Quality Communities Park Workshop

QUALITY COMMUNITIES PARKS WORKSHOP SPRING, 2021

CHRISTOPHER C. GIBBS COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

INSTITUTE FOR QUALITY COMMUNITIES

The UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

Introduction

Parks Workshop Summary 2 Land Acknowledgement 4 Sponsor 5 Team + Collaborators 6

OU Institute for Quality Communities 7 Project Timeline 8

Park Design and Management Presentations

Changing Perspectives on Playground Design I have a park now. What do I do with it?

12 14

Park Plan Recommendations

Hollis 18 Lone Wolf 32 Stroud 46

Additional Resources

Bathroom Solutions 60 Funding and Resources 62 Books and Guides 64

PARKS WORKSHOP SUMMARY In the summer of 2020, the communities of Hollis, Lone Wolf, and Stroud submitted proposals to the OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC), seeking assistance planning for future improvements to local parks. IQC’s annual request for proposals is sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML), which provides matching funds to member communities seeking IQC assistance.

IQC coordinated the parks workshop so that all three communities could participate as a cohort, learning from the same educational programs and learning from each other’s parks. The goal of the workshop was to gain familiarity with the three local parks, understand the goals of local residents and leaders, and develop preliminary guidance for improvements to the parks. While much of the work and conversations took place virtually, the IQC team was able to make an on-site visit to each community to meet with staff and stakeholders. Following the site visits, the IQC team developed a series of proposals for each community.

Each community had a unique site and goals, leading to three distinct sets of proposals:

2

1

In Hollis, the existing park is a minimally developed open space located at the west entrance of the community. Residents sought advice for a performance stage. The team developed a concept for a branded park, “The Boundary,” with a performance stage and features to support the use of the park as an entertainment venue.

In Lone Wolf, the existing park is located on the main highway through town, with some existing play and picnic facilities, and is the venue for an annual Pow Wow gathering. Residents sought a phased plan to add basic amenities and improve the appearance of the park. The team developed a concept to redevelop the park with a nature play area, walking trails, Pow Wow or performance lawn, and new picnic facilities.

In Stroud, the existing Foster Park is a highly programmed and developed park with a scenic appearance, located in a neighborhood and adjacent to schools. Community leaders sought advice on pedestrian and bicycle circulation, as well as aesthetic and incremental improvements to the park. The team focused on strategies that preserve the park’s quality, like a tree inventory, and that tie the park’s existing amenities together as an experience through aesthetic upgrades and wayfinding.

3

This report contains the findings and recommendations for each of the community parks. At the end of the report, some additional resources are provided that apply to information all three communities sought, like public restrooms, funding sources, local organizations, and additional reading or guides for park planning practices.

1

Hollis Harmon County

2

Lone Wolf Kiowa County

3

Stroud Creek and Lincoln Counties

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais (ha-see-nai)” Caddo (caeh-doe) Nation and “Kirikirish (kiti-ki-ti’sh)” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.

We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations.

Today, 39 Tribal Nations dwell in the state of Oklahumma (Oklahoma) as a result of settler colonial policies that were designed to remove Indigenous people.

The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with Indigenous communities. We acknowledge, honor, and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support, and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of the 39 Tribal Nations in Oklahoma. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the peoples, cultures, and histories that make up our entire OU Community.

Created by LAS Working Group.

Learn more at OU Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: https://www.ou.edu/diversity

Quality Communities Parks Workshop | 5

SPONSOR

The Oklahoma Municipal League serves as the individual and collective voice of local government officials in interactions at both the state and national levels. The League provides services and programs to its members to assist them in better serving their citizens and communities and acts as a clearinghouse to offer services which individual cities and towns do not have the time, money, or expertise to provide alone.

OML.ORG

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OU INSTITUTE FOR QUALITY COMMUNITIES Leadership

Team

Shane Hampton

Alice Calmon

Matthew Kessler

Executive Director

Graduate Assistant

Graduate Assistant

Vanessa Morrison

Bethany Grissom

Naoki Tsuruta

Associate Director

Graduate Assistant

Graduate Assistant

Ronald Frantz

Mumuchhu Gurung

Director of Small Town Studios, Wick Cary Professor

Graduate Assistant

COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS

Hollis

Lone Wolf

Stroud

Adam Bromlow, City Council

Carol Bunch, Office Clerk

David Timmons, City Planner

Ronnie Best, Hollis Police Department

Renae Vitale, Mayor

Robert Pearman, City Manager

Phyllis Williams, Harmon County Forward

Deuce Walker, Resident

Chad Robinson, musical performer with Hillbilly Stu

Billy Loller, Resident Karen Langolis, Resident Carolyn Koester, STEM Teacher

Jim Moore, City Attorney

Lesa Ward, City Staff

Connie Bromlow, Resident

Matt Davila, Fire Chief

PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS Jerel Cowan, Ph.D.

Sarah Little, Ph.D.

University of Central Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma

Quality Communities Parks Workshop | 7

CHRISTOPHER C. GIBBS COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

INSTITUTE FOR QUALITY COMMUNITIES

The UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA

The Institute for Quality Communities is a community engagement program in the University of Oklahoma Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture. The program was founded in 2008 by former OU President David L. Boren and First Lady Molly Shi Boren. IQC partners with Oklahoma communities to address local challenges, and brings best practices to Oklahomans through the biennial Placemaking Conference. IQC manages the Environmental Design degree program for undergraduate students.

IQC serves Oklahoma’s towns and cities while educating the next generation of leaders. The community is our classroom for interdisciplinary teams of students. We build partnerships with mayors, city managers, and civic organizations across Oklahoma to identify challenges in the built environment. Students learn by experience to gather community input, analyze existing conditions, and develop conceptual planning and design solutions. These partnerships enhance learning and help Oklahomans reshape their towns and cities in ways that improve health, economy, and quality of life.

We have completed more than 50 community projects in 28 Oklahoma counties. These have resulted in formally adopted plans, successful grant applications, and implemented changes.

IQC connects Oklahomans with stories and ideas that inspire them to take action. We host the Placemaking Conference, a biennial event featuring nationally-renowned experts in city design and development. The Placemaking Conference is about how we design and build towns and cities. Design of the built environment is of critical importance to challenges facing Oklahoma, with links to important outcomes in public health, fiscal solvency of local government, economic development, and talent retention.

The Placemaking Conference has attracted a total of 3,000 visitors from 60 Oklahoma counties. Holding this conference is an essential component of our efforts to reach community advocates, civic leaders, and industry professionals.

