Tulsa Parks on Thursday evening will present findings and results from public opinion surveys conducted regarding its master plan.
"We recently conducted a community survey and have had a team of consultants complete an inventory and level of service analysis for our park system and operational and recreational programs," the department said in an invitation to the Thursday 6:00 p.m. event, to be held via Zoom. "Now is the time to hear the results of the survey and analysis of our department. We invite to participate in this meeting and provide your input. Our ultimate goal is to have a successful master planning process that will transform our community’s vision into tangible plans to create outstanding recreation opportunities, well-maintained facilities, and a customer-focused and responsive park system."
At a Tulsa Park and Recreation Board meeting Tuesday, Dan Seder of consulting firm GreenPlay previewed some of the survey results.
"More than half of respondents indicated that they would probably or definitely support various potential funding sources" to increase the department's budget, Seder said.
Seder said an increase in user fees was the least popular funding mechanism, with offering naming/sponsorship opportunities and a quarter-cent increase in sales tax the most popular.
The survey found the top changes that people indicated would make them more likely to use parks and recreation facilities more frequently were better conditions and maintenance and better lighting in parks, Seder said.
It also found respondents indicated the facilities most important to them were trails/pathways, neighborhood parks and playgrounds. When broken down by geographic area, Seder said playgrounds and aquatic facilities were most important to respondents in north Tulsa.
