Days and the Bleeding Kansas lecture series are part of the annual calendar. It also has some of the world’s most generous slices of pie at Aunt Netters Café in Lecompton’s historic downtown.

Lecompton has a very affordable real estate market with homes starting

below $150k though its most tempting opportunities may be the chance to buy rural homes with plenty of land. Public school students in Lecompton attend elementary school in the city and an uppergrades school shared with the neighboring town of Perry. Lecompton also boasts some of the most scenic river views, with a beautiful access point and a scenic road winding along the river bluffs to Topeka.

IF IT DOESN’T BECOME YOUR HOME, VISIT lecompton FOR:

Territorial Days

A June celebration of the town’s history, with historical reenactors, parade and more.

Territorial Capital Museum

Beautiful rural settings, historic vibe, affordable living and convenient highway access to larger towns.

The museum creates festive holiday displays and contains several items of local history, but is perhaps best known for its dedication to documenting Bleeding Kansas of the 1850s, and how these events played out in Douglas County.

Aunt Netter’s Cafe photo by Bill Stephens. Territorial Capital Museum holiday tree tour photo by Sunflower Publishing.

PRAIRIE MOON SCHOOL

WRENCE COUNTRY GOLF COURSE

SKATE PARK GOLF COURSE

SCHOOL

HILLCREST ELEMENTARY

MONTESSORI CHILDREN’S HOUSE

LAWRENCE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

BURCHA M PA RK

PUBLIC LIBRARY

WOODLAWN ELEMENTARY

KANSAS RIVER LEVEE TRAILS

Post Office/Libraries

Hospitals

City Government Museums

Schools/Universities

Golf

Hiking

Points of Interest

Info

Transportation

SENIOR RESOURCE CENTER DOUGLAS

CITY HALL

POST OFFICE AMTRAK STATION

CENTURY SCHOOL

WATKINS MUSEUM

GREYHOUND BUS LINES

LAWRENCE VISITOR CENTER

NEW YORK

ELEMENTARY HOBBS PARK

COURTHOUSE

SOUT H PA RK

NATURAL HISTO

NIVERSITY OF KANSA

POST OFFICE

VERITAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL RI OF HISTORY

LAWRENCE VERFRONT PARK

HOBBS PARK MEMORIAL

LAWRENCE ARTS CENTER & PRESCHOOL

Old West Lawrence East Lawrence

BOOTH FAMILY HALL OF ATHLETICS

WRENCE HIGH

LIBERTY MEMORIAL CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL

EAST LAWRENCE REC CENTER

SCHWEGLER ELEMENTARY

CORDLEY ELEMENTARY

KENNEDY ELEMENTARY DOUGLAS COUNTY

FAIRGROUNDS

HASKELL CULTURAL CENTER & MUSEUM

VA

BILLY MILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL

HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS UNIVERSITY

PRAIRIE PARK NATURE CENTER

PRAIRIE PARK ELEMENTARY

BAKER WETLANDS DISCOVERY CENTER

SELECTED Neighborhoods

Oread

West Lawrence

Quail Run

Indian Hills Prairie Park

LAWRENCE COMMUNITY SHELTER

douglas county resources

a guide to organizations and places to help you discover and enjoy your new hometown

Participants in the annual PRIDE parade gather at Lawrence’s South Park.

Photo by Jason Dailey.

education

Baker University (785) 594-6451 bakeru.edu

Baldwin City Public Schools

USD 348 (785) 594-2721

usd348.com

transportation

Lawrence Transit System – the “T” (785) 864-4644

www.lawrencetransit.org

City of Lawrence/University of Kansas transport services

Lawrence-Douglas County Bike Plan

(785) 832-3000

lawrenceks.org/mpo/bicycle_planning Resource guide, info and maps to commuter/recreational cycling

Eudora Public Schools

USD 491 (785) 542-4910 eudoraschools.org

Lawrence Public Schools USD 497 (785) 832-5000 usd497.org

Perry-Lecompton Public Schools USD 343 (785) 597-5138 usd343.net

University of Kansas (785) 864-2700 ku.edu

Haskell Indian Nations University (785) 749-8404 haskell.edu

Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center (785) 865-4411 peasleetech.org

recreation

Lawrence Parks & Recreation 1141 Massachusetts St., Lawrence (785) 832-3450 lawrenceks.org/lprd