IQC.OU.EDU

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PROJECT TIMELINE PROPOSALS In the summer of 2020, IQC worked with the communities to respond to proposals submitted through IQC’s Request for Proposals, and prepared a program for the spring that would be sponsored by the Oklahoma Municipal League.

PARKS DESIGN & MANAGEMENT WEBINAR On March 2, 2021, IQC organized a webinar for participating communities. During the webinar, guest experts Dr. Sarah Little and Dr. Jerel Cowan presented on best practices in park design and management, and community representatives offered their questions and comments.

COMMUNITY INPUT The IQC team developed an online survey for local representatives to distribute. The survey asked questions about existing uses of the park, as well as preferred activities and amenities for the local park. Due to COVID-19, community input was less than normal and the IQC team recommends additional input from residents when moving forward.

SITE VISITS The IQC team made visits to meet with local leaders and residents in Lone Wolf (March 9), Stroud (March 10), and Hollis (March 17). During each site visit, the team met on site at the park, observed the existing facilities, documented the location with photographs, and facilitated a conversation with participants about goals for the park.

PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS AND REVIEWS The IQC team developed preliminary concepts and held an interim review on April 9 with guest experts Dr. Little and Dr. Cowan. Reviewers made recommendations and offered guidance about how to improve the preliminary concepts.

PRESENTATION The IQC team presented concepts to community members during a virtual review on April 26, 2021.

During the presentation, community members had the opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions for the team.

FINAL REPORT Following the presentations, the IQC team developed this final report as a record of the findings of the parks workshop.

Quality Communities Parks Workshop | 9 IQC Team meets with local leaders Hollis:

IQC Team meets with local leaders in Lone Wolf:

IQC Team meets with local leaders in Stroud:

PARK DESIGN & MANAGEMENT

PRESENTATIONS

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SARAH LITTLE | THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

CHANGING PERSPECTIVES ON PLAYGROUND DESIGN. Sarah Little

THE TRADITIONAL PLAYGROUND

Assistant Professor

Pros: Designates space for children; encourages a high level of physical activity; creates an iconic identity for a park; potentially facilitates inclusion of children with mobility limitations.

Cons: Has a high installation cost; excludes nature (stems, seeds, pods, things that kids like to play with); doesn’t account for all types of disabilities, for instance ASD.

University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture

NATURE Sarah Little is a professor of landscape architecture at the OU Gibbs College of Architecture, and a registered landscape architect in North Carolina. For 10 years she worked as a landscape designer in the design/build field creating high-end residential landscapes in the Charlotte metro area. As a registered landscape architect, she worked for 4 years designing children’s play environments and park master plans involving issues of environmental justice and community participation.

In transitioning from practice to academia, Sarah obtained a PhD in Design from North Carolina State University. Her teaching style encourages students to utilize reflective and critical thinking by emphasizing the role of design in creating an experience. Her research broadly focuses on understanding the influence of the design of the physical environment on human development.

Her current research projects involve linking human attachment with place attachment, understanding the link between natural environments and autonomy, and developing observation scales for behavior mapping.

Playgrounds can be a way to bring nature into the daily lives of our children. Having nature in our lives brings health benefits. It decreases morbidity and mortality, boosts immunity and cognitive function, speeds recovery from surgery, ameliorates obesity, and it’s a protective factor against mental health challenges.

THE PLAYGROUND DESIGN SPECTRUM: • • •

Traditional playground: Play on manufactured play equipment, NO nature.

Hybrid playground: Play on manufactured play equipment AND with natural elements.

Nature Playground: Play with exclusive natural elements, NO manufactured play equipment.

2 BIGGEST BARRIERS TO NATURE PLAY Risk and liability: It’s important to make a distinction between risk and hazard. Hazard is inherently dangerous. Risks are defined by challenge – a good challenge that’s just beyond a child’s current ability level. Managing risk is a healthy childhood development experience; meanwhile playgrounds have been designed to a point where all risk has been removed, and that’s detrimental to healthy child development. Liability determined through litigation. Try to conform to the standards that apply to manufactured play equipment, for instance, the Consumer Product

Quality Communities Parks Workshop | 13 Safety Commission (CPSC). Example: fall zones.

Try to conform nature playground to those safety standards.

Maintenance/management: There’s a need to have buy-in from the crew of people maintaining the park. Shift the perspective from maintenance to management. For example, leaves, sticks, and acorns are usually removed because they’re trip and slip hazards. They should indeed be removed from high traffic areas but could be relocated to another spot on the playground because kids love to play with them. They provide developmental experiences for children.

Resource: National Guidelines for Nature Play and Learning Places

NATURE PLAYGROUNDS Nature playgrounds relate to many people’s childhood experiences; it’s cheap. For example: instead of removing a fallen tree, shred it, cut up the trunk securely, and anchor it to the ground to create a play experience. Use nature elements to create play props. Incorporate sand and mud. There are ways to bring nature into kid’s life and provide a cost-effective play experience.

HYBRID PLAYGROUNDS Fall zones and safety surface border of manufactures play equipment can become a place to put planting pockets. Taking advantage of those can transform the play environment. Trees can bring shade, and the vegetation brings natural loose parts elevating the play experience to a new level. The vegetation also can become another place to play.

Kids next to ornamental grass become completely immersed in nature and feel hidden, while adults can still have visibility of the child.

EXPANDING INCLUSION Nature is a protective factor against or helps ameliorate the effects of a variety of types of disabilities. A common experience for kids with a variety of disabilities is having sensory processing issues and barriers to social interaction. The design

of play spaces can help ameliorate those issues.

Three environmental interventions can help: •

•

•

Escape spaces: Private spaces where an overstimulated child can calm down and reset before rejoining the activity, hopefully facilitating social interaction. Caves, cabins, places where they can hide, where they’re able to see outside and feel like they’re not being seen.

Transitions: Providing transitions between play experiences can help special needs children adjust to new experiences and navigate the play and learning area. Use vegetation to block the view before the next play setting; provide signage that describes that activity so adults can help kids prepare for that.

3D Models: Models can help facilitate social interaction and process sensory information.

They help kids feel what the play experience will look like, and can be especially interesting for kids with vision impairment.

ASK THE EXPERTS! Talk to the users of the space – the kids! – and get their input.

Resource: “The Routledge Handbook of Designing Public Spaces for Young People” the book shows why we should think about youth inclusion in planning, design, and policy around physical space; how can you include youth in these processes; real life examples of youth being included in projects. On the website there’s zipped file with all takeaways for the why and how sections of the book, free of charge. OU libraries have a physical copy of the book as well at the Architecture library that’s available for consultation.

