To the editor:

I hate to think that Woody Park may become a parking lot!

“Organized recreation in Lawrence was considered, by its own early records, a patchwork affair.” That’s from my interview with Elgin Woody in the August 1974 issue of the Douglas County Historical Society’s newsletter.

But within that mishmash, Elgin Woody was the devoted soul who lifted many a youngster up by his bootstraps with his baseball teams. “All my teams wore uniforms of some kind … hats, caps and jerseys and pants … white flannel with a red stripe on them. …

“Now you can be ragged, but my boys’ shoes were shined … Shirts was clean … uniforms was clean. Some of those boys just couldn’t play for me. I mean it. That’s right.”

Woody provided leadership, supervision and a positive influence for his team members for 37 years. In his honor, Lincoln Park became Woody Park. I regret its possible parking lot future. If so, he needs additional recognition somewhere, someplace.