07/15/2026
July is Parks and Recreation Month, and to celebrate, the Shawnee Chamber is highlighting Shawnee's very own Parks & Recreation Department. From managing historic community landmarks to building state-of-the-art facilities, Shawnee Parks & Rec has spent decades shaping Shawnee's unique identity. Leading the charge today is Parks and Recreation Director Tonya Lecuru, who continues a long legacy of visionary leadership.
It is only fitting to look at how far the department has come by standing at Gum Springs Park. Long before it was a modern park featuring a recently completed, fully ADA-accessible renovation in 2024, "Gum Springs" was the original name of the Shawnee settlement itself.
In 1990, the Shawnee Parks and Recreation Department was created as an independent city department, and the City of Shawnee, KS Government hired its first Parks and Recreation Director. Over the last 36 years, the department's evolution has mirrored the rapid, thoughtful growth of our wider community.
Today, the Parks and Recreation Department is accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and oversees more than 1,010 acres of city parks, Shawnee Town 1929 Museum, the Civic Centre, and the City's two state-of-the-art aquatic facilities. They offer over 500 classes, programs, and special events for youth, adults, and seniors each year: https://www.cityofshawnee.org/263/Programs-Events
As the Chamber celebrates 80 years of supporting local business and community health, we thank the entire Parks & Rec crew for making Shawnee the beautiful city it is today. Their work allows Shawnee families to make lifelong memories and find a place they can call home.
Learn more about Shawnee Parks & Recreation at https://www.cityofshawnee.org/165/Parks-Recreation