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JEREL COWAN | THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

I HAVE A PARK NOW. WHAT DO I DO WITH IT? Jerel Cowan Assistant Professor University of Central Oklahoma

Jerel Cowan, PhD., is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), where he coordinates the Outdoor & Community Recreation program. He serves as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Recreation and Parks Society (ORPS), is on the board for the Oklahoma Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance (OAHPERD), and is involved with additional organizations that promote recreational activities in public spaces. Jerel has been involved with trail development in the state of Oklahoma for the last 15 years. When he is not spending time with his family you can find him engaged in backpacking, climbing, or trailrunning.

If we build a park within a town, will the people come? How do we get people to come to the parks and keep them actively engaged? What activities can be incorporated to pull more people into the parks? Another question arises on the safe access to the parks. Transportation corridors vary from 4-lane roads and sidewalks to forest pathways that move people to these parks. So, how are these transportation corridors affecting the access of our citizens to our parks? How do we make sure that the citizens and the kids have safe access to the parks? How do we help the visitors navigate around park edges?

Dr. Jerel Cowan presented some important aspects of park design and some safety rules that can be made around parks. Following are few insights on creating safer routes to parks, and activities that may pull in public to the park. In addition, he addressed the fact that how the current generation of kids are infatuated with digital media, games, and suggested ways on how we can incorporate activities that might be helpful in engaging kids into the natural setting of playgrounds.

SAFE ACCESS TO THE PARK The traffic surrounding the parks should incorporate speed limitations. As an example, a car going 25 mph will require 148 ft to stop the car which is 120 ft shorter compared to a car going 40-45 mph. In addition, getting hit by a car at a speed of 25 mph has a much lower injury or mortality rate compared to a car going 40-45 mph. Slowing down the traffic at least forty yards before approaching the routes to parks will allow safer access to the residents and importantly the kids into the park.

More drivers should be educated about speeding reaction

Quality Communities Parks Workshop | 15 time. Making people understand the human consequences of unsafe driving rather than just giving people speeding tickets can make them aware of the risks that surround it.

SAFER EQUIPMENT IN THE PARK The park equipment used in the parks decades ago were exciting but were not safe.

The play equipment used in parks in old times had edges with low rails, they were fast and lacking any safety precautions. If we think about it, they were hazardous. In addition, the traditional playground equipment did not accommodate children with disabilities. Compared to the playgrounds now, where we can see children playing in huge slides, are perceived to be unsafe but these play equipment are much safer with higher edges, where the old equipment had lower edges and were faster. Installing equipment such as merrygo rounds with built in speed governors, or slides with higher edges will be safer compared to the traditional playground equipment. These would help the kids experience playground equipment as their parents did but comparatively will be safer.

For Reference, Gathering Place, Tulsa.

SPACES FOR CREATIVE PLAY- “CREATING A SENSE OF PLACE” The kids now are engulfed in digital world.

The virtual games are taking over every child’s play time. Getting the kids to the parks and allowing time for creative play can be a way to move their focus from virtual world into natural playgrounds. Designing spaces for nature play, discovery areas will allow these kids to indulge in playgrounds. Along with space for creative play leverage the opportunity to induce participation from all user groups through introducing activities such as paddle boarding, fishing, or kayaks. Include fast-growing activities such as adventure racing, footgolf,

e-sports, drone racing, etc. Install stage for performances can impact on the flow of people into the parks.

Create adventure trails or corridors from one community to a nearby community, making parks the major attraction or transition point. Give the community the opportunity to develop their park as an adventure destination.

PARK PLAN

RECOMMENDATIONS

HOLLIS (HARMON COUNTY)

HOLLIS CITY PARK

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HOLLIS 1,883

POPULATION (2019)

- 7.4%

POPULATION CHANGE (2010 - 2019)

$42,125

MEDIAN HOUSE INCOME (HARMON COUNTY: $48,344)

DIVERSITY 6.4%

BLACK

FACTS 1.1%

ASIAN

0.6%

NATIVE AMERICAN

• Hollis was named after George W. Hollis, a businessman and townsite committee member who initially platted the town in 1898.

• Hollis was initially located in Greer County until it was voted out by its residents in 1909.

• Hollis is home to Harmon County Seat and the Harmon County Historical Museum.

35.8%

HISPANIC

52.8%

WHITE

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SITE INFORMATION

W Broadway St

N Westside Rd

The Harmon County Forward Foundation (HCFF) seeks to build a performance and art stage on 921 W. Broadway, Hollis, OK. With the collaboration with the City of Hollis and its associated local businesses and agencies, the Harmon County Forward Foundation hopes to create a performing arts and theatre stage that will enhance community growth, economic development, and social progression through the expression of performing arts. In addition, the residents hope to enhance the community’s overall aesthetics through the implementation of a theatre stage. Currently, the proposed project site is owned by the City of Hollis.

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HOLLIS, HARMON COUNTY

CASE STATEMENT Located in southwest Oklahoma within Harmon County, the City of Hollis is situated forty minutes west of Altus along U.S. Highway 62. With an estimated total area size of 1.4 square miles, Hollis is home to the 1) Hollis Golf and Country Club, 2) the Harmon County seat, 3) Harmon County Historical Museum, and 4) Abernathy Park. According to the 2019 American Community Survey (ACS), Hollis’s primary industry characteristics include educational services, health care/social assistance, agriculture, forestry, fishing/hunting, and retail trade.

Historically, the Hollis region originally served as a traversed field for the local Kiowa, Comanche, and Arapaho (KCA) Tribes. However, it was not until the 1880s, where early ranchers migrated/established within the area. During this transition period, Hollis was officially incorporated into Harmon County from Greer County after the former Oklahoma Governor Charles N. Haskell delivered an official proclamation in 1909. In 1910, the development of Altus, Wichita Falls, and Hollis Railway provided access to outside markets for the community, which led Hollis’s town to grow its population at a constant rate. As the population gradually grew, the town of Hollis was slowly forming as a rural center for agricultural production as residents/farmers utilized the town’s rich soils to grow cotton, wheat and peanuts. Today, Hollis has gained a reputation of becoming an agricultural sector comprised of cotton oil mills, dairy farms, and insulation manufacturing plants.

In March of 2020, the Harmon County Forward Foundation has applied to collaborate with IQC on concepts for a performing arts/theatre stage on 921 W. Broadway, Hollis, OK 73550. Currently, the proposed project site is owned by the City of Hollis in hopes of building a 600 square foot flat rectangular stage.

