Purely Parks Newsletter

Wednesday,
December 7, 2016

Purely Parks Newsletter

Purely Parks. Those two words sum it all up. Tulsa parks are the gateway to nature, green space, trails, playgrounds, picnics, recreation and community. As stewards of Tulsa park land, the City of Tulsa Parks' family is passionate about their work and strive to provide the best park programs and park space for Tulsans. We hope you enjoy Tulsa parks and the many pleasures they have to offer.

This quarterly newsletter will focus on the creativity, accomplishments and activities at Tulsa parks. Feel free to share this newsletter with other nature and park enthusiasts. Enjoy!


Tulsa Parks Becomes Accredited The Tulsa Park and Recreation Department was recently accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), making Tulsa Parks the first city in Oklahoma to become accredited. Accreditation is based on an agency's compliance with the 151 standards for national accreditation. To achieve accreditation, an agency must comply with all 37 fundamental standards and 103 of the 114 non-fundamental standards. Only 152 agencies out of 10,000 have achieved this status in the United States. CAPRA accreditation is based on a five-year cycle that includes an agency self-assessment, an on-site visitation, and the Commission's review and decision online.	Whiteside Recreation Center - November Events Whiteside Recreation Center held two events in November for the community to enjoy. Whiteside Recreation Center held its first parent/child acrylic workshop focusing on the beautiful fall season. All painters and their partners enjoyed the class and there was a great turnout. Whiteside Recreation Center also hosted a free women's self-defense class in coordination with Midtown Martial Arts that focused on education and safety. For more information about upcoming events at Whiteside, visit Tulsa Parks Online.	Memories in the Making at WaterWorks WaterWorks Art Center and the Alzheimer's Association of Oklahoma hold monthly Memories in the Making® classes for people in the early and middle stages of dementia. The Memories in the Making® program is under the guidance of an artist facilitator who offers individuals a means of self-expression through the process of painting and drawing. In this program, a person with diminished verbal and organizational skills can communicate using paints or pencil by recreating a memory on paper or canvas. On Oct. 28, participants decorated pumpkins using acrylic paint and talked about their Halloween and fall memories. For more information about the Memories in the Making program, call (918) 596-2440.


Visit Oxley Nature Center Fall is a beautiful time of year for exploring the woods and meadows of Oxley Nature Center and Redbud Valley Nature Preserve. Onlookers can see wildlife, birds and the beautiful fall foliage. Frequently seen this time of year are eagles, osprey, pileated woodpeckers, and American white pelicans. Get involved in one of Tulsa's greatest assets, Oxley Nature Center, by joining the Friends of Oxley Nature Center Organization. Most recently, members held a hayride and cookout under the stars. To join the Friends of Oxley, call (918) 669-6644.	Park Improvements in Tulsa Parks are so important to the quality of life in Tulsa and nearly $35 million in capital improvements will be spent through the Third Penny Sales Tax and General Obligation Bonds for much-needed park improvements. Tulsa park improvement projects fall into three main categories: Aquatics, playgrounds and construction/renovation. Projects underway include a pool reconstruction at McClure Park and Lacy Park renovations, including: a new entry, covered drop-off area, exterior restroom facilities, new signage and a covered pavilion. Mohawk and Page Belcher golf course clubhouses will also receive heating and air service and security system upgrades.	Howard Park Receives New Route 66 Artwork Vision2025 Route 66 Enhancements and Promotion presents a specially designed artwork hand-crafted into three Indian limestone monoliths for installation at Howard Park. Celebrating the movement of the historic highway through Tulsa's early defining decades, the three sculptures capture five major aspects of Tulsa's history through transportation, industry, Art-Deco architecture, and Native American and American culture. Each side (12 in total) will have its own representation.

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