Baldwin City Recreation Commission 705 High St., Baldwin City (785) 594-3670 baldwincity.recdesk.com

Eudora Parks & Recreation 1630 Elm St., Eudora (785) 542-3434 eudoraparksandrec.org

Senior Wheels (785) 727-7876

yoursrc.org/home/resources-for-seniors/ transportation County-wide, low-cost senior transport program

Independence, Inc. 2001 Haskell Ave., Lawrence (785) 841-0333

independenceinc.org

Wheelchair accessible door-to-door weekday transport

Public pools/lap swimming in Lawrence lawrenceks.org/lprd/aquatics

City of Lawrence has 4 public pools, including 2 year-round locations

Eagle Bend Golf Course lawrenceks.org/lprd/eaglebend 18-hole public golf course

Lawrence Transit staff march in the annual PRIDE parade. Photo by Fally Afani.

dining

Restaurants—County Listing

Review blogs and comprehensive listing of area restaurants explorelawrence.com/restaurants

shopping regions

Downtown Lawrence www.downtownlawrence.com

Plethora of trendy, local and delightful shops and restaurants

North Lawrence

Antiques and rare home goods centered on 500-800 blocks of Locust Street

South Iowa Street, Lawrence

Big-box national chain stores

23rd Street, Lawrence

Variety of national chains and locally owned stores from Massachusetts to Iowa Street

theater performance

KU Theatre kutheatre.com

University and professional actors theater troupe

Lied Center of Kansas lied.ku.edu

National/world musicians and performers on stage

Theatre Lawrence theatrelawrence.com

Community theater venue

events

Baldwin City Events visitbaldwincity.com/events

City of Eudora full events listing eudoraevents.com

Lawrence CVB full county events calendar explorelawrence.com

Lawrence Journal-World datebook ljworld.com/public-record/datebook

arts

Cider Gallery cidergallery.com

Fine art gallery

Lawrence Arts Center lawrenceartscenter.org

Galleries, classes and performances

Final Fridays facebook.com/FFLawrence

Monthly exhibits and activities in galleries and art venues

Lumberyard Arts Center lumberyardartscenter.org

Baldwin’s home for traveling/local exhibits

Phoenix Gallery phoenixgalleryart.com

Downtown Lawrence art gallery

SeedCo Studios seedcostudios.com

Working art studios/gallery

Spencer Museum of Art spencerart.ku.edu

University of Kansas art collection/ galleries

Wonder Fair wonderfair.com Experimental art gallery

The annual Old-Fashioned Christmas parade features horses, vintage and historic wagons, and at least one dog. Photo by Fally Afani.

health

Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH Health)

325 Maine Street, Lawrence (785) 505-5000

lmh.org

County’s health and emergency services hospital

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

200 Maine St., Suite A, Lawrence (785) 843-9192

bertnash.org

Mental health services

Community Developmental Disability Organization (CDDO) Cottonwood Inc.

2801 W. 31st St., Lawrence (785) 842-0550 cwood.org

Connecting people of all ages with developmental disabilities to area services

DCCCA Inc.

3312 Clinton Parkway, Lawrence (785) 841-4138 www.dccca.org

Prevention/treatment of alcohol and drug problems

Visiting Nurses

200 Maine St., Suite C, Lawrence (785) 843-3738

kansasvna.org

Home health care and hospice

Senior Resource Center for Douglas County

745 Vermont, Lawrence (785) 842-0543 yoursrc.org

Senior health, social and resource information

Haskell Health Center 2415 Massachusetts St., Lawrence (785) 843-3750

ihs.gov

Outpatient health services for Native community

Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ Lawrence (785) 841-2345 ksphq.org

Trained crisis counseling

Independence Inc.

