The Green Country loop of Keystone State Park is one of the favorite destinations for members of the Wheeler Dealers Camping Club. This third campout of the season was hosted by Lee and Ellen Cobb and Terry and Vicki Blevins, Ponca City.
Read MoreSand 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.
Hundreds of Sandites are still picking up the pieces after historic flooding devastated low-lying river-side areas outside of the protection of the levee system.
Not only did many flood victims lose their homes, but the entire community lost access to the 100-acre recreational paradise that is Case Community Park.
Soccer, Softball, Baseball, Disc Golf, Volleyball, Basketball, Trails, Horse Shoes, BMX, playgrounds, and the Rotary Super Splash Pad were all taken from Sand Springs for the foreseeable future.
Despite the tragic park closure, there are still many great opportunities for Sand Springs residents to find some rest, relaxation, recreation, and entertainment.
While most of Case Community Park may be closed, the community center at the north end of the park escaped the flood waters and is open for business. Although part of the building is set aside for FEMA operations, there are still plenty of fun activities.
Pickleball, Zumba, Tai Chi, Tiny Tots in Training, Dance Fitness, and Senior Exercise are only a few of the regularly scheduled activities. There’s an open basketball court, workout equipment, an indoor track, ping pong, video games, and more!
Also open for recreation is the 7,000 sq. ft. skate park located just south of the Community Center. Break out your skateboard, scooter, or bicycle and hit the quarter pipe! Ramps, stairs, rails, banks, bridges, all open from dawn till dusk!
Click here for more information on the Skate Park and Community Center.
Located in the heart of the downtown Triangle district, this beautiful example of Art Deco architecture is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is a fun and educational way to spend your afternoon.
Constructed in 1929 as a public library, the building was commissioned by Lucile Page to honor her late husband, Charles Page, the founder and patriarch of Sand Springs.
The library was converted into a museum following the construction of the new Charles Page Library building in 2001. The museum features a permanent exhibit on the history of Sand Springs and legacy of its benefactor, as well as rotating art and history exhibits.
Go for a bike ride along Katy Trail! Free parking for the trail is available at the Stage Department Store, right by the original site of the sandy springs from which our town draws its name. This easy-rated trail system can take you as far as you want to go, meeting with Newblock Park Trail and Riverparks East Trail in Tulsa. You can also take it south along Highway 97 into Prattville.
Enjoy 1,360 acres of 300-year-old post oaks, 500-year-old cedars, wildlife, beautiful scenery, and about eight miles of hiking trails at varying difficulties. See the untamed wilderness that has remained mostly unchanged since it was first traversed by famed explorer Washington Irving almost 200 years ago. This park was one of the deciding factors in why Expedia named Sand Springs as Oklahoma’s Best Getaway Location for 2019.
Click here for more information on Keystone Ancient Forest.
This north-side park features playground equipment, tennis courts, basketball, grills, swing sets, a teeter-totter, and a large open field for baseball, softball, kite-flying, etc.
This recently-renovated south-side beauty offers basketball, tennis, swing sets, playground equipment, grills, a brand new restroom facility, and the City’s only open splash pad.
One of the most recent park renovations includes new playground equipment, swing sets, grills, a picnic area, a trail, and lots of open space for group activities.
The Sand Springs Lake is another historic piece of Sand Springs. Originally a weekend destination for neighboring Tulsans, it used to be a popular swimming hole with a petting zoo and amusement park. Those days are long gone, but it’s still a quaint afternoon getaway with an ADA-accessible trail, a beautiful garden, and well-stocked ecosystem of fish.
One great place for summer activities is ZegART Studios. The local art studio and gallery features great affordable summer camp classes for youth ages 6-18. Learn to express yourself through mobiles, wall hangings, macrame, painting, mosaics, metal engraving, string art, wood work, birdhouses, acrylics, and more.
With cheap delicious snow cones, voted Best in Tulsa County in 2016, and lots of free activities for the kiddos, Harper’s Hut is a must-stop for all Sand Springs visitors. Toss a frisbee or a football, practice your disc golf throw, hula hoop, play corn hole, and have your picture taken aboard a pirate ship!
