Sand Springs accepting bids for new visitor center at Keystone Ancient Forest

Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs announces its plans to publicly bid construction documents for a planned 2,000-square foot visitor center at Keystone Ancient Forest nature preserve, just west of Sand Springs. The City-owned project is the result of public bond support from the Citizens of Sand Springs and major philanthropic support from the Sharna and Irvin Frank Family Foundation.

The 2-level structure is the result of several years of planning, fundraising, master planning and (most recently) architectural design work by Studio45 Architects of Tulsa. Upon completion, the new design will feature a glassed in multi-function observation floor and modern restroom facilities. Below the main observation floor and restrooms, space will be allocated for park maintenance, storage and mechanical building systems. The facility will serve as the formal gateway for visitors to hike and enjoy nearly ten miles of pedestrian hiking at the forest.

The City will advertise for public bids early this month. Interested bidders can contact Grant Gerondale, Community Development Director at (918) 246-2504 for plan set details.

Sealed bids will be received in the temporary office of the City Clerk at 217 N. McKinley Ave until 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. Sealed bids will then be opened at the Case Community Center at 10:15 a.m.

The Keystone Ancient Forest opened for public visitation in October of 2007 and has become one of Oklahoma’s premier hiking destinations. Thousands of hikers enjoy year-round trail hikes amidst the oldest publicly accessible, protected, Crosstimbers forest remnant in the United States.

For more information about the City of Sand Springs, please visit www.sandspringsok.org and follow the City’s social media on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.