2001 Haskell Ave., Lawrence (785) 841-0333 independenceinc.org

Independent living resources for disabled

Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging

2001 Haskell Ave, Lawrence (785) 832-0754 jhawkaaa.org

Tri-county resource center for seniors and senior programs

KU Child & Family Services Clinic

2021 Dole Human Development Center 1000 Sunnyside Ave., Lawrence (785) 864-4416 kuclinic.ku.edu

Affordable mental health care for children and families

KU Psychological Clinic Room 340 Fraser Hall 1415 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence (785) 864-4121 psychclinic.ku.edu

Affordable mental health care

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department

200 Maine St., Suite B, Lawrence (785) 843-3060

ldchealth.org

Community health program center

Transgender Kansas transgenderkansas.wordpress.com

Support and care for transgender Kansans of all ages

Willow Domestic Violence Center 1920 Moodie Rd., Lawrence (785) 843-3333, 800-770-3030 willowdvcenter.org

Domestic crisis; prevention and support

There are several farmers markets in Douglas County. The Lawrence Farmers Market is the oldest continually operating farmers market in the state of Kansas. Photo by Fally Afani.

news sources

Lawrence Journal-World Newspaper and online news Region’s oldest, largest local news source for Lawrence and Douglas County ljworld.com

Kansas Public Radio (KPR) University of Kansas public radio station kansaspublicradio.org

Eudora Times University of Kansas nonprofit seasonal news coverage of Eudora eudoratimes.com

Lawrence Times Independent online news lawrencekstimes.com

Kansas Reflector Independent statewide news kansasreflector.com

Jamey Mossengren, the Unicycling Unicorn, performs at the Lawrence Busker Fest.

Photo by Fally Afani.

douglas county events

a guide to organizations and places to help you discover and enjoy your new hometown

Camila Meza will perform with the KU Jazz Ensemble in March 2024 at the Lied Center in Lawrence. Photo courtesy Camila Meza (Drukker).

fall

KU Homecoming

September-October

KUALUMNI.ORG

The University of Kansas celebrates the fall season with its annual homecoming football game along with parades through campus and downtown Lawrence.

Kaw Valley Farm Tour

October

Lied Center Season

September-May

LIED.KU.EDU

The region’s premier venue for national and global cultural performances, the Lied Center of Kansas, presents a 2023–2024 season with legendary performers such as Mandy Patinkin, Vienna Boys Choir, Kuok-Wai Lio and more.

Rev It Up! Hot Rod Street Fest

September

REVITUPCARSHOW.COM

Whether you’re all Rockabilly, or just appreciate fine-looking machinery, this annual celebration of hot rods and hot-rod culture brings together music, plenty of good eats and a convergence of rat rods, muscle cars, street sass, exotics, and classic autos. Held in Lawrence’s South Park, this high-octane event is also a charity fundraiser for a designated local nonprofit each year.

Haskell Indian Art Market

September

HASKELL.EDU/HIAM

Held annually during the second full weekend of September, this market is one of the region’s largest venues for Native-authentic crafts, jewelry, artwork and more. Held on the grounds of the Haskell Indian Nations University, the market also treats guests to musical performances and Native dances in full regalia.

KAWVALLEYFARMTOUR.ORG

Know your grower! And this is one of the best ways to do it. On the first full weekend of October, dozens of Douglas County farms open up to guests, demonstrating the daily work of a farm, the temperament of llamas and the people behind local food. A ten-dollar bill will get you entrance for as many people as you can fit into one vehicle, leaving plenty of spare change to take home fresh produce, crafts or baked goods.

Maple Leaf Festival

October

MAPLELEAFFESTIVAL.COM

Baldwin City’s generous canopy of trees takes center stage at this two-day festival, held on the second weekend of each October. In addition to experiencing the natural beauty of the fall leaves, guests can enjoy musical performances, craft booths, food stalls, a quilt show, marching bands and a parade.

Zombie Walk

October

TWITTER.COM/LAWRENCEZOMBIE

One of Lawrence’s biggest-growing holiday traditions, Zombie Walk invites anyone to come dressed up in zombie attire (and there are always several clever, original zombie costumes) to parade (limp, moan, stagger) through Downtown Lawrence. Interaction with spectators is part of the fun, as this is the most nonthreatening, considerate mob of zombies to ever shuffle down the street. Proof? Nobody is ever eaten, and all participating zombies donate cash or canned goods to a designated charity.

winter

Holiday Vespers

December

For over 90 years, the University of Kansas School of Music has delighted audiences with a performance of secular and sacred holiday music. The vespers are a series of performances, some free and some open through ticket purchase with a range of choral, organ, brass performances and even a few sing-alongs.