Click here for more information on Harper’s Hut.
Sand Springs, OK - The City of Sand Springs Parks Department along with the Broken Arrow Sidewalk Astronomers and the Keystone Ancient Forest Trail Guides invite the general public to a rare astronomy night on Friday, July 20. The gates open late at 9:30 p.m. and guests will be allowed to stay until after midnight. There will be NO hiking during this event. Trails will be closed.
An evening of star and planet gazing (weather permitting) is planned for this free event thanks to the help of the Broken Arrow Sidewalk Astronomers. This group will share as many as six high-performance telescopes (transportable) which range in size from 4-18 inch glass diameter to view the planets and stars. A brief introduction on astronomy will begin at 9:30 p.m., with viewing happening until the event concludes after midnight.
"This is a great opportunity for people to enjoy the Keystone Ancient Forest in a unique way," stated Jeff Edwards, Parks Director for the City of Sand Springs. "Even though it will be a late night to see the heavens, this is a great summer event for kids and families."
Astronomy activities will require a night free of cloudy overcast. For the latest updates on this and other hiking events, please follow the Keystone Ancient Forest FaceBook page. Pets are not allowed for this event. Porta potty service is available.
For more information about the City of Sand Springs Parks Department, contact their offices Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at (918) 246-2561 or visit www.sandspringsok.org.
Sam Childers was posthumously recognized with the John M. Hess Award for Outstanding Citizenship at Monday evening's Sand Springs City Council meeting. Childers' daughter was on hand to receive the award.
Childers served on the Sand Springs City Council, Municipal Authority, Citizens' Water Study Committee, Planning Commission, and the Pogue Airport Advisory Board over several decades. He passed away in January of this year.
An early backer of the Keystone Ancient Forest campaign, Childers donated land to the conservation and has a trail named in his honor. The Childers family trust recently pledged to donate $7,500 for the naming rights to a visitors' center planned at the preserve.
Municipal Judge Tom Askew administered the oath of office to Councilors Beau Wilson, Brian Jackson, and James Spoon, who were recently elected to three-year terms ending May 2021.
Mike Burdge was unanimously reelected to a one-year term as Mayor for the thirteenth time since taking office in 1996. Phil Nollan was unanimously elected to his first one-year term as Vice Mayor.
City Manager Elizabeth Gray presented each member of City Council with a small commemorative memento in recognition of their hard work. City Council is an elected volunteer position and members do not receive compensation.
In other news:
Council unanimously approved $45,065.00 for the purchase and installation of a new Court Management software system at the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center, funded by a 2017 public safety bond.
Council unanimously approved $49,512.00 for the purchase of fifteen Noptic NV3 cameras with LED spotlights for police patrol cars, funded by a 2017 public safety bond.
Council unanimously approved $25,420.70 of public safety bond funds for the purchase of an IRecord Universe IP Turnkey Recording System. The system will be installed at the Billie A. Hall Public Safety Center interview rooms.
Council unanimously approved $137,715.21 of general obligation bond funding for the purchase of new Network Infrastructure and Firewall hardware.
Council unanimously approved a $190,332.00 agreement with Craig and Keithline for services relating to infrastructure planning at the Sheffield Crossing Development.
The City of Sand Springs held a regular City Council Meeting Monday night and approved the purchase of twenty acres adjacent to the Keystone Ancient Forest at a value of $100,000.
The property sits next to the entrance to the existing nature preserve and is not bound by the same rules as the preserve. Community Development Director Grant Gerondale hinted at the possibility of biking trails in the future.
The land is currently owned by the H. Sam Childers Trust. Childers was a crucial player in the development of the forest before his death in January of this year. Council also approved Childers as the recipient of the 2018 John M. Hess Municipal Award for Outstanding Citizenship. The award will be presented this May.
The acquisition will bring the forest to 1,380 acres total. The land features 300-year-old post oaks and 500-year-old cedars, and was the site of an exploratory expedition by famed Sleepy Hollow author Washington Irving in 1832.
