Lizzy's First Cache Traditional Cache
Hague Family: Replacing with a new multi-cache in the same area to be available soon.
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Related Web Page
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This is the first cache for my daughter and me. We enjoyed our walk
through this park and hope you do too.
Initial contents include log, pen, a couple swappable items, and
two trackables.
HISTORY
The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department initiated discussion
in the mid 90s with property owners who at the time owned property
in the northwest area of Lawrence. The Lichtwardt family expressed
interest in donating 40 acres of their land to the City of Lawrence
as parkland, but with stipulations in the form of conservation
easements to be held by the Kansas Land Trust (KLT), which would
limit the land use and types of facilities permitted. This provided
the City with a vision of creating a large natural preserve for
future residents of Lawrence.
The first step in the process was to make the preserve accessible
to the public with the proposed restrictions. The City of Lawrence
purchased 23 acres of land south of the Lichtwardt property in
1999. This site will serve as a neighborhood park and be used for
parking, restrooms, shelter and a gathering place for visitors to
the nature preserve. In December 2000, the City of Lawrence
purchased 20 acres of land immediately west of the Lichtwardt
property from Wendell and Gerald Dickey. In 2001, the City
purchased 14 acres also with a conservation easement west of the
Dickey property, from Francis Kelly and Cheri Varvil. The western
edge of this property would have a public access area also to the
nature preserve. The addition of these three properties allowed
Lawrence to expand its conservation effort, which will preserve
natural corridors for future residents.
In 2001, Bob and Betty Lichtwardt finalized their donation of 40
acres as a conservation easement to the Kansas Land Trust and City
of Lawrence. Natural trails on this site would be named the
"Thomas-Hunter Walking Trails" in memory of Lyell Jay, Ethel
Sanborn Thomas, and Wanda Sanborn Hunter.
Through a partnership with the Kansas Land Trust and city staff
efforts, the City of Lawrence acquired nearly 100 acres of park
area, which provides the citizens of Lawrence with a nature
preserve. This was the first time the City of Lawrence collaborated
with a conservation organization (Kansas Land Trust) to create a
natural preserve prohibiting any future development on the
property.
DESCRIPTION OF PARK
The result of the three combined purchases and the Lichtwardt's
donation adds approximately 100 acres of green space in the
northwest growth area of Lawrence. This site of a natural park,
promotes the health of the Baldwin Creek watershed by restricting
all development on the property except for unpaved trails. With the
unique trail park planned, this area promises to be a wonderful
place to nature walk. The land features steep contours, limestone
out-cropping, and a wide variety of trees that includes oak,
hickory, red bud and others. Abundant species of native grasses and
plants grow in the woods and savannah. In addition, a large number
of animals and bird species rely on the woodland for habitat
LPRD Statement
This cache is located within the Kansas Land Trust Park on Folks
Road, a part of the Lawrence Parks & Recreation Department park
system. For general information please call 785-832-7920 or visit
our website at www.lprd.org. All parks rules and regulations apply.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Perivpr
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures