Lakewood Discovery Center restroom, observation beehive and river-project concerns draw questions

Park staff told the advisory board the Lakewood South restroom renovation is complete and that the Lakewood Discovery Center will house an observation beehive exhibit, but several board members raised concerns about the Smoky Hill River project and the prospect of large soil-haul operations through the park. Jeff Hammond, director of Parks and Recreation, said the renovated Lakewood South restrooms were opened and that staff removed a temporary porta-potty when the work finished. "We opened that bathroom at Lakewood South ... the bathrooms are opened," he said. Hammond also described an "observation beehive" installation inside the Lakewood Discovery Center that allows bees to enter a viewing hive via a tube so visitors can observe from inside the nature center. He noted the city also maintains apiaries at Indian Rock Park. Several advisory-board members pressed staff about plans for earthmoving tied to the Smoky Hill River presentation. Board members said they had heard contractors might bring hundreds of loads of soil into Lakewood and voiced concern about possible tree removal, trail impacts and long-term changes to the park's character. Hammond said he could not provide detailed answers and identified an engineering firm, HDR, as having done environmental work for the river project. "I believe there is a engineer that's involved, that works with Martha. HDR is the name, and I believe they have done an environmental study, but I couldn't tell you what the details of that study," he said. Board members described Lakewood as "a real jewel" and said they feared substantial temporary disruption and long-term loss of natural areas if large-scale soil-hauling proceeds through park trails and staging areas. Discussion only — staff said they would seek project details from the engineering team and city project managers and report back to the board with more information about access points, staging and environmental protections. Ending Staff said they will follow up with the project engineer and city project managers to clarify access routes, staging plans and environmental mitigation measures before large-scale work begins near Lakewood Discovery Center.