$283,492Average Value$187Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
The Baker Wetlands available for everyone else to explore daily from dusk till dawn.
Lawrence neighborhood with vast nature preserve
The nature center that shares its name with Prairie Park was once just woodlands and dirt trails. Today, however, the 100-acre preserve is now one of the most popular sites within the neighborhood, offering residents amenities like a lake, nature trails and a wildlife facility that's home to prairie dogs and birds of prey. Dennis Brown, former president of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance and a long-time local says, “It’s a good, strong neighborhood with a big elementary school there. And the Prairie Park Nature Center is a fun place to take a kid, especially because of the animals." Prairie Park is also one of Lawrence’s more modern neighborhoods, and like “Lawrence, in general is growing pretty rapidly,” says Ken Easthouse, who grew up in Prairie Park. “For those people who can’t find jobs in Lawrence, it’s adjacent to the south bypass and the K-10, and that leads you right over to Kansas City.”
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.
Prairie Park has several ranch style homes tucked into the quiet streets.
Prairie Park has several traditional style homes going up on the south side of the neighborhood.
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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.”
There is always something new to see at the Prairie Park Nature Center.
Prairie Park has a great lakeside walking trails.
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There are several retail shops with in a few minutes drive.
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.
Prairie Park Elementary School id right around the corner for those early morning drop offs.
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.
Haskell Indian Nations University is the premiere tribal university in the United States.
The Haskell Cultural Center and Museum provides tribal students and communities with programs.
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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.
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.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tracy O'Brien,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
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
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Prairie Park, Lawrence sell after 18 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Prairie Park, Lawrence over the last 12 months is $281,752, up 13% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Fixer upper priced almost 50 000 below county appraisal, reflecting amount of work needed. 1552 sq ft ranch has 4th bedroom on north side with separate entrance, for possible mother in law bdr. Has both living room and family room on main floor. Many possibilities here!
Recently remodeled 3 bedroom 2 bath home with a fenced in back yard. W/d hookups, garage & off street parking. I do not rent to convicted felons of violent crime. Some pets are acceptable. It is currently leased thru July but the current tenant is willing to move out before June if someone wants it.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tracy O'Brien,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
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®
37/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
35/ 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.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
