Thursday, September 16, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 13
Entertainment
David Keel,
Lawrence
senior, takes
advantage of
a nice day by
playing frisbee
golf.
Centennial
Park, located
at Nithn and
Rockledge
streets, hosts
an eighteen
hole course.
Photo by
Aaron
Lindberg/
KANSAN
Lawrence parks offer variety
By Leah Shaffer
Special to the Kansan
Lawrence may have its night life covered with a variety of bars and clubs. But that leaves the more non-nocturnal types wanting.
Fortunately for them, Lawrence offers 40 parks and recreational centers, and more are being developed.
"If you ask the public, one of the most popular parks in Lawrence is South Park," said Fred DeVictor, director of parks and recreation for Lawrence.
There also is a variety of pools and ponds throughout the city. The municipal swimming pool is located at Watson Park, between Tennessee and Kentucky streets. During winter months, students can use the pool at Robinson Center. However, Robinson soon will have competition.
Located off Massachusetts Street, South Park offers the public a gazebo and fountain. It also is home to yearly music festivals and activities.
"We open bids in another week on the $9.5 billion aquatic center that will eventually become the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center," said DeVictor. This new pool complex is set to be completed by spring 2001.
All one really needs for the game of ultimate frisbee is a partner and a plot of grass. However, frisbee golf is another matter. The game is basically golf, except. instead of hitting small balls into
A SAMPLING OF LAWRENCE PARKS
South Park near 11th and Massachusetts streets
Lawrence Aquatic Center 727 Kentucky St.
Congressional Park and Pavilion St.
Bancroft Square Park and Richmond Street Centenial Park Ninth and Rockledge streets
Riverfront Park North Lawrence along the Kansas River
Naismith Valley Park West 27th Street
- "Dad" Perry Park Harvard Road and Monterrey Way
Prairie Park and Mary's Lake 28th and Harper streets
holes, participants hurl frisbee discs into pins. Lawrence's only frisbee golf course is located at Centennial Park at Rockledge and Ninth streets.
"Centennial is a really good park," said Neil Harnden, Leawood senior. Except they don't change the pin placements often enough. Other than that, it is really kept up well."
Maps for the 18-hole course can be picked up at all of the city's recreation centers as well as Bucky's Drive In, 2126 Louisiana St., and Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop, 802 Massachusetts St.
Centennial Park also contains a new, 12.306 square foot skate park equipped with features including pyramids, a fun box, a half-pipe and a quarter-pipe. Centennial also is a favorite place for sledders and ice skaters.
Hikers can find nature trails at Riverfront Park,
"Dad" Perry Park, Monterey Way and Harvard Road, has its own set of trails.
which runs along the Kansas River, and Naismith Valley Park. located on West 27th Street.
Lawrence has other scenic trails at Prairie Park and Mary's Lake, located near 28th Harper streets. The park is a total of 71 acres of trails and scenery. Seven acres of pure, prairie that containing 180 different species of plants. Native grasses and wild flowers line the trails.
Included in this $550,000 nature center will be an aquarium, bird-watching area, live animal exhibits and nature classes. The center will be located at 2730 Harper St.
"There will be lots of different nature programs that we will offer," said DeVictor. "It's going to be a asset to the city."
For more information about Prairie Park and other area parks, officials encouraged residents to go to the community building, 115 W.11th St.
The second of two public meetings addressing parks and recreation will be held at 7:30 today at Holcom Park Recreation Center on 2700 W. 27th St.
"The intent of these meetings is to listen to citizens, as to their needs," said DeVictor. "We just want their direct input."
—Edited by Jamie Knodel
Area golf courses formidable, fun
By Zac Hunter Special to the Kansan
For Kansas students who play golf, or those who are thinking of trying their hand at the gentlemen's pastime there are some fine golf courses to choose from in the Lawrence and surrounding areas.
Eagle Bend, located near Clinton Lake, is one of the area's newer courses and brings a unique blend of difficulty and playability to those who venture onto its tee boxes.
"Is this a championship course? Yes it is," said Jim Kane, Director of Golf at Eagle Bend.
Eagle Bend is an 18 hole, 6,812 yard course that has a par of 72. Hole No. 16 features a split fairway that measures 560 yards from tee box to green. The divided fairway allows golfers to play to their strength by going left or right.
"It is challenging for the scratch golfer, but very playable for the beginner." Kane said.
Brad Shepard, Coffeyville senior, said Eagle Bend was tougher than many courses he'd played.
"If you get into trouble there, it's a lot harder to get out." he said.
Alvamar Orchards Executive golf course is located on 15th Street in Lawrence. Being only nine holes, Alvamar Orchards caters to the time and cash restraints of a college student.
Hole No. five of this 1,775-yard course is a par four that has houses to the right and a fairway that slants left into a creek. In order to reach the green, the golfer must carry a creek that runs perpendicular to the fairway about 100 yards from the tee.
Heading east on Kansas Highway 10 there are two more courses that fit into a student's proximity and price range.
"It was a great way to get out and test your game, but you didn't have to spend five hours doing it," said Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director and golf instructor at Johnson County Community College.
In De Soto, Oak Country Club is considered a shorter course than
GREEN FEES
Alvamar Orchards Executive golf course: $10 weekends, $7 weekdays
■ Eagle. Bend. $14.50 weekends,
$16.50 weekdays
- Oak Country Club: $13 weekends,
  $13 weekdays
Sunflower Hills golf course: $23
weekends | 14 weekdays
Alvamar Public golf course: $20
weekends $15 weekdays
(All prices are student rates.)
most, only stretching out to 4,000 yards. This course is perfect for those who are picking up the sticks for the first time.
"They kind of expect the beginning golfer to go out there," Cundith said.
Although it is short, Oak Country Club does have some challenging holes, including one of the only island greens in Kansas. Hole No. 18 is 125 yards and must be played from an elevated tee box.
Oak Country was in the news during the summer when Cundith smashed a 480 yard hole-in-one.
A little farther east in Bonner Springs is Sunflower Hills golf course. This course is perfect for those golfers who want to show off their long drives.
At a distance of more than 6,500 yards and a par of 72. Sunflower Hills could be a difficult course for beginners, but would offer plenty of time to use every club in the bag.
"It can be demanding," Cundith said. "The back side is really long, and has a lot of hills."
Hole No. 15 at Sunflower Hills is a 464 yard par four. Although there are trees to the right and left, the fairway is not extremely tight. The problem this hole poses is the last 200 yards are on a downhill lie, playing to an elevated green.
However good or bad your game may be, four to five hours of relaxation or frustration can be had at any of these courses for around $20.
Edited by Matt James
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