First Public Meeting On Tulsa River Park Development Tuesday

A plan is developing for a major expansion of public park land along Tulsa's River Parks. The George Kaiser Family Foundation is planning the development and will pay for it. And Tuesday night is a first chance for public input on the idea. 

02/21/2012 Related Story: Public Input Wanted For Tulsa Building Project Along Riverside Drive

The first of two meetings, tonight and tomorrow, will let people see more of the concept - and contribute specific ideas for land along Riverside drive. The plan is to take one of the few remaining private open areas along Riverside Drive - and use it as the beginning of a major new public gathering space.

A Gathering Place For Tulsa

It would encompass all of the land in front of and around Blair Mansion - reaching across the road to the river. It would extend down Riverside Drive - including all of the property that is now the Legacy at Riverview Apartments - and the Sundance Apartments.

The land straddles Crow Creek - and improvements to the creek are part of the concept.

"The aspects I've heard of the plan so far I think it's great, because anything we can do to develop either side of the River is just a benefit for Tulsa," said Tulsa resident Jim Ball. "Why not? The more the merrier."

The George Kaiser Family Foundation owns most of the property for the park already - but the concept includes public property too. It would complement and be coordinated with planned improvements to the dam and east bank of the River.

The land includes the Blair Mansion property, the parking lot by the pedestrian bridge, and the two apartment complexes to the south of 31st street, in all, more than 55 acres for the initial project. For the people who use River Parks already - the idea of a massive expansion and improvement is exciting.

"I think it's a great idea. Visionary and forward thinking and anything that benefits Tulsa as far as outdoor activities is just good for the whole city," said Tulsa resident Chris LaPorte.

The meetings for public input are Tuesday night and tomorrow night at 6 p.m., at the TCC Center for Creativity downtown. After these meetings, the project managers will come up with initial plans that will come out in May.