From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Dec. 7, 1972:

• Cold weather was putting Lawrence residents in the mood for winter sports, and the city was obliging by putting in the annual ice-skating area in Central [now Watson] Park, near the locomotive. Workers this morning were building a wall of sand around the low area in the park which would be filled with water, providing the low temperatures held. Ice skaters were also informed this week that Peterson Pond northwest of the Hallmark plant was safe for use, according to Fred DeVictor of the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. At Kansas University, the physical education department was advising that Potter Lake was not expected to be suitable for skating for another day or two.
• Were stop signs or traffic signals better for regulating traffic downtown? This question was being debated as temporary four-way stop signs at four Massachusetts Street intersections, installed during the recent downtown reconstruction project, were scheduled to be removed. Officials were receiving with skepticism the unofficial proposal that the signs be retained. “We know signals will work,” said Neighborhood Development Program director Don Schaake, while public works director George Williams stated that it would be “a mistake not to signalize.” Signals worth $32,000 had been ordered, with a promised ship date of this week.