City Of Tulsa Has Plans To Remodel Dream Keepers Park

The City of Tulsa plans to revamp Dream Keepers Park downtown and is pursuing a National Park Service grant that could pay half the costs.

Parks Director Anna America said a preliminary architectural plan suggests $10 million worth of upgrades. The grant would match whatever funding the City can secure, up to 50%.

America said $3 million is committed now.

Dream Keepers Park is within steps of the river and covers 12 acres, and is mostly an open field. A playground is out of commission, and a fountain dedicated in 1977 is full of weeds.

A Veterans monument is part of the park but across a busy street from most of it.

The Tulsa Indian Affairs Commission developed the plan, which includes small gardens honoring the three major Tulsa tribes and a new, larger playground. The plans include interpretive markers explaining Tulsa's native history.

“When people come to town and want to see something Indian and Native American,” said Conenhour, “There's really no place for them to go to learn about that, so one of our goals is to create a cultural destination for Native Americans.”

The plans include closing off the short stretch of Boulder Park drive that splits the park in two.

The Veteran's monument would stay, with flags for each Oklahoma tribe surrounding it to honor Native veterans.

Parks official America believes there's a good chance the city could win the $5 million dollar matching grant, and is hoping the $2 million gap of committed local funding can be filled by the grant application deadline April 1. The grant will be awarded in November.

The city will make some improvements to the park regardless, with funding available through existing sources.