Prairie Park
Neighborhood in Lawrence, Kansas
Douglas County 66046
Multi-generational Traditionals, contemporary additions and a few ranch-styles
Like many of the suburbs that surround downtown Lawrence and the University of Kansas, modern housing styles are the most common in Prairie Park. Homes here sit along streets lined with mature oak trees. “For a while development stopped, but I think there’s been renewed interest and expansion,” says Easthouse, former president of the neighborhood association until 2020. The neighborhood also has many Traditionals with build dates ranging from the 1980s to the present. New projects include contemporary townhouses and remodeled split-levels with repainted wood exteriors. Ranch-style houses and single-story Traditionals exist on the northern end, and some of these homes have spacious backyards enclosed by chain link and wooden fences. Groups of Colonial Revivals, bi-levels and more Traditionals exist along narrow roads on the southern end of Prairie Park. Price points can run from $220,000 for a 1,000-square-foot house to $370,000 for a new two-story build with a roughly 1,600-square-foot footprint. Townhouses can go from $150,000 for a 1980s two-bedroom unit to $320,000 for a brand new three-bedroom unit.
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Outdoor fun at the Prairie Park Nature Preserve
Visitors of Prairie Park Nature Preserve can explore its diverse habitats. Natural and paved trails wind throughout the site and in addition to the woodlands, nature lovers will see both prairie and wetland ecosystems. Those with an eye for flora will spot different species of milkweeds, cone flowers, sunflowers and compass plants--with their distinct leaves that only point north and south. “It’s like you’re looking at it sideways. Little things like that are fun and interesting,” Brown says. The park’s education center houses a variety of wildlife, including turtles, lizards and various birds of prey. Other wildlife within the park include deer, foxes and muskrats. The 7-acre Mary’s Lake features fishing docks and its aquatic inhabitants include the likes of catfish and bass. Those looking to engage in more conventional activities will find tennis and basketball courts, a playground and a picnic shelter for large family gatherings. “I personally loved it,” Easthouse says about the formal creation of the park in the late 1990s. “I thought those woods and trails were a resource to the community as a whole.”
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Health and fitness activities at neighborhood elementary school
Students here start at the neighborhood’s Prairie Park Elementary School, which receives a C-plus from ratings site Niche. Prairie Park promotes student health and fitness through after-school activities like its marathon club. From there, students then go on to Billy Mills Middle School, formerly known as South Junior High. The middle school, which receives a B from Niche, was renamed in 2018 in honor of the Oglala Lakota track and field great who won Olympic gold in 1964. The middle school’s extracurriculars include an InterTribal Club. Youth round out their education at Lawrence High School, which receives an A-minus from Niche. The ratings site also ranks Lawrence High among the top 25 best high schools for STEM in the state.Neighborhood garage sales and the Haskell Indian Art Market
For those who like to thrift for the perfect used houseware item, old toys and board games won’t need to travel far. One weekend each year, several Prairie Park residents coordinate a neighborhood-wide garage sale. “It does attract quite a few people from around town,” says Easthouse. The neighborhood is also close to festivities affiliated with the Haskell Indian Nations University. Major events include the annual Haskell Indian Art Market, which each year draws hundreds to the large tents set up at the Haskell Powwow Grounds. Goers get to browse for a variety of items crafted by Native American artists.
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Located right off the K-10
The K-10 passes serves as the main route to the Kansas City area for commuters who live on Lawrence’s south end. The state highway runs directly to Kansas City’s southern suburbs, including Overland Park about 32 miles from Prairie Park. Lawrence Transit buses stop by the Boys & Girls club. The neighborhood is about 4 miles south of downtown Lawrence. The Kansas City International Airport about 53 miles east of Lawrence is the regional hub for out-of-state flights. The Lawrence Memorial Hospital about 5 miles north of the neighborhood provides major medical care.
Neighborhood watering hole in Set Em Up Jack’s
Prairie Park finds most of its shopping and dining needs along East 23rd Street. During major Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs games, neighborhood sports fans like to pack into Set Em Up Jack’s. “For better or for worse, it’s a neighborhood watering hole. Lots of people--after work--will come and hit that up,” Easthouse says. “That’s been kind of the anchor store at that particular location. It’s kind of a community gathering place at this point. There’s nowhere else really in the neighborhood.” Set Em Up Jack’s serves sports bar eats, like burgers and steaks with sides of fries. Multiple flat-screen TVs and projection screens cover the venue’s walls and broadcast sports games and news. “It’s the best ticket in town,” Easthouse says. “For sporting events, that was always my place to go. I was just back for a visit and the bartender still remembers my name.” Fans of barbecue pork and brisket can stop by the Stanley James Smokehouse, where the menu also includes breakfast wraps and biscuits and gravy. Farther down the road is the Fields & Ivy Brewery, where patrons can pair their craft brews with bowls of fresh fruit, salads or pizzas. Checkers Foods provides a grocery shopping option.Important to know
Prairie Park has an overall CAP Index crime score of 3 out of 10, putting it slightly below the national average of 4.
Written By
Yann Ranaivo
Photography Contributed By
John Collins
Video By
Daniel Quattro
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Crystal Swearingen
Crystal Swearingen
CRYSTAL CLEAR REALTY
(785) 453-3864
94 Total Sales
3 in Prairie Park
$144K - $315K Price Range
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Tracy O'Brien
Tracy O'Brien
KW One Legacy Partners, LLC
(785) 329-0371
239 Total Sales
1 in Prairie Park
$257,900 Price
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PATRICK DIPMAN
PATRICK DIPMAN
McGrew Real Estate Inc
(785) 553-7628
88 Total Sales
4 in Prairie Park
$144K - $239K Price Range
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Emily Ferguson
Emily Ferguson
Countrywide Realty, Inc.
(913) 359-9322
47 Total Sales
1 in Prairie Park
$250,000 Price
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Rob Lang
Rob Lang
AT HOME KANSAS
(785) 453-7224
72 Total Sales
2 in Prairie Park
$285K - $290K Price Range
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Renee Barrett
Renee Barrett
PLATINUM REALTY
(424) 488-1598
49 Total Sales
1 in Prairie Park
$260,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Broken Arrow Park
Prairie Park Nature Center
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Prairie Park
Chaparrel Park
South Park
Burroughs Creek Park
Veterans Park
Buford M. Watson Jr. Park
Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Prairie Park | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 2 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 4 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Prairie Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Prairie Park, Lawrence sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Prairie Park, Lawrence over the last 12 months is $279,900, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$279,900
Median Sale Price
$279,900
Median Single Family Sale Price
$279,950
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$185,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
72
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
6%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$184
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,138
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1992
Months of Supply
0.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,593
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,518
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,401
Median Age
37
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$67,427
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$76,648
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.9%
College Graduates
53.5%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.2%
% Population in Labor Force
84.7%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
36
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
23
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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