Thursday, April 29, 1999
Entertainment
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 5
Jill Pitman, Haskell, Okla., freshman, catches up on some reading for class at Milton's Coffee & Wine, 920 Massachusetts St. Many students avoid home or libraries by finding a quiet Lawrence cafe to study in. Photo by Rachel Manta Orr/KANSAN
Coffee shops offer study havens
By Cynthia Malakasis Special to the Kansan
A lot of University of Kansas students think caffeine is an indispensable tool when studying, but that's not the only reason they choose coffee shops instead of libraries as their study environment.
"It seems people can concentrate better here than in the library, despite the noise and distractions," said Katie Flatley, Kansas City, Kan., sophomore, who works at Milton's Coffee & Wine, 920 Massachusetts St. "You can have coffee or a snack and get away from home and the roommates."
Studying is a top priority of many students who frequent these places. Some go for the coffee shop and bookstore atmosphere at Borders Books & Music, 700 New Hampshire St.
"It's like having a library that is also a fun place to hang out in," said Ryan Devlin, Overland Park senior, who works at Borders. "It's convenient being able to do research in a place where you can also get something to drink."
But not everyone sees coffee shops as a suitable place for studying.
"I wouldn't go there to study; it's not my ideal studying atmosphere," said Jessica
Papp, Chicago freshman. "It's more of a social setting for me."
Despite varying opinions on the studying environments, many agree that coffee shops are a cultural feature of Lawrence.
"It's something that's trickled its way down from big urban centers, like New York, and became popular in the Midwest," Devlin said. "It's a prominent feature in Lawrence, and I think more coffee shops should open."
Another group attracted to coffee shops is smokers.
"You cannot smoke and study in the library or in most other places," said Panayiotis Economides, junior from the Republic of Cyprus.
Students like coffee shops, but that feeling isn't always reciprocated. Some coffee shop employees get frustrated by student clientele.
"It's a pain when somebody comes here to study, and stays for three hours buying only one cup of coffee," said Andrew Jones, employee at The Java Break. 17.E 7th St.
However, because Lawrence is filled with college students with a lot of studying to do, the atmosphere will probably not change, especially with finals on the way.
Edited by Clint Hooker
Students turn to Clinton Lake for retreat
By Chris Hopkins chopkins@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Students needing a retreat from studying can look no further than Clinton Lake, just west of Lawrence off of US Highway 40, for a great getaway.
Christine Aga, Overland Park sophomore, said she had spent time at Clinton Lake fishing and hiking and thought it was a good thing to have near the KU community.
Jerry Schecher, Clinton Lake park manager, said that he liked the park because it kept the town from getting too big.
"It's kind of a protected natural area near Lawrence," Schecher said. "It's about four miles away, and if you know the development in Lawrence, it's a good buffer against that."
The 7,000 acre park offers 16 miles of hiking and biking trails, 500 campsites, a
three-fourths mile self-guided nature trail, an archery range, horseshoe pits, picnic shelters, sand volleyball courts and a beach.
Schecher said that there was plenty of fauna to go with the facilities.
"We have a pretty good population of deer and a pretty good flock of turkeys," he said.
Schecher said that the campsites were situated on two bluffs above the lake and that half had water and electricity. Campsites with amenities costs $11 a night, without costs $5.
Lee Kennedy, manager of the Clinton Lake Marina, said that there was plenty of aquatic recreation at the park as well.
Kennedy said that that the Marina rented all kinds of boats, ranging from fishing boats to canoes, and are looking into other options.
"We'll have some Jet Skis and speed
boats this summer," he said.
There's also a restaurant on the water that will open in May, and the state will put in a second beach next to the Marina in September. Kennedy said.
Fishing boats are rented at $20 an hour or $100 dollars a day. Pontoon boats are $35-$50 an hour depending on size and canoes are $10 an hour or $50 a day.
The Marina also stores personal boats year-round.
Mike Fine is the recreation coordinator at the Jaybowl and also in charge of Wilderness Discovery, which rents camping equipment to students and faculty out of an office in the Jaybowl. Fine said most students probably go to Clinton or Perry Lake, a national park outside of Topeka. Other students have mentioned traveling to Arkansas or Missouri for outdoor recreation.
Lawrence's parks offer outdoor entertainment
Edited by Matt Gardner
Bv Joe McPeek
Special to the Kansan
People looking for outdoor entertainment have 37 area parks, sprawling over 3,500 acres. to choose from.
The parks' attractions include swimming pools, hiking trails, and new sports recreation fields for soccer and baseball.
Ernie Shaw, superintendent of facilities and maintenance of City parks and recreation, said the parks were popular places for residents to spend their free time.
"As far as people reserving places for events, South Park downtown is probably the most requested. Broken Arrow, by Haskell (University), would probably be next," said Shaw. "Then Watson (Park) probably. The water slides always attract people. Next would be Centennial Park. We just got finished with a new shelter, restrooms and a path at that location."
Shaw said maintenance crews spend thousands of hours each year keeping every park clean and attractive.
Chad Cummings (left) and Greg Brantner, Andover freshmen, ride their bikes on a trail at Clinton Lake State Park. A bicycle and walking path winds its way for several miles through the park. Photo by Matt J. Dauphery/KANSAN
South Park is located at Massachusetts and 12th Streets. Because it's not far from campus, it provides a popular place for activities. It offers multiple gazebos and shelters, plus open fields for sports or relaxing.
Watson Park, at 6th and Tennessee streets, is known
for its train engine and the Lawrence Aquatic Center. Shaw estimated the park draws about 1,000 people each day during the summer.
Devon Burneson and Megan Churchley, Englewood, Colo., sophomores,
spent a day this spring at Watson Park. The students said they hadn't been to a park for a while, but decided to enjoy the sunshine in the park they called the "train place."
- Edited by Melody Ard
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