Rough Economy No Effect On RiverParks Development

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa RiverParks says trail improvements are going full-steam ahead.  Plus, new projects are in the works for next year.

RiverParks officials are looking into a proposal to develop a statue garden along Riverside Drive, rather than keep the artwork so spread out. 

But, there's a lot of development left, and one problem is figuring out the difference between a swimming pool and a fountain.

Trails are being paved.  Trees are being planted.  There are some hang-ups before the $12.5 million facelift is finished this year.  But, the economy isn't one of them.  And, runners like the sound of that.

"It's privately funded, so it's not costing anybody anything.  The trails are from the Kaiser Foundation, not costing anybody anything.  It's not taxed.  It's what you want from your city," said runner Linc Smith.

The QT Plaza is shaping up to be a state of the art recreation center.

"It's really, really going to increase the quality of life in the city of Tulsa," said Keith Franklin with Land Plan Consultants.

The plan is to have six fountains.  A few of them would have an inch of standing water so kids could splash and play.

State officials say that's technically a pool, not a fountain and a lifeguard would need to be on duty.  The developer says it's a curveball.

"We just have to ask for a variance just because of the way the law is set up," said Keith Franklin with Land Plan Consultants.

Another plan that's being considered once all the trails are complete is to have a centralized sculpture garden, possibly on 31st Street, where all the sculptures every half mile are put together in one spot.

Adam Kalpacz says a sculpture park would be scenic.

"I think they're very beneficial to the city," said RiverParks rollerblader Adam Kalpacz.

Linc Smith likes having the sculptures spread out.

"I think it'd balance it all out as you run.  Cause sometimes it does get monotonous," said runner Linc Smith.

But, he says it's a good problem to have.

The QT Plaza costs $3 million.  Most of that money is donated from QT. 

Construction workers say the new foot bridges will be paved over by next week.