River Parks Authority

PROJECT PURPOSE

The goal of this project is to clear significant brush and urban debris along the Katy Trail for the safety of trail users and nearby homeowners, plus replacing their fencing along the trail. The Katy Trail is an important link in Tulsa County?s network of public recreational trails serving residents throughout the county. It was built in 1988 on a former railroad right of way and is still owned by the State of Oklahoma. A number of residential neighborhoods are in close proximity to the trail, making them vulnerable to trespassing, vandalism and theft. To maintain security in and around River Parks trails, a significant amount of overgrown brush and urban debris needs to be removed along a fence line that extends through much of the trail corridor, for 5.5 miles. In many locations, the fencing itself has been damaged by overgrowth and needs replacement. Operational costs for River Parks? maintenance of the trail is funded jointly by Tulsa County, the City of Tulsa, and the City of Sand Springs; however, the operating budget has no provision for major capital repairs, rehabilitation or improvements - which are needed at this time. The City of Tulsa has committed $1M in ARPA funding towards this project.

EVIDENCE

In 2020, River Parks saw an increase in park attendance based on the number of people passing through various access points compared to the same period of 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 changed many visitors? perspective on healthy outdoor recreation. Starting with the quarantine, many individuals and families found themselves working and from home while often managing their children?s schoolwork as well. As people recognized the benefits to their physical and mental health that could be found at River Parks. With updates and rehabilitation, Katy Trails will become a safer outdoor experience for everyone wanting to visit River Parks.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

COVID-19 has adversely affected a broad section or our regional population and has been particularly damaging to those communities already experiencing health and economic disparities. Much of the Katy Trail lies along or within a federally-designated Qualified Census Tract (QCT) with residential neighborhoods of mostly single family homes. A QCT indicates 50% or more of the households have incomes below 60% of the Area Median Gross Income. Pandemic statistics indicate a disproportionate negative impact from COVID-19 for the demographics associated with QCT?s, making the Katy Trail an important public-use facility to provide outdoor recreation opportunities that can positively impact the physical and mental health and wellness of the community.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Each year River Parks hosts 1.2 million visitors! Success of all River Parks projects can be determined in several ways: - A decrease in complaints voiced to River Parks, Tulsa County, and the City of Tulsa regarding overgrowth of the Katy Trail specifically - An increase in the number of annual visitors to the park as measured a various access points within the park system, specifically the Katy Trail - A decrease in the number of safety reports complaints heard by the Park Patrol - An increase in positive public feedback through social media, email, website uploads and phone calls

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma