Park Project Pushed Back As Coweta Community Hopes For Change

Neighbors in Coweta are getting together in the hope of getting a park some desperately needed improvements.

The city manager said Roland Park is about 40 years old and they have a plan in place to give it a major upgrade, but they’ve had a lot of setbacks.

The tennis courts are cracked and overgrown.

"Nobody has fixed them over the years," said Gracie Vernon.

Basketball courts have seen better days, and chains hang where swings should be.

"Most of the community wants this update for the city," said Kristen Delligatti.

That's why Kristen Delligatti started a group on Facebook to revamp Roland Park. She and other residents met with city leaders to talk about options Monday night.

"This is our flagship park in Coweta and we want to make it as nice as we can," said city manager Roger Kolman.

Kolman said in 2018, the city drafted a plan for the park after a community survey. It includes a splash pad, security cameras and lighting, basketball court renovations and new trails. However, Kolman said historic flooding in 2019, then sewer problems and then a global pandemic pushed the project back to the middle of next year.

"Late summer to early fall before construction begins," Kolman said.

Residents at Monday's meeting said they've been asking for change for years and said the old park is hurting Coweta's economy and community.

Gracie Vernon grew up right by the park and has a baby on the way.

"I would love to spend time in Coweta as a family unit, but with it looking like it does, I would rather go to a neighboring community like Broken Arrow," said Vernon.

Delligatti said she's going to keep in touch with city leaders and is hopeful after a productive discussion.

"This is a small town but we want to have a nice park to enjoy," she said.

The city said once it secures funding and the project starts, it should take about six months to complete.