The proposed stage will serve as a center of performance arts as well as an alternative use for community/social events that will serve the City of Hollis and its neighboring communities. With the collaboration with the City of Hollis, Sportsman 62 Motel, Broadway Mini Stop LLC, Jim Moore, Atty, and several associated local businesses/organizations, the Harmon County Forward Foundation hopes to promote community self-discovery, expression, history, and education through this proposed initiative.

Currently, the City of Hollis lacks recreational facilities that promote the expression of art and theatre. Due to this expressed concern, Harmon County Forward Foundation and other community organizations are currently generating additional funds in hopes to provide future economic development, environmental management, and social well-being for its community residents. By implementing the proposed stage, the community will not enhance the opportunity of expression of arts but also the overall aesthetics of the community.

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HOLLIS, HARMON COUNTY

COMMUNITY INPUT We received twelve survey responses from Hollis.

The responses that we received about the current positive attributes, negative attributes, and future wishes have been assembled into a word cloud.

KEY DESIGN GOALS • • • • • •

Create an affordable and cost-effective arts/theatre stage and suggest the ideal placement for that stage; Promote community self-discovery and expression; Mitigate flooding; Improve Infrastructure (adequate parking spaces, enhanced park amenities, signage, vegetation/landscaping, and gathering facilities); Enhance park aesthetics; Provide possible additional project funds.

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HOLLIS, HARMON COUNTY

RECOMMENDATIONS FLOODING MITIGATION • Going over the floodplain map, it shows that the site falls under 1% annual

• • • •

chance flood hazard zone, making the site vulnerable to flooding, which the site has recently experienced. The site is nearly flat leading to the holding of the water collected during the event of heavy rains.

Consider placing a dry detention/retention area within the site allowing collection and penetration of water during flood events.

Consider adding some landscaping within the site, trees, and plantings to allow water absorption by the soil.

The soil survey showed that the site had Tipton Loam soil, which has moderately good permeability.

A creek flows south 0.2 miles south of the site. Consider adding some bioswales around the site and some topography in the site to avoid water retention within the site and control the water flow to the creek.

1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Hollis proposed Park site

Figure 1: Flood plain map (FEMA)

Figure 2: Dry detention area.

Figure 3: Dry detention area with landscaping.

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HOLLIS, HARMON COUNTY

STAGE DESIGN Since the stage will be built by members of the community, it should have a simple design with easy construction methods. Because of that, we suggest the use of wood. The back of the stage can be used as a canvas for artwork and it can be an attractive to the park as people move through the highway.

The references below show a few suggestions for the design. The first one suggests a wood structure and a white background for movie screenings. The second reference shows a structure built with pallets. It can be assembled in many creative ways and it can also incorporate lighting.

Figures 4 and 5: Wood stage with white background screen and amphitheater seating.

Figures 6, 7 and 8: Pallet wood stage with lighting and seating areas.

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HOLLIS, HARMON COUNTY

Westside Rd

W Broadway St

W Washington St

Figure 9: Conceptual Plan.

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OVERALL PARK LAYOUT The proposed site for Hollis Park is approximately 1.5 acres and located at the west boundary of the city. While the community members expressed the intended use of the site for concerts, they also expressed their desire to enhance park aesthetics, promote the arts and theatre of the town, and a place for seasonal gatherings for the town members. The park layout proposes the best location for a stage, a welcome sign to the visitors coming into the site, a location for public art display, a gathering space for community members, an area for food truck, a free play area, a dry detention area for flood mitigation and landscaping, and parking.

As the site is located at the west edge of the town, most residential developments are along the east from the proposed site. The northwest edge of the site is the most suitable location for a new stage. As the stage faces southwest, the layout of the stage and with some trees surrounding, will direct sound away from housing.

The backside of the stage can be used for a mural, visible from the northwestern entrance into the town. Alongside the welcome sign, the mural will help create pleasing aesthetics of the park. A beer garden for community gatherings has been proposed next to the Broadway liquor store. A space for a food truck has been proposed, which can be used during concerts or special events in the park. In addition, a free play area has been proposed to the southeast of the site, which can also be used for various programming.

Right next to the free play area is a dry detention area, which is expected to contain water during seasonal flood events. And during the dry season, can be used for an additional free play area for the town member, especially the kids.

Parking has been proposed but not limited to along the west and south side of the site. A walking pathway has been proposed connecting the beer garden to the parking and detention area, segregating the open area for a concert and the free play area.

1. Hollis Welcome Sign​ 2. Extended Low-height Stone Wall​ 3. Public Arts Display​ 4. Proposed Stage​ 5. Proposed wall for Mural​ 6. Beer Garden​ 7. Food Truck Area​ 8. Pathway connecting Beer garden and dry detention area​ 9. Dry Detention Area​ 10. Free play area​ 11. Resting space for performers​ 12. Parking

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HOLLIS, HARMON COUNTY

PROMOTE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT •

•

• • •

Consider establishing a partnership with nearby affiliated organizations to enhance park amenities and aesthetics. IQC recommends contacting eligible organizations or community residents specializing in art development to promote a sense of place and identity.

Consider collecting further community input to formulate future park events and gatherings. IQC suggests hosting an event in town hall where park concepts and events can be formulated to draft an ideal community plan for all residents. Consider utilizing survey methods to develop initial proposals prior to a community event.

Consider being more specific about which community groups might be able to help with the park, and how they could help.

Understand how to utilize the stage 365 days per year. Also offer guidance on whether the stage needs a manager, a contact, etc., for groups to contact about reserving the space.

Understand or recommend how many people would be in the crowd in the stage audience area, or the beer garden area.

PROGRAMMING While the expressed and intended use for the Hollis site is musical concerts, it has the potential to host a variety of events, catering to a wide range of users. Additional programming options for the stage include school plays and neighborhood movie nights. The large open grass area in the park is perfectly suited for creative outdoor events such as cardboard fort building competitions, stargazing nights, and community field days with large versions of classic yard games and board games. Consistent programming that appeals to many different user groups will activate the space and help the park develop a reputation as the place to be.

Figure 10: Yard games.

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HOLLIS, HARMON COUNTY

Figure 11: Movie night.

Figure 12: Stargazing.

Figure 13: Cardboard fort.

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HOLLIS, HARMON COUNTY

BRANDING The proposed project site, as a mostly unused, large open area, is uniquely poised to create an attention catching theme or brand for the new park. Doing so will give the park its own identity and help create a cohesive experience.

