From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for April 1, 1975:

Plans to build a water line across the south end of South Park were causing concern at city hall this week. Lawrence officials were hoping today’s bids on the project would be low enough to alter the plans so that the lines could be run in the street, away from the park. The project was intended to connect the city’s major water storage facilities with the water plant at Third and Indiana streets. George Osborne, superintendent of parks and forestry, estimated about $30,000 worth of trees at the south end of the park would be affected. Erv Hodges, utilities director, added that the contract specifications called for sections of the line through the park to be hand dug, to avoid root damage to some trees.