Municipal Stadium at Hobbs Park Legacy Project

03/26/2026

03/10/2026

Lee Ice brought us another throw back
Check out this article from (approximately) 2001

This piece, “The Old Summer House,” written by Chris Lazzarino, reflects on the history and memories surrounding Municipal Stadium at Hobbs Park — a place that once brought the Lawrence community together around baseball on warm summer nights.

Stories like this remind us that Municipal Stadium is more than just concrete and a ballfield — it’s a place filled with generations of memories. Preserving and restoring it means protecting a piece of Lawrence’s history so future generations can experience that same sense of community. ⚾

02/24/2026

The question was asked in 1993. We’re answering it now
While digging through old Lawrence Journal-World archives, we found something interesting…
In 1993 — over 30 years ago — Lawrence was having a serious conversation about not having enough baseball fields to support the community.
The article highlights:
⚾ Growing youth participation
⚾ Overbooked and aging facilities
⚾ Competition for field space
⚾ Concerns that Lawrence was falling behind comparable cities
There was discussion about Municipal Stadium at Hobbs Park and whether it should be restored and converted back into a dedicated baseball facility.
The takeaway?
This isn’t a new issue. The need for quality baseball facilities — and the importance of Municipal Stadium — has been on the minds of our community for decades.
History has a funny way of repeating itself.

01/21/2026

News from November 1, 2025

In Lawrence’s grassroots kickball league, a playground pastime is a catalyst for connection and a force for good.

01/21/2026

News from January 3, 2026

An idle conversation during a board meeting for the Watkins Museum of History sparked an idea that could breathe new life into an old stadium. Andrew Stockmann, the curator of exhibitions for the Watkins, said he overheard Justine Burton, one of the museum’s board members, talking about how Satche...

01/21/2026

News from March 10, 2025

A community group aiming to get historical preservation status for the Municipal Stadium in East Lawrence’s Hobbs Park, with the hopes of helping revitalize the structure and park, earned support from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Monday night. The board voted 5-0 to support the group...