While visiting the site, the representatives shared their idea of repurposing an old cement mixer into a piece of public art that in its own right could become a tourist attraction. Building upon that idea, we created a theme for the park that consists of repurposing old industrial materials. The Truckyard in Dallas has employed a similar theme at their site, achieving a lot of popularity as a result. The use of repurposed materials creates an eclectic, laid back and ecofriendly atmosphere. The stage, seating area, and children’s free play area could all be constructed using repurposed materials. Furthermore, like the Truckyard in Dallas, the Hollis site could benefit from coming up with an edgy name and logo for the new park. “The Boundary” is an idea for such a name that we came up with. Having a catchy name and logo would also come in handy when promoting and advertising concert events.

Figure 14: Branding idea for the park.

Figure 15: Truckyard stage, Dallas TX.

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HOLLIS, HARMON COUNTY

Figure 16: Truckyard, Dallas TX.

Figure 17: Truckyard, Plano TX (second location).

LONE WOLF (KIOWA COUNTY)

LONE WOLF CITY PARK

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LONE WOLF 399

POPULATION (2019 EST.)

- 8.9%

POPULATION CHANGE (2010 - 2019)

$47,750

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME (KIOWA COUNTY: $38,019)

DIVERSITY

FACTS 0.7%

12.6%

BLACK

2.6%

NATIVE AMERICAN

HISPANIC

• Approximately 5

miles Northeast from Quartz Mountain State Park;

• Home of professional football player Dale Meinert ;

• Host of the Kiowa Tribes yearly powwow.

81.6%

WHITE

Quality Communities Parks Workshop | 35

SITE INFORMATION Lone Wolf is seeking to create a “billboard” to enhance community pride and create a place where families can meet by improving the Lone Wolf City Park. They would also like to create a space where children can play and discover nature. There is also a desire to slow the speed of traffic through downtown and in front of the park for safety concerns as well as giving motorists a chance to see what Lone Wolf has to offer.

36 |

LONE WOLF, KIOWA COUNTY

CASE STATEMENT Lone Wolf, located in Kiowa County, is situated off Oklahoma State Highway 9 and Oklahoma State Highway 44. Highway 9 serves as the town’s Main Street.

The town is approximately 5 miles from the Quartz Mountain State Park and Lake Altus-Lugert; a Southwestern Oklahoma sanctuary featuring outdoor activities like boating and other watersports, bouldering, and hiking. The town was founded in 1901 when the tribes were moved to a Kiowa-ComancheApache Reservation in the southwestern Oklahoma along the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. The town was named after Chief Guipago (Lone Wolf ) of the Kiowa tribe. Lone Wolf is the home of La Vern E. Weber; a United States Army officer who served as Adjutant General of Oklahoma, Director of the Army National Guard and Chief of the National Guard Bureau. He was the first National Guard Bureau (NGB) Chief to hold the rank of lieutenant general.

The town is also home of pro football player Dale Meinert, who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals/St. Louis Cardinals. Meinert was also a three-time pro-bowl player at middle linebacker.

Lone Wolf Public School has approximately100 students ranging from K-12 grade. Lastly, Lone Wolf is the home of the GI Joe repair shop and Larry West Memorial located along the Main Street.

The Lone Wolf City Park encompasses approximately 2.8 acres and is located on Main Street (Highway 9). The park features some older playground equipment including a swing set and slide. About three blocks from the park the Lone Wolf Public School offers a larger quantity of playground equipment. Water and electrical hook-ups are available on site due to the fact it used to house RVs. In the past the park has hosted many events including an annual powwow hosted by the Kiowa Tribe, Trunk or Treat during Halloween, and a Christmas celebration. The residents of the town have expressed interest in adding nature playground equipment, a walking path, more trees, topography, restrooms, drinking fountains, water activities, and planting beds. The local garden club and others have pledged their assistance in planting and maintenance.

Upon our visit to Lone Wolf City Park on March 9, 2021, the team spoke to the community stakeholders where we discussed on the current assets, challenges, goals and needs of the park.

CURRENT ASSETS

• The adjacent Highway 9 along the site gives a potential gateway into the town;

• The Annual Pow Wow Event; • Site’s connection to the school and the main street gives an opportunity to brand the city;

• The school is the major economic employer of town.

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LONE WOLF, KIOWA COUNTY

CHALLENGES

• The creek flowing east of site creates flooding issues, as the site recently experienced the 100-year flooding;

• Weathered pavilion; • Existing seating within the site is in poor condition and does • • • • •

not accommodate all age groups; Lack of buffer leads to strong winds; Lack of allocated parking space; The power line running through the site; Lack of sidewalks; Basic facilities such as bathroom, water fountain are not available within the site.

COMMUNITY INPUT We received ten survey responses from Lone Wolf.

The responses that we received about the current positive attributes, negative attributes, and future wishes have been assembled into a word cloud.

KEY DESIGN GOALS • • • • • • • •

A place for family gatherings; Park development and potential to brand the town; Control the traffic flow along the highway; Design a park for all user groups; Plan the park development in phases- starting with spaces for little kids; Allocate parking access within the site; Plan spaces to accommodate events such as annual Pow Wow; Incorporate some water-based activity for the children of the community.

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LONE WOLF, KIOWA COUNTY

RECOMMENDATIONS NATURE PLAY AREA One desire expressed by the community stakeholders was to create a park encouraging participation from all user groups. Due to funding limitations, they wanted park development in phases, and the first thing they wished was to incorporate a play area for the kids. So, we have proposed a nature play area that will allow the kids and the parents to interact with nature.

Nature play areas may also include traditional playground equipment in natural settings.

The nature play area will have some fallen down tree barks, tree cookies, etc. which are natural play equipment and cost-effective compared to traditional playground equipment. In addition to that, the community members also talked about incorporating an easy-to-maintain, water-based activity for the kids. Due to the hot weather and lack of shading in the site, a play area with water-based activity and some trees for shading can be an effective way to get the kids out in the parks, where they can have a space to cool down during hot days. For the water-based activities, we can consider using manual water pumps using the water from the creek. The nature play area can also be utilized by the school for STEM class experiments. Along with that, we have proposed man-made hills within the site, that the kids can use to play/roll down hills. For example, the hills in Scissortail Park, Oklahoma City.

Figure 1: Kid’s nature play area.

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LONE WOLF, KIOWA COUNTY

Figure 2: Kid’s nature play area (hills)

Figure 3: Water pump play area.

