Riverparks Parking solutions

[TurismoDreamin]

I am very thankful that the Kaiser family helped shape the riverparks into what it is today. As a runner who frequents the parks, I've noticed that the changes have drawn people into the parks like never before. And with the large number of users comes growing pains. The 41st street parking lot is almost always full. The 31st street parking lot is usually the next alternative and because of this, it too is starting to become completely filled during peak hours. I think the riverparks would have more users if there were more parking available. But as I've learned, more surface parking is always looked down upon, especially in Tulsa (otherwise I would've suggested turning the NE and SE street corners of 41st and Riverside into more parking).

As I was at the park yesterday and had to resort to parking in the apartment parking lot across the street, I had an idea of using the streets themselves as a parking solution. Why not widen 31st and 41st streets from Peoria to Riverside with parking along either one side (using the other side for a bike lane) or both? When I was in Boulder, I noticed that some of the overflow parking for nearby parks and the Pearl Street area would end up in the surrounding neighborhoods which had the street accommodations for this. It would add to the walkability of the area.

[sgrizzle]

They are adding parking at 21st for the new restaurant but I would like to see more lots on the east side of the road. As far as on-road parking, I believe there needs to be some sort of physical barrier between the parking and the passing traffic, like the small parking area by the pedestrian bridge.

[TurismoDreamin]

They are adding parking at 21st for the new restaurant but I would like to see more lots on the east side of the road. As far as on-road parking, I believe there needs to be some sort of physical barrier between the parking and the passing traffic, like the small parking area by the pedestrian bridge.

Take, for example, 41st Street between Riverside and Peoria. They could put in some protected parking areas (similar to those along Peoria Ave. in Brookside). It would protect parked cars and provide streetscaping opportunities. I love it! The Brookside area is used to cars parked along the side of the street so it would be nothing new for drivers in the area. Maybe my Boulder fanboy is starting to come out...

[sauerkraut]

I have long been a supporter of more parking at RiverParks. It's a problem, I heard the parking lot at 31st is not very safe and cars have been broken into there, you do see busted car window glass on the parking lot pavement there. I always liked to park near the Jenks bridge at 101st street across from the QT store on the far south end but with all the trail work and bottle necks on Riverside drive street it's a hassle driving all the way down there. I always liked to Run from the Jenks bridge lot north up to I-44 and back, lately I have been just getting to the 41st street playground lot early before all the crowds arrive to do my running. I also wish they would put up some good mile markers on the trail. Last week they closed parts of the Creek Jogging Trail I dunno if it's still closed or not.

[sgrizzle]

I have long been a supporter of more parking at RiverParks. It's a problem, I heard the parking lot at 31st is not very safe and cars have been broken into there, you do see busted car window glass on the parking lot pavement there. I always liked to park near the Jenks bridge at 101st street across from the QT store on the far south end but with all the trail work and bottle necks on Riverside drive street it's a hassle driving all the way down there. I always liked to Run from the Jenks bridge lot north up to I-44 and back, lately I have been just getting to the 41st street playground lot early before all the crowds arrive to do my running. I also wish they would put up some good mile markers on the trail. Last week they closed parts of the Creek Jogging Trail I dunno if it's still closed or not.

Cars get broken to all over the city. If you see glass on the ground, my guess would be Shiner, not Chevy.

[TURobY]

Cars get broken to all over the city. If you see glass on the ground, my guess would be Shiner, not Chevy.

Yes, I've had my car broken into more times in South Tulsa than in Midtown or Downtown, or even in North Tulsa.

[Miss Solemnis]

It's a problem, I heard the parking lot at 31st is not very safe and cars have been broken into there, you do see busted car window glass on the parking lot pavement there.

I parked a Porsche in that lot - and the ones at 21st and 41st - several times a week for a couple of years and it was never touched. 

[Red Arrow]

If you see glass on the ground, my guess would be Shiner, not Chevy.

I think Shiner comes in brown bottles. Probably Miller or Corona but your point is taken.

[Red Arrow]

Yes, I've had my car broken into more times in South Tulsa than in Midtown or Downtown, or even in North Tulsa.

Just curious, what percentage of time does your car sit exposed to bad guys in each area?

My car has never been broken into in North Tulsa, but then I hardly ever go there.

[TURobY]

Just curious, what percentage of time does your car sit exposed to bad guys in each area?

My car has never been broken into in North Tulsa, but then I hardly ever go there.

I live in midtown near Kendall-Whittier, so there are plenty of opportunities. I'm in North Tulsa (TCC north campus) about twice a month for a couple hours for various events. I used to work South Tulsa, (near 71st and Lewis) where my car was broken into twice within a one month period during working hours. It was also broken into at 61st and Peoria. Never had it broken into in West Tulsa (but I don't spend any time there). Only once was my car hit in East Tulsa (I grew up there, and had my windshield shot at once with a B.B. gun back when there was a rash of B.B. shootings. Since I do theatre, I'm downtown on a nightly basis at either Theatre Tulsa or the PAC. Additionally, I party downtown at least 2x a week. I've never had any issues there.

[TurismoDreamin]

I have long been a supporter of more parking at RiverParks. It's a problem, I heard the parking lot at 31st is not very safe and cars have been broken into there, you do see busted car window glass on the parking lot pavement there. I always liked to park near the Jenks bridge at 101st street across from the QT store on the far south end but with all the trail work and bottle necks on Riverside drive street it's a hassle driving all the way down there. I always liked to Run from the Jenks bridge lot north up to I-44 and back, lately I have been just getting to the 41st street playground lot early before all the crowds arrive to do my running. I also wish they would put up some good mile markers on the trail. Last week they closed parts of the Creek Jogging Trail I dunno if it's still closed or not.

If you've noticed, they've put in round mile markers into the pavement. I usually frequent the 41st and 31st street areas and can only vouch for the mile markers being here. South of 41st, I'm not sure.

[Conan71]

I leave nothing in view which would create any interest for someone to break into my truck, and I've parked it all over town including leaving it overnight in downtown several times.  I also still have the stock factory stereo. 

Most stories I hear of people getting cars broken into involve getting their Garmin, iPod, iPhone, Crackberry, radar detector, lap top, etc. stolen.  Not to say that some cars don't get broken into at random and searched under the seats or glovebox.  I just find it interesting that (knock on wood) I've not had a problem with this and when I do hear of car break in's it's something specific which gets stolen.  The only broken glass I've ever replaced in a car was a back glass panel which I think was a random act of vandalism in the driveway of a house I used to own about 1/2 block north of Byrd Jr. High.

As far as parking goes, if you are going to jog or bike and not simply to enjoy a specific park area at Riverparks like QT park, 21st, or the Jenks bridge park, there is a ton of parking in the Riverwest Festival grounds parking lot and across the street from there on Jackson.  In fact, if you are going to go loop the trail anyhow, I'm sure someone who wants to just use the park at 41st would appreciate if you would take advantage of the parking over on the west bank.

[TURobY]

As far as parking goes, if you are going to jog or bike and not simply to enjoy a specific park area at Riverparks like QT park, 21st, or the Jenks bridge park, there is a ton of parking in the Riverwest Festival grounds parking lot and across the street from there on Jackson.  In fact, if you are going to go loop the trail anyhow, I'm sure someone who wants to just use the park at 41st would appreciate if you would take advantage of the parking over on the west bank.

I've been pretty lucky, as far as I have nothing ever stolen from my vehicle (not lucky, since I've been broken into several times). Mainly, because I don't have anything worth stealing. The worst that has happened is that someone stole my change cup from my center console.

As for parking, when I go the river, I leave my car over by the 11st street bridge parking lot (up on the hill). Nobody ever really parks there; I think most people forget or don't even know that it exists.

[Townsend]

When I go the river, I leave my car over by the 11st street bridge parking lot (up on the hill). Nobody ever really parks there; I think most people forget or don't even know that it exists.

By the future Museum?

[sauerkraut]

If you've noticed, they've put in round mile markers into the pavement. I usually frequent the 41st and 31st street areas and can only vouch for the mile markers being here. South of 41st, I'm not sure.

Yes, I noticed those spray painted mile markers and I don't like them, I hope they are only temp. things- They spent tons of money on everything else and even bought $5,000 light poles and for mile markers they go cheap by using a can of spray paint. Unreal. I like a mile marker to be a post in the ground so as I run I can see it coming up and check my stopwatch, a painted marker can't be seen in advance and in time the paint wears off and fades away. The old trail had wooden mile markers every half mile..