River Trail FAIL!

[custosnox]

Do you even go to River Parks?

First, there's almost always flow through the Zink Lake area, even when you see sand bars across the water.  Second, there's a fountain just north of the pedestrian bridge, and third, the water moves too fast for algae to form.

I think he is refering to the lagoon where the amphitheater is at

[heironymouspasparagus]

Haven't been there in about two years.  And that was in response to Gaspar was talking about the stagnation in "pond-ish" area at the amphitheater (unless I just misunderstood where he was talking about).  Just a thought to aerate the water.

[Conan71]

Haven't been there in about two years.  And that was in response to Gaspar was talking about the stagnation in "pond-ish" area at the amphitheater (unless I just misunderstood where he was talking about).  Just a thought to aerate the water.

Thanks for clarifying.  Yes that would have been a very good design element.  As far as algae growth, you still don't see any in the lagoon.  if any does grow there, the ducks and geese do a good job of getting rid of it apparently.

[SXSW]

You could probably solve a lot of the lagoon's problems just by getting rid of the jetty and having it be an open cove.  That way water could circulate better.  Would probably be cheaper than filling it in too, unless they really just wanted to get rid of it.  

If it stayed and they removed the jetty, it would be cool to see a boardwalk built along the west edge right up against the water next to the hike/bike trail by Westport.  The trail already is really close to the water there.  Something like this in Washington DC:


The view from the boardwalk, especially with the jetty gone, would be pretty awesome:

[TheTed]

The west bank trail is now complete from 71st to the Pedestrian Bridge, and also from the 21st St. Bridge to the boathouse.  The section between the 21st Bridge and the Ped Bridge is under construction and looks like it will finish sometime in the next couple months depending on weather.  Not sure when they are going to start working on the trail north of the boathouse to 11th/SW Blvd...I assume that will be dual-trail too?

Still hoping it is announced soon that they will rebuild the trails south of 71st and route them behind the casino to the Jenks Bridge.  If they are dual trail all the better..

I guess I skimmed over the "also the ped bridge" portion of your post. I tried to bike a downtown>east bank>71st St Bridge>Ped Bridge>31st>Cincy/Boston>downtown loop.

I got to the west landing of the ped bridge and they're serious about closing down that thing. Three or four barriers, barbed wire. Oh well, riding back on Southwest Blvd probably got the blood pumping a little more than the trail would've.

I sure hope they finish with the ped bridge and its connection to west bank trails heading south soon. That closure just screws any connectivity.

Also, there's a mile or less of the east bank trail closed south of I-44. They have the right lane coned off for construction vehicles. But that lane was basically unused, so it made a nice little bike detour for that portion of closed trail. The sign said 'trail closed 2-16 and 2-17, so I guess that means it's almost done.

[SXSW]

I guess I skimmed over the "also the ped bridge" portion of your post. I tried to bike a downtown>east bank>71st St Bridge>Ped Bridge>31st>Cincy/Boston>downtown loop.

I got to the west landing of the ped bridge and they're serious about closing down that thing. Three or four barriers, barbed wire. Oh well, riding back on Southwest Blvd probably got the blood pumping a little more than the trail would've.

I sure hope they finish with the ped bridge and its connection to west bank trails heading south soon. That closure just screws any connectivity.

Also, there's a mile or less of the east bank trail closed south of I-44. They have the right lane coned off for construction vehicles. But that lane was basically unused, so it made a nice little bike detour for that portion of closed trail. The sign said 'trail closed 2-16 and 2-17, so I guess that means it's almost done.

Yeah I noticed that too about the Pedestrian Bridge.  I assume they want to finish up the trails by the landing first (between the bridge and 21st) before reopening the bridge to joggers and bikes.  It will be really nice once it's all finished in a couple months.

I'm not sure what the timetable is for the trail around I-44.  I know they are doing some major utility work in the area right now, and they will be doing work at I-44 later this year.  I think they are waiting for everything to be finished first before making that section dual-trail.  That's one of my favorite parts of the trail, especially where you wind through the trees just south of I-44.