The forest has multiple hiking trails, including a 0.6 mile ADA-compliant paved trail named in Childers's honor. Voters approved a general obligation bond issue this past November that will fund a visitors center and observation platform at the forest. The Childers Trust has pledged to donate $7,500 for naming rights to be applied to a future lobby or entrance area of the visitors center.
In other news:
Council unanimously approved a measure of support for public school teachers. SEE RELATED: Sand Springs City Council approves resolution of support for teachers
Council awarded a bid of $88,165 to Play By Design, Inc. for seven shade structures at Case Community Park. Four will be installed near the Great Lawn and three will be placed at the Rotary Super Splash pad.
Council approved resolutions of dilapidation and public nuisance against properties at 118 North Franklin Avenue and 808 North Franklin Avenue.
Council approved $28,838 for the purchase of a new unmarked detective vehicle for the Police Department, as well as $10,117 for tasers and pepperball launchers, and $38,286 for audio logging equipment
Council approved an agreement with Keithline Engineering Group at a cost not to exceed $45,740 for beautification of the City Water Treatment Facility.
Council declined to vote on a request for detachment from City limits by Smithee Holdings at 7298 West Charles Page Boulevard.
Council approved a bid of $1,062,555 to Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc. for a rehabilitation project at the Northwoods Chloramine Booster Station.
Council approved the use of public funds for Oklahoma Municipal League membership, Mayors Council of Oklahoma membership, Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce membership, Tulsa Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce membership, Indian Nationals Council on Government Coalition of Tulsa Area Government membership, and Homebuilders Association membership, as well as participation in the Oklahoma Sovereignty Symposium, and OneVoice Day at the Capitol.
The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular meeting earlier this month and discussed proposals for an upcoming General Obligation Bond Election. All of the proposals are still in their early stages and will likely be reworded, reorganized, and tweaked before being presented to the public. Council will hold public hearings on the proposals before they are finalized.
Proposal One relates to streets and roadways and in its current form would total $3.565 million. $1.445 million would be directed towards street overlays and repairs, while $2.06 million would be used to construct a new roadway over the levee separating River City Parks from OmniTRAX.
The new road would help alleviate traffic delays along Wilson Avenue between Morrow Road and US-64. Proposal One would also provide the City with new equipment for overlays, as well as street sign production.
Proposal One passed unanimously, minus Councilman Brian Jackson, who was absent.
Proposal Two relates to Public Safety equipment and software and would total $2.27 million total.
$1.137 million would be used to acquire new safety computer equipment and software. According to Police Chief Mike Carter, the SSPD are having frequent failures with the current software used for recording criminal activity.
The other $1.133 million would be used to replaced a 27-year old ladder truck. According to Fire Chief Mike Wood, the current vehicle is an open cab truck which is unsafe and no longer produced, and only has single-point seat belts. The truck has continued maintenance issues, the internal waterway is extremely corroded and could cost $50,000 to $100,000 to fix. The Aerial Master Stream failed at a mower shop fire a few years ago, there was a motor failure in 2006, and pump failures have also plagued the vehicle. The water tank is too small, the truck is crowded and poorly designed, and it's the only ladder truck in the department. The SSFD has applied for federal grants to replace the truck annually for the last decade but haven't received one yet.
Proposal two passed unanimously.
Proposal Three would provide for a renovation of the clubhouse at the Canyons at Blackjack Ridge golf course. The clubhouse would be redesigned to a more open event center concept. "We're doing well at the golf course and we want to maintain that reputation as one of the better golf courses in the Tulsa area," said Mayor Mike Burdge.
The proposal would also provide for parking lot lighting and electrical work at the Jerry Adair Baseball Complex, as well as Museum improvements, neighborhood park improvements, a new playground at Angus Valley, and neighborhood trail improvements around Pratt Elementary and Clyde Boyd Middle School.
Part of the funding would be used to build a visitor's center at Keystone Ancient Forest. According to Parks Director Grant Gerondale, current guided hikes are ran off a truck tailgate. The only bathrooms on the premises are port-o-johns. An observation tower would also be built in the forest.
One point of contention around the proposal was $3 million to be used for building a memorial for military, police, and fire. The proposed memorial would include the names of more than 5,000 Oklahoma servicemen and women with a water feature and a fire feature for retiring flags. The memorial would be built in the OmniTRAX development area next to the new City Public Safety facilities.
