(PROJECT) QT Park - 41st & Riverside

[sauerkraut]

Looks great, but I don't like streets or driveways crossing the jogging trail, it increases the risk of a jogger getting hit by a car. The Casino near 81st has it's driveway cross over the RiverSide jogging trail and it's a pain in the butt for runners by having cars going in & out. I'd like the trail to be totally free of any car cross traffic or street crossings. I'd also like a ban on dogs. They should build the trail closer to the river to the west of the park area to avoid driveways.

[joiei]

quote:Originally posted by PonderInc

What did they do with Bell's Skyride?  That would be a fun way to cross the river...like jumping on a ski lift.  Or you could cross via zipline...

The towers for the skyride are still in place at the fairgrounds.  Did that ride belong to Bells or to the fair?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by joiei

quote:Originally posted by PonderInc

What did they do with Bell's Skyride?  That would be a fun way to cross the river...like jumping on a ski lift.  Or you could cross via zipline...

The towers for the skyride are still in place at the fairgrounds.  Did that ride belong to Bells or to the fair?

Bells sold it to the fairgrounds, since the county is made of money.

[CoffeeBean]

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

. . . I'd also like a ban on dogs . . .

I want a ban on people who want a ban on dogs.  But seriously, why a ban on dogs?  We already have laws against letting them run free and indiscriminate pooping.  

Is it that you want those laws enforced with greater vigilance, or do you simply hate the sight of happy dogs and their happy owners utilizing a public green space for exercise or fetch?

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by CoffeeBean

We already have laws against ... indiscriminate pooping.  

[/quote]

If this forum had a rule like that, we'd lose quite a few posters but have much cleaner threads.

[TheArtist]

Only thing that bothers me about dogs on the Riverside trails is that I am always afraid I will end up tangled up in their leashes while I am trying to rollerblade. One wrong move by either me or the dog and we will both be eating dirt or in the river.

[sauerkraut]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Only thing that bothers me about dogs on the Riverside trails is that I am always afraid I will end up tangled up in their leashes while I am trying to rollerblade. One wrong move by either me or the dog and we will both be eating dirt or in the river.

Exactly. Many people don't watch their dogs. Runners like to jog on the trails to get away from dogs, and then people bring their dogs to the trails. I'd favor a dog ban on the jogging trails and let the dogs go to a dog park. (A few bad dog owners can ruin it for the good dog owners if they have to ban all dogs) Runners who run on the streets have plenty of dog trouble, and we don't need that dog trouble on the jogging trails. (Not to mention people who don't clean up the dog doo).[xx(]

[sauerkraut]

Omaha has a big system of jogging trails and some kids pulled a prank where they put shrink wrap across the trail at a street underpass and a bike rider ran into it causing him to crash and getting hurt badly. http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/19197889.html

[CoffeeBean]

I run riverside both with and w/o my dog and I rarely have problems with dog walkers.  The biggest problem on the trail - BY FAR - is the runner / biker traffic, esp. at the crow creek bridge (soon to be fixed, thankfully).  

Dog walkers pose no greater threat than mommies with double-strollers, or the disc golfers.  This is esp. true since the runner is the one overtaking the dog walker.  Just run around them.  Don't tell me there's not room.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by CoffeeBean

I run riverside both with and w/o my dog and I rarely have problems with dog walkers.  The biggest problem on the trail - BY FAR - is the runner / biker traffic, esp. at the crow creek bridge (soon to be fixed, thankfully).  

Dog walkers pose no greater threat than mommies with double-strollers, or the disc golfers.  This is esp. true since the runner is the one overtaking the dog walker.  Just run around them.  Don't tell me there's not room.

I agree ol bean. I run along the river paths and never have any trouble with dogs or kids either for that matter. This remodel of the river path seems tailored mostly to accomodate bikers. There is plenty of room on it.

Mr. Omaha, I think you need to get some perspective. Its about a healthy lifestyle, not the running per se. People out walking with their dogs and kids are not the problem. People who obsess with their biking, their running, their kids, and pets, now thats a problem.

[sauerkraut]

I do notice people who don't watch their dogs when I'm out running on the trails. I see dog doo in the grass.[xx(]

[cks511]

Now that the westbank trail is open from 11th to 71st most of the cyclists will take that rather than the eastbank. It's a welcome addition.

[sauerkraut]

quote:Originally posted by cks511

Now that the westbank trail is open from 11th to 71st most of the cyclists will take that rather than the eastbank. It's a welcome addition.

Hey that's great- Tulsa has a full open trail on the west bank, it's about time. As for me, Dogs are the biggest problem on the trails IMO, I keep to the right when I run on the trails and let the bike riders pass (some call out  "passing on your left" but many don't). I never had any trouble with cyclists or rollerbladers, most rollerbladers seem to be zoned out in their own little world. I find runners to be the most friendly bunch using the trails, I found for the most part cyclists and runners just do their own thing and try to stay clear of one another.

