2021 Update

Kauffman Park improvements are being made after years of community-led public input and incremental improvements to the Park.  A timeline of the progress is below.

Kauffman Park upgrades include:

• replacement and relocation of the playground equipment, adding nature play elements;
• adding a water play feature (hand pumps and channels);
• adding a new picnic shelter;
• repurposing the grass blade decorative bike racks;
• adding a new 6-ft asphalt path around the play area with pedestrian scale lighting;
• looping the existing water line to improve function; and
• replacing the asphalt path into the park from the parking lot with an ADA compliant concrete pathway.

This will go out to bid in the next month and start construction this summer.

Kauffman Park Overview

Kauffman Park is the third largest park in Lakewood, behind Lakewood and Madison Parks, with 7 acres of space.  Kauffman is one of the more centrally located parks, located at 15450 Detroit, behind one of the Downtown shopping plazas across from the Main Library.  The park is home to Jimmie Foxx field, named in honor of Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx who, after playing 20 seasons with the Red Sox, Philadelphia Athletics, Cubs and Phillies and managing and coaching a team in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League and at University of Miami, retired to Lakewood to raise his family.

Kauffman Park has seen several investments over the past 5 years.  The walking path was added in 2014 for approximately $100,000.  In 2016, the park entrance off of Andrews was donated by the Lakewood Garden Club.  The old bleachers and the field lights were replaced in 2017 for about $225,000.

The City is looking to continue to invest in the western portion of the park during 2020 and in subsequent years.  This website will serve as a landing page for updates on the work.