The return of Red Dog’s Dog Days to Kansas University’s Memorial Stadium this year is a nice renewal of “town-gown” cooperation in Lawrence.

The stadium had been home for many years of the popular workouts organized by Don “Red Dog” Gardner and his wife, Beverly, but for the last two years, KU athletic department officials had declared the facility off-limits. Both morning and evening workouts continued at the fields east of KU’s Robinson Gym.

Shortly before Dog Days started its session this week, however, participants were informed that the 6 a.m. workouts would return to Memorial Stadium; 6 p.m. workouts still will be outside Robinson Gym.

Don Gardner said Monday that about 550 “happy people” showed up Monday morning excited to be working out in Memorial Stadium. He also expressed his gratitude to new Athletic Director Sheahon Zenger and other KU athletic officials for allowing some of the workouts to return to their traditional home. It’s a nice gesture and a recognition of the important and positive relationship that should exist between KU and the city it calls home.