The Gathering Place for Tulsa/Riverside Park Model will be on public display again throughout the year. More details are forthcoming, but interested individuals can visit http://agatheringplacefortulsa.com/ to sign up for updates and see renderings of the park.

Follow the George Kaiser Family Foundation on Twitter: @GKFF

Like the George Kaiser Family Foundation on Facebook

• REPAIRS COMPLETED The 41st St. Plaza splashpads have been under repair for approximately 6 weeks.
• The East Bank trail between 47th and 53rd Streets (in the I-44 overpass area) is being renovated to match the upgraded “dual-trail” standard that is used in other areas of River Parks. Crossland Construction is our contractor for this area, and they plan to have the upgrade complete by late September.
• 71st – Joe Creek East Bank trail construction will begin in the next few months. This project will upgrade the trail between 71st St and Joe creek to the “dual-trail” standard that is used in other areas of River Parks.

We thank you for your patience as we complete these repairs and upgrades at River Parks!

If you would like to donate to towards the emergency efforts in Boston, please visit www.redcross.org/.

We’re still close to the river, and with more square footage and improved parking for our guests, this location will be a great fit for our staff and our many community partners.

New Address:
2424 E. 21st Street, Suite 300
Tulsa, OK 74114
Google Map

Traffic times:
3 minutes from downtown Tulsa
10 minutes from Broken Arrow
15 minutes from Jenks

Phone and email addresses will remain the same.

For those Tulsans familiar with the history of the Arkansas River, this activity is nothing new. In fact, a very similar project was carried out in 2010. “Basically, we have a regular influx of sand that collects in Zink Lake upstream of the dam,” said one River Parks representative. “The 30-year-old design of the dam has several flaws, one of which is poor sediment pass-thru rates.” In summation, sand is piling up. For River Parks, the advantages of moving the sand are three-fold:

• Pushing sand into higher-current areas encourages sediment to flow over Zink Dam
• Removing “islands” of sand discourages unfavorable nesting by the Least Tern, an endangered species
• Sporting events at Zink Lake, such as rowing, need a certain depth of water that must be maintained

The sand relocation project will take several weeks. In the meantime, the dam gates will be lowered to empty Zink Lake, which allows the bulldozers to venture out on the sandbars.

The Color Run™ event is a one of a kind experience that is less about speed and more about enjoying a color crazy day with your friends and family. For our events, it is all about participants of all different speeds, ages, shapes, and sizes toeing the start line. Whether you are a casual morning mall walker or an Olympic athlete, the 3 miles of The Color Run course will be the most enjoyable real estate you have traveled in a VERY long time.

Get more information and a $5 discount here!

Visit RunnersWorld Tulsa online or at 4329 South Peoria in Tulsa.

How to Volunteer

In order to volunteer, volunteers are to meet at River West Festival Park at 9 AM, February 23rd (map). Gloves and trash bags will be provided, along with drinks and snacks.

River Parks would like to thank the Oklahoma Assembly of the Church of God Youth (www.okchog.org) for their commitment of 250 volunteers! These volunteers will be following up the public volunteer efforts by cleaning up several areas in the afternoon of Saturday, February 23.

These are unfunded recommendations. River Parks does not have an official position on these recommendations at this time.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Primary recommendation:

1.Improve/renovate the Zink Lake dam at 31st street to increase and maintain water in the river in accordance with the Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan previously approved by TMAPC, INCOG, Tulsa City Council, and the Tulsa County Commission.

Infrastructure Improvements:  

2.Develop a plan to relocate sewer lines and provide utilities as needed to support the proposed recreational activities at 31st street and Riverside Drive.

3.Develop a public/private partnership with the Creek Nation and other interested groups to develop and fund the proposed “South Tulsa/Jenks” dam and pedestrian bridge proposed and approved in the Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan.

4.Hire a lobbyist/consultant to initiate discussions with the Corps of Engineers and federal officials to secure funding for the reconstruction of the Sand Springs dam, which was originally authorized by Congress in the 2007 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA 2007).  Involve the City of Sand Springs and officials from Tulsa County.

Development opportunities:  

5.Develop a series of “small area plans” that define, locate, and capitalize on development “nodes” at major intersections along the river from 11th street to 121st street.

6.Investigate the potential for localized TIFF districts along the river corridor.

7.Purchase and/or encourage river-compatible uses of all private land within the river corridor from county line to county line.

8.Coordinate with, and encourage, the Eugene Field neighborhood small-area planning team to consider potential amenities for, and needs of, the river corridor as it passes through the planning area currently being reviewed.

9.Identify the historic “Gano’s River Crossing” by signage and nominate it to the National Register of Historic Places.

10.Complete the planned Route 66 “Experience” Center at 11th and Riverside.

11.Repair the 11th street bridge to enhance the Route 66 experience and allow pedestrian access.

Parking:

12.Consider purchasing land (currently for sale) at Denver and Riverside (known as the Denver Park Apartments) for development of a multi-level municipal parking facility.

13.Add as much 60 degree angled parking along the west side of Riverside Drive from 11th street to 17th street as is possible without removal of any healthy, mature trees.

14.Evaluate the potential for additional parking under and adjacent to the 21st street bridge on Riverside Drive and move the RPA trail to the river’s edge to avoid cross traffic.

15.Work with ODOT to determine the feasibility of developing parking areas under and adjacent to the new I-44 bridge at 51st and Riverside Drive, as well as any other elevated freeways within the river corridor.

16.Determine the feasibility of a new pedestrian bridge at 41st street to connect with underutilized city-owned land on the west bank and increase options for trail users.

Riverside Drive:  

17.To improve public safety, purchase residential properties that front on Riverside Drive (especially at major intersections) as lots become available. Subsequently, remove the structures and reforest the properties.

18.Schedule previously funded repairs to Riverside Drive and Crow Creek to coordinate with proposed plans being developed by GKFF.

19.Work with INCOG and MTTA to implement a municipal transit system along Riverside Drive.  Include bus stops located out of traffic at each of the major intersections for the entire length of the Drive.

River Parks:  

20.Work with RPA and the Creek Nation to finalize negotiations on a plan to relocate the river trail away from Riverside Drive at the Creek Nation Casino property at 81st and Riverside.

21.Evaluate the potential for a “land swap” with the privately owned concrete plant on the west bank at 23rd street to gain additional riverfront land for development of the River West Festival Park.

22.Participate in the “urban wilderness” concept that area donors are interested in developing on Turkey Mountain by offering to lease adjacent city owned land to RPA.

23.Provide adequate funding and transfer maintenance and oversight of the Midland Valley trail to RPA.

24.Facilitate trail renovation and right-of-way expansion along the existing eagle preserve from the Creek Nation Casino to 96th street by allocating corresponding acreage in Cousins Park for use as habitat replacement.

 25.Define and implement odor control for the existing wastewater lift stations along the river trails.

26.Encourage, support, and help plan a pedestrian connection along the banks of Crow Creek from the River Parks trail to Peoria Avenue.

27.Evaluate all major trees located on public property along the river corridor and develop a plan for long term care, pruning, and maintenance.

28.Negotiate a long term lease with ODOT for the (recently improved) Midland Valley railroad right-of-way east of Riverside Drive.

29.Assist RPA in acquiring right-of-way along the west bank of the river from 71st to the city limits of Jenks.

30.Our final recommendation is to task the River Parks Authority with the responsibility to establish a River Corridor Coordinating Committee to provide oversight, help coordinate efforts, disseminate information, and minimize confusion.

Task Force Members

Herb Fritz, Chairman
Seth Erkenbeck
Joe Robson
Jeff Stava
Rick Westcott