Lawrence Farmers Holiday Market

December

LAWRENCEFARMERSMARKET.COM

December

This event features dozens of authentic horse-drawn carriages parading down Massachusetts Street and greeting thousands of residents and guests who line the route for miles. Bring blankets, hot cocoa and a well-charged phone camera for all your holiday photos and videos.

Holiday Lighting and Santa Rescue

November

DOWNTOWNLAWRENCE.COM

Every year, hundreds of people converge in Downtown Lawrence for musical performances, complimentary hot chocolate, a switching on of the city’s downtown lights and an appearance from Santa Claus. All of that might seem familiar, but Lawrence does it in its own way; Santa, stranded on top of Weaver’s Department Store, is rescued by the city’s fire department. You think after all these years he might learn.

Lawrence Festival of Trees

November–December

FACEBOOK.COM/LAWRENCEFESTIVALOFTREES

Each year, some of the region’s top artists and creative teams decorate and donate a holiday tree for charity. Tickets are sold to the public for viewing at Lawrence’s historic Liberty Hall theater, and trees are auctioned off with proceeds going to charity. Traditional and Kansas-themed trees make regular appearances, but anything goes and there is always one entirely novel treedecorating sensation each year.

What happens to the farmers market when the season ends? It only gets bigger, at least for one day each December when growers from across the county gather with holiday-themed crafts such as wreaths and floral arrangements, as well as loads of canned goodness and other delights such as cheese, biscotti, pickled mushrooms and more.

Kaw

Valley Eagle Days

January

KAWVALLEYEAGLEDAYS.COM

Join wildlife experts for a day of family-friendly presentations on the lives of local bald eagle populations with the chance to join a free guided excursion to view nesting sites.

Lawrence Restaurant Week

January

EXPLORELAWRENCE.COM

Restaurants, breweries, and cafes across the city come together for approximately 10 days of special menu items and discounts. It’s the perfect time to try a venue you have always wanted to visit, or return to an old favorite.

LAWRENCECHRISTMASPARADE.ORG

Cuttin’ It Up

Date TBA

Lawrence’s barbershop showdown enters its second year with vendors, competitions, seminars, food truck, musical performances and more. A celebration of the men and women on the cutting edge of the newest trends in fades, cuts, and more.

March Madness

February–April

You might notice that many of your new friends and acquaintances undergo a transformation each March, particularly if the University of Kansas Jayhawks basketball teams are battling their way through the NCAA tournament. Work slows. Family schedules and social engagements are set around game times. And everyone holds their breath. Even if you aren’t a big sports fan, you can embrace the electric atmosphere and participate in the community-wide jubilation.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March

LAWRENCESTPATRICKSDAYPARADE.COM

This parade through Downtown Lawrence has gone on for 30 years and continues to grow bigger, better and greener with each celebration. Look for the always ambitiously extravagant Sandbar float and other extreme productions as well as small-scale family entries. It can be cool in March, but a blanket and the thick crowd will keep you warm and your spirits high.

KU Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival

April

KU First Nations Student Association and community partners host a day of dances, performances and presentations to honor the numerous Native nations represented on campus. Events are free and open to the community.

Dole Lecture

April

Held to honor Senator Bob Dole from Kansas and to commemorate the fateful day on April 14, 1945, when he was critically wounded serving in Italy during World War II, this lecture series invites national leaders to address an issue of importance. Past speakers include President Bill Clinton, General Richard Myers, business executive and Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, and journalist Bob Woodward.

Farmers Market

April–November

What’s the first sign of spring? Fierce, crack-of-dawn competition for that first good crop of kale and those freshly baked pies. Starting in April, the farmers market seasons include regular venues in Eudora and Lawrence, where the state’s oldest continually running market expands into a threetimes weekly event as the season reaches full bloom.

