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On the east bank of the river, adjacent to
Riverside Drive, the trail stretches from 11th to 101st Streets.
Beginning at Riverside Drive and Southwest Boulevard, all trails
will be marked in half-mile and kilometer increments once trail construction has completed. At 96th Street and Riverside, trail users can cross the river to
Jenks or connect with the Creek Turnpike Trail and travel to Hunter
Park and further east to Memorial Drive. At 11th Street, trail users
can go north, connecting to the M. K. & T. Tulsa-Sand
Springs "Katy" Trail on the former railroad right-of-way. The Authority's
maintenance ends at Adams Road in Sand Springs, but the trail continues
west to Highway 97 and south across the Arkansas River. Going west
from 11th Street, the trail runs from the 11th Street Bridge to 71st Street. The trail is currently closed from 58th to 71st Streets along Riverside Drive to allow for trail and park improvements in that area. The asphalt-surfaced trails are open for non-motorized use by pedestrians,
bicyclists and for roller sports. Most areas of the trail are
lighted and park directory signs are located at parking lots.
The Arkansas River at Zink Dam is a popular spot to fish for catfish
and Striped Bass. Wading in the river channel is allowed, but fishing
piers on the south face of the Pedestrian Bridge offer a safe location
during high water flows in the river. Fishing is allowed in most
areas of the park except those specifically posted with "No
Fishing" signs, such as the north side of the Pedestrian
Bridge walkway and the concrete promenade area around Blair Fountain. Warning lights on the south side of the Pedestrian
Bridge indicate rising water, but anyone fishing in the channel
needs to stay alert to water levels which can fluctuate rapidly.
The Tulsa Rowing Club is located on the west bank of the river at
2100 South Jackson. Rowing activities occur on Zink Lake year-round
and club members regularly compete in regattas around the country,
as well as host such activities here in Tulsa. The Club also assists
in training for local high school teams and is affiliated with the
University of Tulsa Women's Varsity Rowing Crew which competes in
NCAA-sanctioned events. Kayaking is popular on the west bank of
the river south of Zink Dam in an area of whitewater that is created
by a rock jetty. Non-motorized boating is allowed on Zink
Lake (boats are not provided).
The Wilderness Area consists of over 300 acres of undeveloped property
that stretches along the riverfront from the Southside Treatment
Plant near I-44 to 71st Street and west from the river to the Elwood
Avenue section line. At 300
feet above the Arkansas River, the summit offers a panoramic view of Tulsa.
The park is heavily wooded and has two large ponds; there is no
water or electricity. Dirt trails wind throughout the property for
hiking and mountain biking. The Wilderness Area is the only portion
of River Parks that allows horseback riding; however, River Parks does not offer horses or equipment rental. A map of the marked trails is located at the trailhead just off the parking lot.
Construction has begun for improvements at the entrance to the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area at 67th and Elwood. The size of the public parking lot will be doubled, a new restroom building will be added, and climbing boulders will be installed. The improvements are being funded by the George Kaiser Family Foundation to serve this very popular and heavily used outdoor destination. A second phase of improvements may include a covered picnic shelter, but no timetable has been determined for that project.
The Blue Rose Café will be opening at 19th and Riverside along the east bank of the Arkansas River in 2010. It will be a marina-style space filled with local music nostalgia and mixed with a beach side atmosphere. The expansive floor-to-ceiling glass windows will overlook a large deck and provide beautiful vistas of the Arkansas River.The design is intended to welcome locals and visitors alike to “Tulsa’s Front Porch." The Blue Rose Café will be open year round and provide lunch, dinner and live music.
River Parks is home to the city's largest collection of outdoor
wildlife bronze sculptures. The fourteen sculptures are gifts to the
citizens of Tulsa from NatureWorks, Inc., a local organization which
promotes wildlife conservation and education projects in the community.