Rain pump play equipment: https://goric.com/all-products/ farm-pump/

Figure 4: Water pump play area (stone sculpture)

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LONE WOLF, KIOWA COUNTY

FLOOD MITIGATION AND RESTORATION OF NATURAL HABITAT One of the challenges that the site faces is seasonal flooding. So, we have proposed a rain garden within the site that will help mitigate the flooding, as well as retain the natural habitat such as snakes/animals found around the town. Along with the rain garden, placing a prairie garden will allow preserving existing flora and fauna found in the area. Also, the prairie garden will have an information board that can give information on the different types of plants in the garden. During our meeting with the community stakeholders, they expressed that the local Gardening Club is willing to assist in planting and maintenance within the park.

Figure 5: Rain Garden

Figure 6: Prairie Garden

NATURE TRAILS Another need expressed by the community members is to have a walking trail in the park. The town seemed to have limited walking spaces surrounding nature, and the site of the park had undefined sidewalks. So, adding nature walking trails can be a major attraction to all age users to the park. The park includes a walking trail circulating and connecting different spaces within the park.

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OPEN SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE EVENTS One of the significant events held in lone wolf is the annual pow-wow, organized by the Kiowa Tribe. It is an annual event celebrated featuring Native American events, dances, parades, and ceremonies all day. An open space has been proposed to accommodate the different events in lone wolf town.

Alongside the open space, we have proposed to place man-made hills that can be utilized for seating during events or stage whenever required.

Figure 7: Hills - seating and topography.

BRANDING OPTIONS One of the initial proposals for Lone Wolf City Park was to create a “billboard” feature to enhance the community pride and bring together the families. The Park development creates an opportunity to bring that desire to fruition. A well-developed park right next to the highway will allow the passersby to have a visual connection to the site. Along with that, installing wayfinding boards displaying the layout of the town, showing connectivity amongst the park, the main street, the memorial garden along the downtown, and the school will help any new visitors to the town get familiar to the town. The existing flagpole is the best suitable location to place the wayfinding board.

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CONCEPTUAL LAYOUT The Lone Wolf City Park is approximately 2.8 acres and holds a lot of potential for park development and is located alongside the Main Street/Highway 9.

The city representatives expressed their desire to create a park for families to come together, an area for kids to play, and build a branding of the town. So, we have recommended spaces such as an open area to accommodate events, a nature play area for the kids, a prairie garden, a rain garden, hill/mounds, a picnic area for family get-togethers, a walking trail, and parking. Other than proposing new spaces, we have considered utilizing the existing amenities of the site such as the flagpole area, and the bridge over the creek on the east of the site.

The proposed site layout shows the placement of different spaces. An open space is placed along the highway 9/main street, accommodating the special events taking place in the town, and give a visual connection to the site from the road. The nature play area and the prairie garden are placed north of the site at a safer distance away from the road traffic. Two hills are placed centrally without obstructing the existing power lines in the park. These hills will add an attractive topography to the site, accommodate seating during events, and high ground for kids to play. The proposed hills do not require to be very high, a decent size of 7-8 feet seems feasible and doable. A rain garden and prairie garden have been placed on the east side of the park along the existing creek.

The rain garden and the prairie garden can help mitigate the seasonal flooding and retain the natural habitat around the park. As the community stakeholders expressed to add a walking trail in the park, a walking trail has been proposed connecting all the proposed spaces in the park. Another important goal of the Lone Wolf community members was to create a connection between the park, the main street, and the school. We have proposed adding a wayfinding board in the existing flagpole location. Parking has been proposed along the west of the site, which is also the most likely entrance.

Figure 8 and 9: Bubble diagrams showing alternative in developments.

Figure 10: Conceptual layout plan.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Nature Play Area​ Prairie Garden​ Picnic Area​ Rain Garden​ Hill​ 5a. Hill Towards Nature Play Area​ 5b. Hill Towards Open Space​

6. Extended Bridge​ 7. Flagpole​ 8. Open Space​ 9. Memorial Wall​ 10. Proposed Bathroom Location​

11. Proposed Parking

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LONE WOLF, KIOWA COUNTY

Figure 11: View from southeast corner of the park looking northwest.

Figure 12: Nature play area.

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Figure 13: Walking trail.

Figure 14: Prairie garden.

Figure 15: Raingarden.

STROUD

(CREEK AND LINCOLN COUNTIES)

FOSTER PARK

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STROUD 2,714

POPULATION (2019)

+ 0.3%

POPULATION CHANGE (2010 - 2019)

$45,292

MEDIAN HOUSE INCOME (CREEK COUNTY: $51,318 / LINCOLN COUNTY: $50,671)

DIVERSITY 4.9%

8.4%

FACTS 1%

BLACK

HISPANIC

0.8%

• Prior to 1907 the city was

ASIAN

infamous as one of Oklahoma Territory’s notorious “whiskey towns”. But the Oklahoma Statehood forced the town “dry”.

NATIVE AMERICAN

• Winery and Grape Capital of Oklahoma.

• Keystone Pipeline passes directly through area.

81.8%

WHITE

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SITE INFORMATION Foster Park is owned and maintained by the City of Stroud and was first developed in the 1950’s.

Since then, the park has been slowly added to and now boasts a wide and impressive array of amenities. Although economically responsible, this pattern of development has left Foster Park without a cohesive feel and appearance, which is exactly what prompted city leaders to seek outside guidance. Foster Park is a valuable asset, located in the heart of the city that needs just a little help in order to take it to the next level.

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STROUD, CREEK AND LINCOLN COUNTIES

CASE STATEMENT Stroud is located in eastern Lincoln County. Situated at the intersection of State Highways 66 and 99, and one mile south of the midpoint of the Turner Turnpike between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Stroud was founded in 1892 with James Wrexel Stroud building a store and a post office at his home.

His house is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The early economy of Stroud was built around cotton gins, cottonseed oil mill, and a stockyard. After 1936 the economy shifted to oilbased manufacturing.

Current community activities include an annual city-wide garage sale in June, a Fourth of July celebration, and an annual Sac and Fox Powwow (also held in July). A strong nearby attraction is the Stroud Lake located three miles northeast of the city. The lake offers recreational opportunities and is home to the Wilderness Challenge Center, operated by the Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled.

The mission of the City of Stroud is to develop a culturally progressive, economically prosperous, and artistically vibrant community that cherishes its neighborhoods, businesses, citizens, and guests by promoting and safeguarding public’s health, safety, and welfare.

The city seeks a multi-use park accessible to any age and any physical ability, while improving the benefits provided to the community and honoring the city’s history. The city aims to transform the image of the park from one oriented around sports to one of a multi-use space, hosting community events and providing an immersive park experience within city limits.

On March 10, 2021, the team from IQC met with David Timmons and Robert Pearman from the City of Stroud. The team walked around the park and had a discussion about the past, present and future of Foster Park. What follows is an insight into that lively conversation.