Haskell Commencement Powwow

May

HINU.EDU

Each May, Haskell Indian Nations University invites families, friends and wellwishers to celebrate with the graduating class. Commencement ceremonies usually begin on a Saturday morning, and are then followed by two days of traditional Native dancing and music. Because Haskell brings together students from a multitude of Native nations, this event provides the opportunity to enjoy the regalia and culture of a wide range of Native peoples.

Art Tougeau

May

ARTTOUGEAU.ORG

It started out as a motorized art nouveau show in 1997 and has since evolved into Lawrence’s wackiest promenade on wheels. Perennial favorites such as the Spaceship Car and the Recycle Cycle delight audiences, and more fun comes in seeing what new creations will line up for the parade each year.

Lawrence Busker Festival

May

LAWRENCEBUSKERFEST.COM

Free State Festival

June

Lawrence’s cinema festival brings a week of outdoor screenings, art installations and musical performances.

Lake Season

All Summer

When the summer heat arrives, Douglas County heads for the water. For some that is Lone Star Lake in west-central Douglas County; for others it is a canoeing or kayaking expedition on the Kaw (or Kansas) River, and for many it is Lake Clinton with its beaches and marina that launches off sailboat and pontoon boat adventures, as well as jet skis and other craft. Don’t have your own craft? You can rent from providers or join an expedition led by Friends of the Kaw.

CPA Picnic

June

FACEBOOK.COM/EUDORACPA

A citywide street party with games, carnival rides, music and more celebrating the heritage and community of Eudora.

Territorial Days

June

LECOMPTONTERRITORIALDAYS.COM

When was the last time that you and every other kid in the city gathered to race turtles? Exactly. And that’s just one of the reasons to attend Lecompton’s Territorial Days, an annual mid-June celebration of community pride and the region’s pivotal role in the fight for Kansas’ entry into the Union. Oh yes, and the turtle races.

St. John’s Mexican Fiesta

June

STJOHNSFIESTA.COM

A celebration of the city’s Mexican American community that centers around St. John’s Catholic Church in downtown Lawrence. The two-day event features food tents along with musical and dance performances.

Juneteenth

June

A celebration honoring the heritage and perseverance of the Black community in Lawrence and Douglas County.

Red Dog’s Dog Days

June–August

REDDOGSDOGDAYS.ORG

Who said the summer was for sleeping in? For 35 years, Ed “Red Dog” Gardner has been waking up with county residents to lead them in a series of earlymorning stretches, exercises and runs. The workout is held at various locations, including the University of Kansas Memorial Stadium, depending on season and year—but sweat and a sense of accomplishment are always a given.

Douglas County Fair

July–August

DGCOUNTYFAIR.COM

The beauty about the Douglas County Fair is that its attendees are equally earnest and post-modern ironic about the traditional down-home celebration. We know it’s a time to celebrate, but we take the llama contest seriously. We make the pie-baking contest delicious … and deadly competitive. And we put on what is arguably the state’s best, most-contested demolition derby (even the public library has gotten into that act, entering Dewey the Demo car—and winning 3rd place—in 2014). Running late July to early August, this is the place for funnel cakes, tribute bands, whirly rides, bright lights and one cool county.

Civil War on the Western Frontier

August

WATKINSMUSEUM.ORG

The Watkins Museum of History hosts an annual series of lectures, tours and other events to commemorate the 1863 attack on Lawrence and Douglas County by Confederate guerrilla forces and the legacy of the Civil War conflict on the region’s history and character. This is one of the region’s most popular and attended history-themed events.

LAWRENCEKSJUNETEENTH.ORG

FREESTATEFESTIVAL.ORG

douglas county universities

Photograph by Ryan Coody

Haskell Indian Nations University

Located in the southeast section of town, Haskell Indian Nations University is the nation’s only fouryear college with full accreditation specifically for students from federally recognized tribes and boasts a student body representing over 140 tribal nations and Alaska Native villages. The campus sporting events and many of its presentations are open to visitors, as is the annual Indian Art Market that features authentic Native-made arts and crafts as well as a celebration of traditional dances from Native communities across the United States. haskell.edu

The University of Kansas

The main campus of the University of Kansas sits in the center of Lawrence on a steep hill known as Mount Oread. The University of Kansas, or KU, is the state’s flagship public university with a graduate and undergraduate enrollment of approximately 28,500 students. The university’s schools regularly feature in top national rankings, and its faculty produces research and cultural works that have won international recognition and prizes from an Oscar to a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant.” ku.edu

KU Campus Attractions Open to Public

• MEMORIAL STADIUM

Tailgating and touchdowns.

