Tulsa County Works To Improve Trail At Chandler Park, Make It More Accessible

Tulsa County is taking steps to make the easiest trail at Chandler Park better for people with disabilities.

A gravel trail along the ridgeline of Chandler Park is one of the last pieces of planned improvements for a section that's been closed for almost 15 years.

Tulsa County reopened the lower level of Chandler Park last October after completing bathrooms and adding parking near scenic overlooks.

Next, this 7-tenths of a mile trail will be paved so it's useable by more people.  

“This is the easiest trail to get to if you're in a wheelchair, or a walker, or have trouble getting around,” said Karsten Villanueva. “This is the easiest trail in the park.”

The topography at Chandler adds to its appeal and to the challenge of opening it up for people who can't walk the rough terrain. The trail work, like adding lighting and plenty of places to stop, is a step towards leveling out the access, along with other improvements.

“We actually plan on having a picnic pavilion here for the public to reserve, and we'll have a wedding venue on our scenic overlook, so you can get married and have those views of Tulsa behind you,” Villanueva said.

As Tulsa County starts these new projects to improve the trails, it's also making a new effort to protect what's here. There's been a surge of graffiti on the most popular trail that's left large surfaces of ancient boulders covered with paint. Tulsa County now has plans to remove it and better protect it going forward.

New signs line the trail that's due for an update, telling the story of the past as the county looks to improve it for the future.