On Tuesday, the City Commission will revisit their decisions to implement rec center fees and to close open access at the Community Building. If you care about these issues, please email your Commissioners and/or attend their meeting (12/16, 5:45pm, City Hall) to let them know what you think!

Read our email to learn about Commissioner Courtney’s proposal to fund the Parks & Rec department without fees and for all the meeting details.

Many Lawrence residents strongly oppose these City decisions. Over 3,600 residents have signed this petition opposing fees for the rec centers, more signatures than we have ever seen on a local petition! Additionally, 82% of all respondents in the City's own survey (over 2,000 people) opposed these fees.

Commissioner Mike Courtney developed a proposal to pause these changes for six months or more and to investigate many other funding strategies that were recommended in the Parks & Rec Master Plan that the Commission just approved in March. If the Parks & Rec department could balance their budget with these new strategies, our recreation facilities could stay open for free!

The City Commission is going to consider this proposal on Tues, Dec 16. You can help by:

• Writing our City Commissioners to tell them why free rec center access is important to you and our community and ask them to pause the rec fees! Send your email to commissioners@lawrenceks.org and ccagendas@lawrenceks.org.
• Attending the City Commission meeting on Tues, Dec 16, 5:45 pm, City Hall.
• Speaking at the Commission meeting! Individuals can speak for up to three minutes during public comment period to express their support for this proposal. You can speak via Zoom too.

The Commission takes public opinion more seriously when they hear from a lot of people, especially at their meetings, so your voice matters!

Thanks for help on this important Lawrence issue!

Carol Kummer