• ALLEN FIELDHOUSE

Home court for multiple NCAA basketball champion teams.

• DEBRUCE CENTER

Gallery on the history of KU basketball and an inhouse café.

• BOOTH FAMILY HALL OF ATHLETICS

Jayhawk sports shrine with interactive exhibits.

• DOLE INSTITUTE OF POLITICS

Museum, archives, and research center in honor of Senator Robert Dole, who studied at KU.

• SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART

KU campus art museum with contemporary collections.

• KU NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Showcase of rare paleontological collections and galleries on contemporary scientific research.

• LIED CENTER OF KANSAS

Stage for national touring acts and KU performances.

Baker University

Founded in 1858 as the state’s first four-year university, the school has an enrollment of just over 3,000 students, about a third of whom are on the Baldwin City campus. The historic campus sits in the center of town and is an integral part of the community. bakeru.edu

Photos by Ryan Coody, Baker University, University of Kansas, and Fally Afani.

clinton Lake

Clinton Lake is one of the city’s most popular outdoor recreation areas and offers camping, walking trails, biking trails, horse-riding trails, beaches, playgrounds, a disc golf course, an archery range, fishing locations, boating ramps, a marina and more. Located just outside Lawrence on the southwest side of town, it is within easy driving distance and connected to the Lawrence Loop, a pedestrian and bike path encircling the city.

Created as a flood-control reservoir from 1972–1975, Clinton Lake offers facilities split between a private marina and public sites operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Kansas. Visiting the free park and trail sections on the east side of the lake is a great way to explore Clinton for the first time. This Corpsadministered area known as Overlook Park contains shelters, playgrounds, a fire pit and grills, a covered overlook and a paved trail leading to a popular overlook region known as Sanders Mound.

The east side of the park also holds Clinton State Park, administered by the State of Kansas. The park’s camping sites, RV hookups and cabins allow visitors to stay overnight, and the area features hiking and biking trails as well as a boat ramp area that is also popular for shore fishing. Access to this is area is paid, either with a day pass or a year-long access pass that can be bought when renewing or receiving your Kansas license plate.

The Clinton Marina also sits on the east side of the lake. It can be accessed without a fee for events such as the marina’s First Friday celebrations with music, food trucks and other entertainment. Visitors who do not keep a boat in the marina can rent one of the marina’s boats to ski, tube, fish, or simply explore the waters.

The west side of Clinton Lake has camping sites administered by the state and then a shoreline area administered by the Army Corps of Engineers. The shoreline park holds a boat ramp, shelters, playgrounds, picnic and grill sites, and a sandy beach popular in the summer. This area is paid access with a day pass.

Photography by Jason Dailey

Majestic & Mysterious

though frequently seen in the skies of douglas county , the red - tailed hawk holds many mysteries that scientists across north america and here , close to home are continuing to unravel

Story by Amber Fraley | Photography by David Rintoul

more hawk facts

Lucas DeCicco grew up in Alaska, a state known for its wildlife, including a huge variety of birds of prey. Now, as a doctoral candidate with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Kansas, DeCicco spends much of his time on the Kansas plains trapping and recording data on red-tailed hawks for the Red-Tailed Hawk Project. This research places DeCicco among a rare group of ornithologists because, ironically, North America’s most successful, thriving hawk is one of the leaststudied birds of prey.

“They’re one of the more common raptors in North America, which makes them less appealing to study because people like to study rare things, generally,” DeCicco explains. “There’s a phenomenal amount we don’t know about them.”

The Red-Tailed Hawk Project intends to close the gap on what researchers don’t know about these birds by humanely trapping red-tailed hawks in various states in the US; photographing each bird; drawing blood for genetic analysis; documenting age, sex and molting characteristics; taking measurements; and even collecting feathers for isotope work that reveals what the birds have been eating. The collaborative project combines DeCicco’s findings with work from ornithologists around the country, including project founders Bryce W. Robinson with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Mark Robbins, collections manager at KU’s Natural History Museum. Researchers from other hawk-populated states such as Idaho, Minnesota and Michigan also collect data for the project.

Once scientists have trapped and recorded data from the birds, they affix solar-powered transmitters to the hawks and release them. The transmitters record GPS data—location, altitude, and speed—to identify each bird’s breeding grounds and migratory patterns.

DeCicco says each hawk in the project allows researchers to collect “a ton of data,” which is shared in the project and with other researchers.

The Red-Tailed Hawk Project scientists focus largely on attempting to tease out the evolution and speciation of red-tailed hawks in North America and how their physical characteristics and coloration are determined by geography, genes, or both. Plumage, DeCicco says, is “critically variable.”

“Not all red tails look the same,” DeCicco emphasizes. The standard nonmigratory red-tailed hawk native to Kansas doesn’t show much variation in plumage. “It has the trademark brick-red tail, a pale belly with a bit of streaking and a brown head,” he says. DeCicco notes these native red tails make up about half of the winter red-tailed hawk population in Kansas. Every winter, Kansas, along with other Midwestern and Western states, sees an influx of wintering red tails with different plumage. These birds come down from Canada and Alaska to hunt on the plains in the winter, then return to forests up north to nest and breed.

To learn more or to support the research of the Red-Tailed Hawk Project, go online at redtailedhawkproject.org.

The Red-Tailed Hawk Project is just one of the many research projects that have been featured as part of the Science Sundays at the KU Field Station. Science Sundays are free monthly talks about a variety of topics given by the researchers studying them. Registration is capped at 40 people, so an RSVP is necessary. For information about the next talk and how to register, check the KU Field Station’s Facebook or Instagram pages, or check the KU Events Calendar at calendar.ku.edu. The KU Field Station is managed by the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research.

Note: This article originally appeared in the summer 2023 edition of Lawrence Magazine

“In general, the farther north the bird nests,” he says, “the darker the plumage, as it blends in with the big forests there.” DiCicco explains hawks that live and breed on the plains have a distinct geographic variation—lighter undersides to more sneakily swoop down on prey. Western US birds, however, are often polymorphic, which is visible variation within a population due to genetics. “It’s like hair color in us,” DeCicco says.

So far, research seems to indicate plumage variation isn’t connected to where the hawks spend their winters, if they’re migratory. “Almost all the variation in plumage we see is based on where they’re breeding,” DeCicco says. “Are these birds that we’re finding in the winter that show odd plumages—are they from an undescribed variation in red-tailed hawks? Is there a population we don’t know about?”

Another interesting fact coming out of the GPS data shows red-tailed hawks travel their migration routes in much the same way humans use highways.

“They’re really creatures of habit. They do the exact same migration route going north as going south, they winter on the same telephone poles in Kansas, and they breed in the same trees in Alaska or Canada,” DiCicco says. Red tails even use the same rest stops on their migration routes, year after year. “We can see they’ll stay in the same farmyard in Nebraska,” DeCicco says. It’s DiCicco’s suspicion that red-tailed hawks navigate their migration visually as opposed to sensing the Earth’s magnetic field, as some birds do. Being raptors, red-tailed hawks have powerful binocular vision.

There are other aspects that still remain largely unknown about the red-tailed hawks. For instance, researchers assume red-tailed hawks mate for life and breed with the same partner year after year, but they don’t know for sure because pairs don’t winter together. Ornithologists also don’t know if there’s any correlation between where a bird hatches and where it breeds. “We have a very poor understanding of nesting areas,” DeCicco says.

Since 2020, scientists with the Red-Tailed Hawk Project have tagged about 60 red-tailed hawks with GPS transmitters. DeCicco says he wouldn’t be surprised if the project continues to deploy about 10 more transmitters per year to collect as much information as possible about a raptor that is a common sight but still very much a mystery.

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