Lawrence Parks and Recreation has more than 50 parks and green spaces, as well as nearly 60 miles of recreational trails, a nature center, two swimming pools and one of the area’s finest golf courses.

“We’re great,” said Fred DeVictor, director of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. “There’s lots of things for lots of folks to do. We encourage people to take advantage of it.”

What’s more, the department is trying innovative programs to reduce pesticides and is planning for a showcase park on more than 1,000 acres of land leased by the city at Clinton Lake.

In May, the city of Lawrence dedicated three areas encompassing more than 12 acres as “pesticide-free parks.”

“Those are pretty small parks, but it’s a start,” Terry Shistar, a member of the Greens, said in May. “I think they can do it in the other parks, too.”

The parks:

 A four-mile stretch of grassy city right-of-way along Clinton Parkway, between Iowa Street and Clinton Lake.

 The 2.7-acre Parnell Park, 901 E. 15th St.

 The 1.7-acre Ludlam Park, 2800 W. Ninth St.

Officials say they already use little pesticide in city parks, but the Greens have pressured them to reduce it further. The new designations are the result.

“We’ve had requests from citizens for these types of facilities,” Crystal Miles, the city’s horticulture supervisor, said in May, “and we’re going to do our best to provide them.”

Parks users will have to increase their tolerance of weeds and pests in the designated parks, officials warn. If the parks are invaded by a noxious weed  poison ivy, for example  the city may return to pesticide use. The program will be evaluated on a regular basis.

These designated parks will be treated with alternative treatment methods, such as removing disease prone plants and trees and digging out weeds.

At Clinton Lake, the city is starting work on a master plan to develop a regional park, part of which will be dedicated to Lawrence’s sesquicentennial in 2004.

In addition to parks and playgrounds, the department offers classes and activities throughout the year, including dance, arts and crafts, gymnastics and swimming.

“It really adds to the quality of life in Lawrence,” DeVictor said.

Informational brochures are available at all the recreation centers, as well as online at parks – recreation.ci.lawrence.ks.us/