Former Parking Lot Becomes Prairie in Downtown Lawrence

A former parking lot in downtown Lawrence, Kansas is becoming a thriving prairie, wetland, and woodland habitat that anyone can visit on foot or by bus.

Native Lands Restoration Collaborative held its third community planting day Wednesday at the Midco Prairie site on East Seventh Street. Volunteers planted native grasses, spread mulch, and learned about the species that once covered Douglas County before development took over.

Courtney Masterson, the ecologist leading the project, said the goal is simple: give people access to native landscapes without needing a car. "We're really excited about being able to provide this special taste to people," she said.

The site will eventually hold around 4,000 native plants, including purple milkweed, rattlesnake master, black-eyed Susans, and Missouri evening primrose. Low-growing species will line the edges while deeper-rooted plants filter stormwater running in from nearby pavement.

Masterson taught volunteers to plant at pot level and keep mulch away from stems. The temporary mulch holds moisture while young plants establish their roots, unlike traditional heavy mulching methods.

The space will include demonstration gardens showcasing plants used for food, medicine, and dyes throughout history. Mowed paths, a boardwalk made from buried tree stumps, a bike rack, and repair station will make the prairie accessible to everyone.

The Ripple Effect

Native food specialist intern Marlowe Kastens said the project helps urban residents build relationships with ecosystems they rarely encounter. "I think it's really important to build that relationship with the land," Kastens said.

Volunteer Faith Kim pointed out that the heavy foot traffic location combines education with green space where people need it most. Parker Sartin, an ecology student who worked with Masterson at the University of Kansas, encouraged others to join: "Do what you can with the time you have."

The organization plans biweekly community workdays through fall, weather permitting. They're also creating a field guide with species lists and space for visitors to sketch observations, ready when the park opens in late October.

Masterson emphasized that collective action makes conservation meaningful: "People don't care about it if we don't do it together."