[TheTed]

http://www.riverparks.org/trail-conditions.html

This nifty map on the River Parks site says the west bank trail from 23rd to the Pedestrian Bridge is scheduled for March completion.

The east bank trail between 53rd and 58th is currently passable but will be closed from March-July for widening.

That really sucks. Guess I'll be spending more time on the downtown-Sand Springs trail. Though it is a nice change of pace to dodge passed out drunks and kids smoking up instead of the joggers you dodge in the River Parks.

[SXSW]

http://www.riverparks.org/trail-conditions.html

This nifty map on the River Parks site says the west bank trail from 23rd to the Pedestrian Bridge is scheduled for March completion.

The east bank trail between 53rd and 58th is currently passable but will be closed from March-July for widening.

That really sucks. Guess I'll be spending more time on the downtown-Sand Springs trail. Though it is a nice change of pace to dodge passed out drunks and kids smoking up instead of the joggers you dodge in the River Parks.

Thanks for the info.  The last stretch will be 49th to 53rd, which is the part that goes under I-44.

[TheTed]

I was on the west bank trail yesterday and noticed they have started putting in the lights along the paved trail by Turkey Mountain!  Just a few of them but a good sign; maybe we can have a lighted trail by summer!?

Looks like they're doing quite a bit of work on the installation of lights today. Some crews on the northbound trail exit from Turkey Mountain, going down the hill. Some more crews up by the wastewater treatment plant.

[Conan71]

Have they opened 21st to 31st on the west bank yet?

Any ideas on when they will be done south of I-44 to 61st?

[TheTed]

Have they opened 21st to 31st on the west bank yet?

Any ideas on when they will be done south of I-44 to 61st?

West bank is open all the way. They're just doing landscaping in that area.

The River Parks website says the east bank south of I-44 will be completed in early July. Sucks there's no on-street route to avoid that due to suburban street design in that neighborhood. But riding on Riverside for half a mile sure is a good workout. Interval training with the fear of death to raise the HR a little more.

[Conan71]

West bank is open all the way. They're just doing landscaping in that area.

The River Parks website says the east bank south of I-44 will be completed in early July. Sucks there's no on-street route to avoid that due to suburban street design in that neighborhood. But riding on Riverside for half a mile sure is a good workout. Interval training with the fear of death to raise the HR a little more.

LOL, it's almost as good as pit bull intervals...

[Gaspar]

LOL, it's almost as good as pit bull intervals...

LOL! Reminds me, I had a rather large snake fall out of one of the trees as I was riding my bike under it.  It landed on my neck.  Inspiring workout!

[Patrick]

The River Parks website says the east bank south of I-44 will be completed in early July. Sucks there's no on-street route to avoid that due to suburban street design in that neighborhood. But riding on Riverside for half a mile sure is a good workout. Interval training with the fear of death to raise the HR a little more.

You're braver than I am... I have been riding from Southwest Blvd & Riverside to the Creek trails via Turkey Mountain for awhile now to avoid that short stint on Riverside on the east bank.

You said the east side is passable - is it still a dirt surface?

[SXSW]

After July when the dual trail is complete south of I-44 to 56th St there will only be one last part to finish, the portion underneath I-44 itself and a few hundred feet on each side north and south.  That includes the wooden bridge just south of the highway where the bank slopes off next to the trail and Riverside...will be interesting to see if they build up that edge or build a new wider bridge.

The west bank trails are open and are fantastic...they are just doing some final landscaping in parts.  

Still hoping GKFF decides to extend the dual trails south to 96th (the Jenks ped bridge), and that they can work with the Creeks to route the trails by the river at the casino.  It is annoying and dangerous to have to cross the multiples entrances at River Spirit.  

It really is a great network of trails that could be even bigger and better.  I've had people from other cities wish they had such nice trails and those that have them wish they were as accessible to the city as RiverParks is to much of Tulsa.