The roughly 20 acres of land that constitutes Foster Park was once owned by the local Foster family and donated to the city in the 1950’s with one stipulation: that it be turned into a city park. Originally the park only consisted of a pond and a few pieces of playground equipment. Over the ensuing decades many amenities have been added to the park including: a swimming pool, baseball fields, covered pavilion, basketball courts, sand volleyball court, skate park, new playground equipment and restrooms.

The park has also hosted some community events, namely an annual Medieval Festival (which attracted around 100 people in 2019), a “Story Through the Park” adventure trail, local church picnics, and fishing competitions. Looking towards the future, the city representatives expressed a strong desire to be able to host more events at the park, utilizing and showcasing this valuable asset in the process.

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COMMUNITY INPUT We received four survey responses from Stroud.

The responses that we received about the current positive attributes, negative attributes, and future wishes have been assembled into a word cloud.

KEY DESIGN GOALS • • • • • • • •

Converting the street that wraps around and through the park into a one-way street; Adding a designated trail for walking and cycling; Constructing a stage of some sort for use during events; A fishing dock; A scenic spot for photo shoots; New water slide for the pool; Adult playground equipment; A cohesive design aesthetic to tie the whole park together.

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STROUD, CREEK AND LINCOLN COUNTIES

CIRCULATION PLAN One desire expressed by the representatives of Stroud was a defined walking trail. The main considerations for placement of the trail were: separation from vehicular pathways, ease of movement through the park and user experience.

Option 1 maintains the current vehicular loop through the park, while Option 2 splits the loop into two closed loop ends, one on the east side around the basketball courts and one on the west side around the picnic pavilion.

Figure 1: Option 1

Figure 2: Option 2

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TREE INVENTORY AND PLANT RECOMMENDATIONS During the site visit to Foster Park, it was quickly noted that the majority of the trees within the park were of a single species, Post Oak (Quercus stellata), all appearing to be about the same age as well. Post Oak is a native species to Oklahoma and thus an appropriate tree to see in this park. Post Oaks also have a lifespan of around 300 years, very strong wood and a very slow growth rate. However, the concern lies in how the feel of the park will change once these Post Oaks reach the end of their life. Our recommendation is to have a certified arborist conduct a survey of the trees within the park, focusing on age and overall health. Using this survey, the City of Stroud can then formulate a strategic plan of where and when new trees need to be planted in order to ensure there is no gap in tree canopy as these new trees fill in for the old ones.

In addition to canopy trees, accent trees could be planted to add seasonal and textural interest to the current plant palette. Provided is a list of site appropriate trees to consider for both categories.

Figure 3: Tree recommendations. Colors illustrate seasonal foliage.

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STROUD, CREEK AND LINCOLN COUNTIES

FISHING DOCK The community expressed great interesting in implementing a fishing dock (to take advantage of the pond) that can also be used as a scenic location for prom photos, engagements or other special memories. Some examples are shown below. A wood pavilion can be used as a frame to the view of the pond (Figure 4). Vertical elements and planting along the pathway create rhythm along the boardwalk before the user reaches the destination at the end (Figure 5). Other elements of interest that can be added are lighting (Figure 6) and fabrics (Figure 7). Also make sure to include railings in the pathway and on the dock.

Figure 4: Wood pavilion framing the view.

Figure 5: Lighting on the roof creates a mood for evening photography.

Figure 5: Vertical elements and planting leading to the pavilion.

Figure 6: Fabric adds movement and lightness.

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WAYFINDING AND BRANDING Foster Park is already a park with great amenities and lots of things to do: some areas have dense tree canopy and nice breezes for lunch breaks; some areas are more active with playground and sports; other areas are great for gathering and events, etc. We recommend branding those different areas as “rooms” within the site to make the users experience these different rooms, like moving through different zones of a theme park. The map below shows how this was achieved at The Gathering Place, in Tulsa. We also recommend creating colored maps and implementing signage to lead people to these rooms. As materials go, take advantage of the mid-century look of the existing entry sign.

Figure 7: Example of a themed map, showcasing different branded areas. The Gathering Place, Tulsa, OK.

Figure 8: Existing entry sign.

Figure 9: Wayfinding suggestion.

Figure 10: Wayfinding suggestion: maps and signs along the trails and rooms.

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STROUD, CREEK AND LINCOLN COUNTIES

PROGRAMMING AND MANAGEMENT Throughout the application and planning process, city representatives expressed a desire to transform Foster Park into a more inclusive and wellrounded park. Currently the park is utilized most regularly as a team sports venue, with other events taking place every now and then. In order to expand the scope and overall usage of the park we recommend creative programming to help activate the space. The sports fields could be used as venues for alternative sports leagues, such as kickball and bocce ball.

The skate park could be used as a canvas for an annual mural competition (perhaps open only to students), with the winners being allowed to paint their designs on the equipment. The open lawn space could be used to hold yoga in park events, outdoor art shows, or outdoor painting classes. These suggestions merely scratch the surface of what a space like Foster Park is capable of accommodating. A great space is nothing without strong, creative programming that caters to a wide range of users.

Figure 12: Senior arts class.

Figure 13: Kickball.

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STROUD, CREEK AND LINCOLN COUNTIES Figure 14: Skate park paint.

Figure 15: Outdoor art show.

Figure 16: Yoga park.

ADDITIONAL

RESOURCES

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BATHROOM SOLUTIONS Bathroom amenities within a park can range from non-existent to fully functional. The level of investment a city decides upon for its facilities will have to take into consideration the number and frequency of users, the types of activities and events that will occur within the park, budgetary constraints and the ability of the city to maintain the facilities. Production techniques have evolved such that prefabricated units are often cheaper and quicker to install than units built on site. A more in depth look into the benefits of prefabricated units can be found here: https://recmanagement.com/feature_print.php?fid=201409fe02

OPTION 1: PORTA POTTY Price Quote from ASAP Site Services (https://www.asapsiteservices.com) Price includes delivery, service twice a week, base tray and hand sanitizer dispenser.

Standard unit: monthly rate $518.67 ADA unit: monthly Rate $878.67 Pros: Cheap, movable, and serviced by a third party.

Cons: Susceptible to being knocked over, aesthetic eyesore, higher potential for foul odors.

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OPTION 2: WATERLESS VAULT FACILITY Price Quote from Public Restroom Company (https://www.publicrestroomcompany.com/ buildings/waterless-vault-sv-010/) $10,000 - $50,000 for a single or double stall unit (price includes all materials and installation).

