New Trails Have Some Impressed

It was a beautiful sunny day to go for a walk or a bike ride.  But down on the rivertrail, people are just as impressed by what's underfoot.  The News On 6's Steve Berg reports you of course recognize the river, but you might not recognize the rivertrail.  The first step in a $15 million renovation.  And it's a smooth step.

"First time I've been on it and it's really nice," said John Judd.

But cyclists, and runners, and walkers won't make as much of an impression on the trail.  It's a special polymer asphalt developed by SemGroup that's expected to last longer with fewer cracks.

"It might keep it from cracking in the future, and that would be good because it was in a constant state of repair," said John Judd.

Martha Payne and Martha Brewer say they like the wider trail, more than double the old width in some spots, with separate lanes for bikes and pedestrians.

"I like that you don't worry about being hit by a bike, you know, while you're walking," said Brewer.

Jack Judd says he used to live in South Tulsa and says the improved trail is a big part of what drew him here.

"My fiancée and I moved to the midtown region kind of specifically for the things they offer around this part of town so we're excited for it," said Jack Judd.

And they're not done yet, with lights, landscaping, and lots of aesthetic touches.

"I like the rock wall, that was a pretty touch," said Payne.

They've already started on the next mile between 11th and 21st streets.  Eventually, they will improve all the trails between 11th and 71st streets, on both sides of the river.