River trails work behind about 10 days

[sgrizzle]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/community/article.aspx?articleID=20080109_9_ZM1_hSetb87647

Another project setback due to the ice storm.

[TheArtist]

Am looking forward to seeing what the upgrades look like.

Any word on if and when QT is going to do its park near 41st?

[Renaissance]

I know it's a separate project, but last time I was in town I ran the Midland Valley extension and it was gorgeous.  The IDL right-of-way was a perfect compromise, because you run right along the edge of downtown.  The trail itself seems well built as well.  I'm a huge fan of the trail system in Tulsa--it's one of our major assets, and this latest River Parks project will only improve the system.

[sgrizzle]

The first 1-mile section will reopen to pedestrians today, although there is still a lot of work to be done.

quote:
River Parks trail section to be open

by: P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
2/26/2008  12:00 AM

Most of the construction on the one-mile segment has been completed.


The first one-mile stretch of River Parks trail improvements, from 21st Street to the Pedestrian Bridge, will open Tuesday.

It finally became warm enough Monday for the rest of the asphalt to be installed on the trail path, said Keith Franklin, the president of LandPlan Consultants, which is overseeing the work.

Although the stretch of trail will be open, users will still need to be cautious because of other construction in that area, he said. That includes irrigation, lighting, laying of decorative concrete and installation of benches, trash cans and other trail amenities, he said.

Work began last week on the second mile stretch, between 11th and 21st streets.

Franklin said that work should go much more easily because the section has no retaining walls, storm-sewer facilities or narrow terrain.

While that portion of the trail is closed, walkers and joggers will have to take to the grass.

The pedestrian ramp on the east side of the 21st Street Bridge also will be closed.

The improvements are part of a $15 million River Parks project that ultimately will enlarge and enhance the trail from 11th to 71st streets along both banks of the river.

The plan is to create a dual trail system to ease congestion for pedestrians and cyclists.

In areas where the terrain is too narrow for dual trails, the path will be widened to between 18 feet and 20 feet wide.

Where room allows, the trail will split into separate 10-foot-wide paths, with the existing route reserved for bicyclists.

The George Kaiser Family Foundation donated $12.4 million for trail improvements, and the city will add $2.6 million in third-penny sales-tax funds allocated to River Parks trail improvements.

The goal is to have the first two miles -- 11th to 31st streets -- completed by June in time for the Tulsa Tough cycling event.

Crossland Heavy Contractors is doing the work from 11th to 41st streets.

Anchor Stone Co. donated some of the materials for the trail, and SemGroup donated material and expertise for the microsurfacing, a material created by SemMaterials.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080226_1_A1_hMost85612

[PonderInc]

I thought that half the trail was supposed to be gravel/chat for walkers and joggers.  My knees (and low back) complain when I walk on hard surfaces.  What's the deal?  From what I've seen, and what this picture shows, it seems to be all asphalt!  One of the best things about the river was having the option of walking on a chat trail.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by PonderInc

I thought that half the trail was supposed to be gravel/chat for walkers and joggers.  My knees (and low back) complain when I walk on hard surfaces.  What's the deal?  From what I've seen, and what this picture shows, it seems to be all asphalt!  One of the best things about the river was having the option of walking on a chat trail.

I'm of the opposite opinion. Chat takes more work to get the same distance, not to mention there is a degree of lateral movement not seen on hard surfaces that could effect knees and ankles.

Maybe we can pool some money and buy you better shoes : )

[NellieBly]

From the photo on the front page it looks as though the trail is curbed. It seems to me that if someone on a bike were to have to avoid hitting someone or something on the path, the curb might cause them to wreck. Also, what about puddling in rain? If there are curbs, are there storm drains, too?

[cks511]

I thought that too. But it is not curbed, the asphalt is flush to the concrete. I walked it on Sunday.  Curbs are bad.  LOL.

[sgrizzle]

I believe they used concrete non-curbs to keep the edges from flaking off over time.

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I believe they used concrete non-curbs to keep the edges from flaking off over time.

Like every other public works project managed by the City of Tulsa, the trail widening is taking FOREVER.

Wonder WHY?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I believe they used concrete non-curbs to keep the edges from flaking off over time.

Like every other public works project managed by the City of Tulsa, the trail widening is taking FOREVER.

Wonder WHY?

Hey FB, I have a new rope...

[Friendly Bear]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I believe they used concrete non-curbs to keep the edges from flaking off over time.

Like every other public works project managed by the City of Tulsa, the trail widening is taking FOREVER.

Wonder WHY?

Hey FB, I have a new rope...

I'm not blaming the Kaiser Family Foundation.

I'm THANKING them. And, the other Patrons, too, like Anchor Stone and SemGroup.

It just seems the city Publik Werkes can't get something as simple as combined bike and pedestrian trails built in anything less than a year........

[PonderInc]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by PonderInc

I thought that half the trail was supposed to be gravel/chat for walkers and joggers.  My knees (and low back) complain when I walk on hard surfaces.  What's the deal?  From what I've seen, and what this picture shows, it seems to be all asphalt!  One of the best things about the river was having the option of walking on a chat trail.

I'm of the opposite opinion. Chat takes more work to get the same distance, not to mention there is a degree of lateral movement not seen on hard surfaces that could effect knees and ankles.

Maybe we can pool some money and buy you better shoes : )

I agree that good shoes are important (oh, and by the way, thanks for your kind offer...we'll settle offline...[]) but I'm pretty sure that all the literature says that concrete is the hardest on your body, followed by asphalt.  Certainly large gravel is hard to walk on, but small chat is considered one of the better options (I guess running on a high school track would be the best...but soooooo boring!).

There's a reason why there's always a beaten path in the dirt next to asphalt running trails...all the old runners and aging baby boomers have learned the hard way about what's best for their knees.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Friendly Bear


I'm not blaming the Kaiser Family Foundation.

I'm THANKING them. And, the other Patrons, too, like Anchor Stone and SemGroup.

It just seems the city Publik Werkes can't get something as simple as combined bike and pedestrian trails built in anything less than a year........

I think they had some pretty good reasons, and this is likely a bit of a backburner project.

[charky]

quote:Originally posted by Floyd

I know it's a separate project, but last time I was in town I ran the Midland Valley extension and it was gorgeous.  The IDL right-of-way was a perfect compromise, because you run right along the edge of downtown.  The trail itself seems well built as well.  I'm a huge fan of the trail system in Tulsa--it's one of our major assets, and this latest River Parks project will only improve the system.

That's good to know. Isn't this the trail that starts at Maple Park? (always looking for something new to run)

Speaking of trails...I was running the west side of the river last week and noted that the trail will be extended south of 61st...eventually hooking up with Turkey Mountain. It's being graded now...but you can still run it.