Several other sculptures are located throughout the park system
including Blair Fountain, the massive sculpture/fountain located
in the river channel just north of the Pedestrian Bridge. In 2002
the Bank of Oklahoma and NatureWorks joined forces to fund the BOk
Plaza featuring a native Oklahoma black bear mother playing in a
waterfall with her three cubs.
Trees and brush along the river banks offer habitat for a variety
of small animals including fox, raccoon, possum and beaver. The
Arkansas is also a popular nesting area for the Interior Least Tern,
an endangered species that is federally protected. The terns arrive
in the area in April and nest on exposed sandbars in the river channel
and the islands in Zink Lake. These areas are off-limits for people
until the birds leave in August. As winter approaches, Bald Eagles
arrive in nesting areas located upriver near Keystone Dam and
elsewhere in the river corridor. The eagles
are frequently seen hunting during the day along the river corridor.
Fields of wildflowers, including Indian Paint
Brush and Purple Cone Flower, blanket areas of the park west of
Riverside near the Pedestrian Bridge and in the 47th and Riverside
area in the early spring. Much of the riverbank is lined with mature
trees and the park's landscape management includes the regular planting
of new trees. Brush along the riverbank is maintained to provide
erosion control and wildlife habitat.
Picnic areas are located throughout the park system, most in proximity
to parking lots and restrooms. Many of the picnic areas have grills.
Picnic areas, playgrounds, parking lots and restroom buildings
are accessible for persons with disabilities. Playgrounds are located
at 19th, 41st and 96th Streets on the east bank and south of the
21st Street Bridge on the west bank. Drinking fountains are located
near most restroom buildings throughout the park.
The park at 41st and Riverside has been transformed into an exciting, family-oriented
recreation destination with multiple inter-active water features, a new
restroom and covered pavilion, a large playground, a river overlook and expanded
parking. Tulsa-based QuikTrip is the lead donor on the $2.8 million project, with
additional funding provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, The Samson
Companies, Joe & Kathy Craft, William K. Warren Foundation, Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation, Mary K. Chapman
Foundation, Lobeck-Taylor Foundation, Nadel & Gussman, John Steele Zink Foundation, Nancy E. and Peter C. Meinig,
Steven & Shelly Jackson Family Foundation, Bank of Oklahoma, SemGroup LP, The Williams Companies and Cox
Communications.
The Plaza donation celebrates QuikTrip's 50th
anniversary. It is a gift to the citizens of Tulsa as a way of
thanking the community for QuikTrip's corporate
success, and is given on behalf of the
company's 10,000 employees and their families
This unique recreation facility is located adjacent to River Parks
property, south of 21st Street on the west bank. This facility is
owned by the City of Tulsa and operated through its Tulsa Parks
division. The fenced and lighted facilities feature steel jumps
and ramps and a spectator seating area. For information about lessons,
exhibitions and operations at The River SkatePark, call Tulsa Parks
at 918.596.2527 or 918.596.7275.
River Parks' focal point is often considered the Pedestrian Bridge,
located adjacent to Zink Dam near 29th and Riverside Drive. The
Pedestrian Bridge, formerly a bridge for the Midland Valley Railroad,
was donated to the City of Tulsa and converted for pedestrian use
in the 1970's. The wooden-deck bridge is 1,400 feet long and offers
a relaxing spot for viewing the downtown skyline and the river.
It is also a popular fishing spot.
Golzern Pedicabs will be offering "bicycle taxi rides" on the River Parks trails on weekends during the summer months for charters and on-demand rides. There will be no charge for this service, but tips are appreciated.
This is a great way for customers to "set their own rate," making it an affordable form of transportation for everyone.
A brand-new 18-hole disc golf course has been installed on the east bank near
41st and Riverside, courtesy of River Parks Friends. Each concrete tee box has a custom
tee sign with a map and par information for each hole.
The Tulsa Rugby Football Club subleases and
maintains a field for its matches at 38th and Riverside. |