[stageidea]

Received this the other day and thought that I would share:

River Parks Trails' Construction Begins Phase III

TULSA Oklahoma – River Parks Authority will begin Phase III of its river trails improvements project starting Monday, June 16th. Phase III consists of total renovation of the east bank trail from 31st and Riverside to 48th Street and a completely new plaza at the 41st and Riverside gathering area. The construction site is now being fenced and will be closed to public access when demolition begins next week.

The trails renovation project includes replacing the park's existing trails with wider, dual trails to provide greater safety and enjoyment for the thousands of trail users who run and cycle in River Parks year round. With the park's heavy usage every effort is being made to keep the 3-year construction project moving at a rapid pace. Along with replacing the trails, all new lighting fixtures are being installed, as well as new park furniture and trash receptacles. Multiple rest stops with views of the river are also a feature of the new trails.

The trails renovation project is funded by a $12.4 million grant from the George Kaiser Family Foundation to replace the park system's narrow, aging trails from 11th Street to 71st Street on both sides of the Arkansas River. An additional $2.9 million in City 3rd Penny Sales Tax funds will supplement the project. Phase I of the trails renovations from the Pedestrian Bridge to 21st Street began in September of 2007 and opened for use March 4th, 2008. The Phase II trails renovation from Southwest Boulevard to 21st Street started in April, 2008 and was opened in time for the Tulsa Tough ride and race, which came to River Parks on June 1, 2008.

Areas to be closed during the current phase include the parking lot and recreation areas at 41st and Riverside Drive and the asphalt trails from 31st Street to 48th Street. An access corridor on the grass between Riverside Drive and the construction fence will remain open for pedestrian use. The Crow Creek Bridge, south of 31st Street, will be available as a part of this access corridor. The Crow Creek Bridge will be replaced with a new bridge that will be installed prior to reopening this section of trails.

Tim Carrigg, president of the Tulsa Wheelmen bicycle club says, "The work definitely takes a chunk out of our normal route, but it's not a big deal to start rides either north or south of the closed section. We can still get to the M.K. & T. "Katy" Trail up north, or the Creek Nation trail at 101st Street and ride 50 miles or more mostly on the trails."

Trail users are encouraged to plan alternate routes for recreation during construction. The area from 31st Street to the Pedestrian Bridge will remain open so that people who park at 31st and Riverside can access the northbound river trails. Also, the west bank trail extension from I-44 to Turkey Mountain is now open. This new asphalt trail enables continuous trail access from 71st Street to Southwest Boulevard on the west side of the Arkansas River.

The Tulsa Rugby Club's rugby field located at 37th and Riverside Drive will remain accessible for training, though trails behind the Rugby clubhouse are closed. The Rugby Club has moved its home games to an alternate location until construction is complete.

As a part of the Phase III park renovations, the disc golf course will be completely replaced with all new equipment donated by River Parks Friends. The 18-hole course was redesigned with input from the Tulsa Disc Golf Association to provide a challenging game and minimize conflicts with users of the new, dual trails.

Renovation of the River Parks gathering area located at 41st & Riverside Drive was announced in April, 2008, when QuikTrip Corporation unveiled plans for the project, which is estimated to cost from $2.5 to 3 million. All-new park elements will include a playground, water play areas, interactive fountains, a shelter and new restroom facilities. This gift to Tulsa comes as QuikTrip Corporation celebrates its 50th anniversary. QuikTrip plans to dedicate the plaza on Thursday, September 25, 2008 as a part of the corporation's anniversary festivities.

Designed by LandPlan Consultants, Inc. and Cyntergy AEC, the plaza and playground will be an exciting and innovative family destination. QuikTrip's goal is to provide fun, safe and comfortable outdoor entertainment at Tulsa's River Parks. The plaza will also provide a unique, flexible space for small special events and outdoor gathering of all kinds.


River Parks: Spread along miles of the Arkansas River, as it flows through Tulsa, River Parks provides some of the metropolitan area's finest outdoor recreation. More than 23 miles of asphalt-surfaced recreation trails weave past picnic areas, playgrounds, fountains and sculptures. The park's landscape ranges from manicured lawns to the rugged terrain of the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. Recreation in River Parks includes fishing, rowing, rollerblading, kayaking, disc golf, hiking, and bicycling.

[TheArtist]

"Renovation of the River Parks gathering area located at 41st & Riverside Drive was announced in April, 2008, when QuikTrip Corporation unveiled plans for the project, which is estimated to cost from $2.5 to 3 million. All-new park elements will include a playground, water play areas, interactive fountains, a shelter and new restroom facilities. This gift to Tulsa comes as QuikTrip Corporation celebrates its 50th anniversary. QuikTrip plans to dedicate the plaza on Thursday, September 25, 2008 as a part of the corporation's anniversary festivities."


I can't believe they are going to be able to do all that work in 3 months. The land prep and the stonework around the waterfall, the electrical and pipe work for the water features... They will really have to book it.