More than half of Tulsa’s residents can walk 10 minutes and be at a park, according to Tulsa’s ParkScore Index. But depending on where you live, that access varies.
Flyer readers loved our story about tree equity and how various neighborhoods around Tulsa rank differently. Trust of Public Land, a national nonprofit advocating for public access to outdoors, has something similar — but for parks.
The ParkScore Index ranks 100 of the nation’s largest cities on park equity, access, investment, amenities and acreage. Tulsa ranked 63rd overall, getting its highest marks for park equity and lowest in park investment. See if your neighborhood is 10 minutes from a park here.
Key takeaways
- 64% of Tulsa residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park.
- Neighborhoods in south and east Tulsa tend to be farther from parks than in north and west Tulsa. But local leaders say upkeep at city parks is another story.
- There are fewer high-income residents who live within a 10-minute walk of a park, compared to lower and middle income.
- Around $75 per person is invested into Tulsa’s parks, including both public and private funding.
- Tulsa ranks in the top 10 cities for most pickleball courts (there are 63). It’s ranked toward the bottom for dog parks (there are only three, but read this story for a guide to other dog-friendly spaces in town).
In what may be a surprise to some, Tulsa parks director Anna America says south and east Tulsa are the city’s most poorly served areas when it comes to park access. She thinks that’s because parks were less of a priority when the city expanded.
Big green spaces, like Mohawk Park in north Tulsa and the Gilcrease Museum in west Tulsa, help improve park access in those parts of town. The further south and east you go, the parks are smaller and scattered.
The condition of Tulsa’s parks is nowhere near what America wants. Some have fallen into disrepair, which she says could be fixed with more funding.
While America would love to see more parks investment in underserved neighborhoods, she says that has to wait.
“We can’t just build things, we have to take care of them,” she said.
There are also fewer high-income residents who live within a 10-minute walk of a park. But, America adds, those residents are also more likely to have green spaces at home or a membership to various outdoor amenities.
“We have need everywhere, and I don’t care what your income is, you still should have access to good parks,” America said. “Public parks are a basic right.”
Tulsa ranks at the bottom for investment, with the ParkScore Index reporting around $75 per person going toward parks, including public and private funding. When you strip away private dollars, the city falls near the bottom of the list at 97th out of 99 cities.
Improve Our Tulsa funds are being used to support new amenities at parks. Fred Johnson Park off 61st Street and Riverside Drive is getting a new walking trail, a covered basketball court, four pickleball courts with shade shelters, a splash pad, a new playground for all ages, skate features and a dog park. There are only three dog parks in Tulsa right now, with another under construction downtown.
Skylar Fuller lives near Johnson Park and goes almost every day. She doesn’t think a dog park is a great idea because of all the kids who come out to play. She’s a teenager herself and often finds others playing basketball.
“It’s pretty boring around here, so it’s nice to have this little space,” she said.
Many city councilors opted to use Improve Our Tulsa funds on parks and trails. America pointed to Flat Rock Creek Trail in Councilor Vanessa Hall Harper’s district in north Tulsa and how Councilor Christian Bengel plans to use his allocated money toward park improvements in east Tulsa.
America says this is a “very strong park-supporting council” and thinks they’d be receptive to residents who want a park closer to their neighborhood. Residents can donate or volunteer at a park by emailing TulsaParks@cityoftulsa.org.
This story has been updated to include more details about Johnson Park’s rehabilitation project.
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