While all six council-members were in favor of building a memorial, debate arose surrounding how much should be spent and whether the memorial should stand as an individual proposal.
Ultimately, Councilman Jim Spoon moved that the proposal be approved with the memorial limited to $1 million instead of $3 million. The measure passed 4-2 with Councilwoman Patty Dixon and Councilman Phil Nollan voting against.
Proposal Four totaled $3.2 million and relates to equipment, building upgrades, and software. The funding would provide for the purchase of a commercial track hoe, a bulldozer, a Vactor truck, and city-wide beautification and landscaping. The City's water-treatment facility in particular would receive substantial landscaping improvements.
Proposal Five regarded economic incentives and land acquisition. Previous economic incentives provided for through bond issues led to the recruiting of Reasor's, Webco, and Wal Mart.
Proposals Four and Five were passed unanimously, though Councilman Spoon noted that they should consider separating the beautification aspect of Proposal Four into its own item.
The Sand Springs City Council met in a regular monthly meeting Monday evening and handed out a series of mayoral proclamations recognizing the Charles Page High School Wrestling Team for their State Championship wins this season.
The City of Sand Springs was recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Health Center for the Advancement of Wellness for achieving the certified healthy designation of "Excellence." They were also awarded the 2017 State Historic Preservation Officer's Citation of Merit for the exterior rehabilitation of Page Memorial Library, which now houses the Sand Springs Historical and Cultural Museum.
Parks Director Grant Gerondale provided a presentation on ongoing Parks Department projects. The department has been executing controlled burns at the Keystone Ancient Forest over the past months to keep overgrowth under control. They are also establishing a controlled burn line and trail that will be approximately three miles long when complete. According to Gerondale, the forest receives approximately 3,500 visitors per year.
The River City Park renovation is well under way. The department has planted nearly 200 new trees in the largest re-foresting project in the history of the city. Two new playgrounds have been installed that Gerondale described as "second to nothing in the U.S." The disc golf course is being relocated deeper within the park and is being expanded to a full 18-hole course. There will also be a "Thunder Cares" Court built in the park.
The park is still seeing extensive use in spite of ongoing construction. The Will Ramsey Softball Park and Inez Kirk Soccer Complex both saw more than fifty teams apiece at tournaments this past weekend and the BMX track has seen increased use in the past year. The Jerry Adair Baseball Park and the Soccer Complex are both undergoing expansion with the addition of new fields.
SEE RELATED: Sand Springs Town Development History
Council unanimously approved the transfer of $51,578 from the ODOC Home Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund. The ODOC Home Fund was part of a federal program established in the 1990s to provide low-interest loans to elderly residents for home repairs. That program has long since been defunct and the funds have sat dormant for more than a decade. The money will now be used to acquire and combine vacant properties where dilapidated houses once stood in older neighborhoods.
Council unanimously approved resolutions authorizing the use of Community Development Block Grant funding for construction of a sidewalk on the south side of 10th Street between Adams Road and Ray Brown Park.
Council unanimously approved an agreement between the City and the Sand Springs Public School District authorizing the use of $47,862.00 for the use of enhanced security systems, including video camera installation.
Council unanimously approved the use of $1,500,000 to construct a new building to replace Fire Station #2 in Prattville. The current building has undergone multiple remodels that have failed to improve upon chronic roof leaks, a history of mold issues, and an overall inadequate design.
This disused mill on old Highway 51 will soon serve as a welcome sign to the City.
Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the execution of several projects, including the commissioning of a series of murals around the community. One location planned to be the recipient of a beautification project is the abandoned silo on the property of Riverview RV Park on old Highway 51 in Prattville.
Sandite Pride News, LLC is a locally owned and operated Sand Springs, Oklahoma news source, serving the community since 2014.
What is Sandite Pride News?
Sandite Pride is the only locally owned and operated news source for Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Sandite Pride News was founded in 2014 by Scott Emigh. The site is primarily focused on Sandite sports, Sand Springs city development, events, and community news.
