From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Oct. 4, 1974:

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was proposing to spend $360,000 to develop Lawrence’s Riverfront Park, officials announced at a meeting this week. Ed Dischner, chief of the Corps recreation section, told a group of about 25 interested citizens and city officials that the park plan needed approval by Corps officials and then had to go through Congress for funding before work could start. The proposed plan included picnic areas, a boat ramp with a turnaround facility, and parking space for car and boat trailers. The rock roads were to be hard surfaced, a hiking trail would be established along the length of the 11-mile park, and a bicycle trail would be located atop the levee. Some camping sites were also anticipated.
• Under windy skies, groundbreaking ceremonies were held this morning for the new county-city judicial and law enforcement center. However, it appeared that the project would be held up pending the resolution of questions about the affirmative action plan for minority participation. Negotiations between Bob Green, general contractor on the job, and Mo-Kan Minority Contractors Association in Topeka had been conducted during the previous two weeks.