Features: 1,000 gallon holding tank (must be pumped like a porta potty when full).

Pros: Does not require any utilities, more durable than porta potty, odorless.

Cons: Must be maintained by the city.

OPTION 3: FULLY FUNCTIONAL Price Quote provided by Green Flush Restrooms (https://greenflushrestrooms.com/utilities) Starting at $50,000 (single stall) (assuming water and sewer lines are available).

Starting at $63,000 (single stall) (assuming water line but no sewer line).

Price includes all materials and installation.

Pros: Highly Customizable, traditional bathroom experience with all utilities.

Cons: Most expensive option, must be maintained by the city.

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FUNDING & RESOURCES Park Revenues Many local communities charge users for use of local park facilities for events or league use. For example, based on a survey of parks in Edmond, Harrah, Choctaw, Yukon, a covered picnic pavilion can be rented $20 to $75 dollars per half day depending on size and amenities.

acquisition, 3) construction of new trails, 4) accessibility projects with disabled individuals and 5) development of trailhead and trailside facilities. https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ otrd-nfs-trav/files/RTP-2020-ApplicationRevised-10-23-2019.pdf

Local Contributions Local contributions may come from a variety of sources. Check with local businesses, service providers, banks, utility providers, nearby auto dealerships, charitable foundations, etc. Don’t forget the value of in-kind contributions of materials, equipment, and labor from skilled local workers.

Transportation Alternatives Program Shelly Williams, PE Local Government Division Engineer Oklahoma Department of Transportation 200 NE 21st St Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3299 (405) 521-2454 slwilliams@odot.org

Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department Division of State Parks Susan Henry, Grant Administrator (405) 522-9521 susan.henry@travelok.com

The Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) provides federal funding for alternative transportation projects/programs.

As a federal program that provides funds up to 80% of total project costs with a 20% local match, the following alternative transportationrelated projects/programs are eligible of receiving federal funds: 1) sidewalks, 2) pedestrian/bicycle trails, 3) streetscapes, 4) safe routes to school and 5) environmental/ historic preservation projects. Projects outside of the Oklahoma City and Tulsa urbanized areas with a population under 5,000 are eligible to receive funds. https://oklahoma.gov/odot/businesscenter/local-government-resource-center/ transportation-alternatives-program-tap.html

The Division of State Parks distributes the federal funds for this grant. The grant reimburses up to 50% of expenses from projects that include acquisition of land and/or development of outdoor recreation facilities. Facilities might include sports facilities, playgrounds, campgrounds, trails, swimming facilities, splash pads, etc. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/lwcf/index.htm Recreational Trails Program (Same Contact Info as Above) The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federal aid program managed through the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). As a state-administered program, the RTP offers up to 80% of grant reimbursement for developing a recreational trail with a 20% local match. The following eligible projects for the RTP include: 1) trail maintenance and restoration, 2) land

Placemaking Grant The National Association of Realtors provides funds up to $5,000 for eligible parks, trails, and play/fitness areas projects. Applicants must coordinate with the local Realtor Association to apply. The placemaking grant offers up to two levels of funding. https://realtorparty.realtor/community-outreach/ placemaking

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TSET Healthy Incentive Grants - Communities grantsmanagement@tset.ok.gov Sponsored by Oklahoma’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, The TSET Healthy Incentive Grants for Communities provides funds to construct public facilities related to health and wellness. In efforts to promote physical activity opportunities and improve the quality of life among residents, eligible projects include 1) walking trails, 2) sports/recreational facilities, and 3) farmers market. https://tset.ok.gov/content/healthycommunities-incentive-grants grantsmanagement@tset.ok.gov AARP Community Challenge The AARP Community Challenge provides grants to fund public places and transportationrelated projects. Public places and transportationrelated projects include the following: 1) open spaces, 2) parks, and 3) bike/walk mobility. https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/ community-challenge/info-2021/2021-challenge. html OGE Energy Corp. Foundation Grants The OGE Energy Corp. Foundation provides funding to 501(c)(3) charities for projects related to enhancing the quality of life and economic wellbeing. Capital improvements costs are ineligible, but this program provides support to park programming. To be eligible, the community must reside within OGE operation areas.

Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) Matthew Weaver (405) 234-2264 REAP Grants are authorized by the Oklahoma Legislature for funding small, rural communities with less than 7,000 in population. ACOG manages the distribution of these funds in central Oklahoma. Grants do not require a local match and can be used for various public projects, including transportation and community buildings. http://www.acogok.org/economic-development/ reap/

Oklahoma Parks & Recreation Society ed@orps.us (405) 780-2345 The Oklahoma Parks & Recreation Society is an organization for professionals who are engaged in parks and recreation. Members include 1) government staff at all levels, 2) nonprofits, and 3) vendors who sell park equipment or materials. OPRS has an annual conference in the fall that includes a vendor and trade show where attendees can chat with park vendors. http://www.orps.us National Recreation and Parks Association The NRPA offers a variety of resources, including a certification program for professionals in the following areas: Certified Playground Safety Instructor Certified Park and Recreation Professional Certified Park and Recreation Executive https://www.nrpa.org/certification/

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BOOKS AND GUIDES Pathways for Play: Best Practices Guidelines naturalearning@ncsu.edu The Pathways for Play: Best Practices Guidelines provide a conceptual framework in planning/designing pathways for children, families, and communities. https://naturalearning.org/blog/2017/06/04/ pathways-for-play-best-practice-guidelines-2/

National Guidelines on Nature Play & Learning Places The National Guidelines on Nature Play & Learning Places provides a conceptual framework to create, manage and promote the development of nature-related activities of all ages within urban/suburban communities. https://natureplayandlearningplaces.org

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Routledge Handbook of Designing Public Spaces for Young People: Processes, Practices and Policies for Youth Inclusion The Routledge Handbook of Designing Public Spaces for Young People provides a resource for those wish to influence policy and design decisions in public spaces.

Besides the physical book, the website made available the main takeaways from the book for free. Click on the “Support Material” tab and download the zip files. https://www.routledge.com/The-RoutledgeHandbook-of-Designing-Public-Spaces-forYoung-People-Processes/Loebach-Little-CoxOwens/p/book/9781138584921#

NatureGrounds Guidebook: Putting Nature Into Play The NatureGrounds Guidebook provides the best practices of creating/retrofitting playground environments for children of all ages. https://www.playandpark.com/naturegroundsguidebook

Report prepared by: OU Institute for Quality Communities OU Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture 830 Van Vleet Oval - Gould Hall 165 Norman, Oklahoma 73019