Photo Credit: Courtesy of Tulsa Riverparks
The new 41st Street Plaza in Tulsa, Okla., is a water-loving kid’s dream come true, and Tulsans are water-lovers by nature, given the city’s hot summer climate and its location on the Arkansas River. The park’s innovative fountains and pools are the key to its family-friendly design, and provide a central theme for its other purpose--a main city park and a “front porch” for the whole town, as civic leaders call it.
“The 41st Street Plaza has definitely become a popular place for families,” says Matt Meyer, Executive Director of Tulsa's River Parks Authority. “People of all ages and demographics are enjoying this new gathering area. The state-of-the-art playground and water features are a great attraction, and we're extremely grateful to those who made this privately-funded public improvement possible.”
The $2.8-million plaza, which opened on May 1, represents a two-year public-private effort to upgrade key areas within the park's 18 miles of riverfront. A consortium of local businesses and foundations funded the costs of design and construction, with QuikTrip Corporation--a Tulsa-based convenience store chain--footing the largest share.