http://www.tulsaworld.com/community/article.aspx?articleID=20080109_9_ZM1_hSetb87647
Another project setback due to the ice storm.
Am looking forward to seeing what the upgrades look like.
Any word on if and when QT is going to do its park near 41st?
I know it's a separate project, but last time I was in town I ran the Midland Valley extension and it was gorgeous. The IDL right-of-way was a perfect compromise, because you run right along the edge of downtown. The trail itself seems well built as well. I'm a huge fan of the trail system in Tulsa--it's one of our major assets, and this latest River Parks project will only improve the system.
The first 1-mile section will reopen to pedestrians today, although there is still a lot of work to be done.
(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2008/200802_A1_hMost85612_a1trails126.jpg)
(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2008/200802_A1_hMost85612_a1trail226.jpg)
quote:
River Parks trail section to be open
by: P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
2/26/2008 12:00 AM
Most of the construction on the one-mile segment has been completed.
The first one-mile stretch of River Parks trail improvements, from 21st Street to the Pedestrian Bridge, will open Tuesday.
It finally became warm enough Monday for the rest of the asphalt to be installed on the trail path, said Keith Franklin, the president of LandPlan Consultants, which is overseeing the work.
Although the stretch of trail will be open, users will still need to be cautious because of other construction in that area, he said. That includes irrigation, lighting, laying of decorative concrete and installation of benches, trash cans and other trail amenities, he said.
Work began last week on the second mile stretch, between 11th and 21st streets.
Franklin said that work should go much more easily because the section has no retaining walls, storm-sewer facilities or narrow terrain.
While that portion of the trail is closed, walkers and joggers will have to take to the grass.
The pedestrian ramp on the east side of the 21st Street Bridge also will be closed.
The improvements are part of a $15 million River Parks project that ultimately will enlarge and enhance the trail from 11th to 71st streets along both banks of the river.
The plan is to create a dual trail system to ease congestion for pedestrians and cyclists.
In areas where the terrain is too narrow for dual trails, the path will be widened to between 18 feet and 20 feet wide.
Where room allows, the trail will split into separate 10-foot-wide paths, with the existing route reserved for bicyclists.
The George Kaiser Family Foundation donated $12.4 million for trail improvements, and the city will add $2.6 million in third-penny sales-tax funds allocated to River Parks trail improvements.
The goal is to have the first two miles -- 11th to 31st streets -- completed by June in time for the Tulsa Tough cycling event.
Crossland Heavy Contractors is doing the work from 11th to 41st streets.
Anchor Stone Co. donated some of the materials for the trail, and SemGroup donated material and expertise for the microsurfacing, a material created by SemMaterials.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080226_1_A1_hMost85612
I thought that half the trail was supposed to be gravel/chat for walkers and joggers. My knees (and low back) complain when I walk on hard surfaces. What's the deal? From what I've seen, and what this picture shows, it seems to be all asphalt! One of the best things about the river was having the option of walking on a chat trail.
quote:
Originally posted by PonderInc
I thought that half the trail was supposed to be gravel/chat for walkers and joggers. My knees (and low back) complain when I walk on hard surfaces. What's the deal? From what I've seen, and what this picture shows, it seems to be all asphalt! One of the best things about the river was having the option of walking on a chat trail.
I'm of the opposite opinion. Chat takes more work to get the same distance, not to mention there is a degree of lateral movement not seen on hard surfaces that could effect knees and ankles.
Maybe we can pool some money and buy you better shoes : )
From the photo on the front page it looks as though the trail is curbed. It seems to me that if someone on a bike were to have to avoid hitting someone or something on the path, the curb might cause them to wreck. Also, what about puddling in rain? If there are curbs, are there storm drains, too?
I thought that too. But it is not curbed, the asphalt is flush to the concrete. I walked it on Sunday. Curbs are bad. LOL.
I believe they used concrete non-curbs to keep the edges from flaking off over time.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
I believe they used concrete non-curbs to keep the edges from flaking off over time.
Like every other public works project managed by the City of Tulsa, the trail widening is taking FOREVER.
Wonder WHY?
quote:
Originally posted by Friendly Bear
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
I believe they used concrete non-curbs to keep the edges from flaking off over time.
Like every other public works project managed by the City of Tulsa, the trail widening is taking FOREVER.
Wonder WHY?
Hey FB, I have a new rope...
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by Friendly Bear
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
I believe they used concrete non-curbs to keep the edges from flaking off over time.
Like every other public works project managed by the City of Tulsa, the trail widening is taking FOREVER.
Wonder WHY?
Hey FB, I have a new rope...
I'm not blaming the Kaiser Family Foundation.
I'm THANKING them. And, the other Patrons, too, like Anchor Stone and SemGroup.
It just seems the city Publik Werkes can't get something as simple as combined bike and pedestrian trails built in anything less than a year........
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by PonderInc
I thought that half the trail was supposed to be gravel/chat for walkers and joggers. My knees (and low back) complain when I walk on hard surfaces. What's the deal? From what I've seen, and what this picture shows, it seems to be all asphalt! One of the best things about the river was having the option of walking on a chat trail.
I'm of the opposite opinion. Chat takes more work to get the same distance, not to mention there is a degree of lateral movement not seen on hard surfaces that could effect knees and ankles.
Maybe we can pool some money and buy you better shoes : )
I agree that good shoes are important (oh, and by the way, thanks for your kind offer...we'll settle offline...[:)]) but I'm pretty sure that all the literature says that concrete is the hardest on your body, followed by asphalt. Certainly large gravel is hard to walk on, but small chat is considered one of the better options (I guess running on a high school track would be the best...but soooooo boring!).
There's a reason why there's always a beaten path in the dirt next to asphalt running trails...all the old runners and aging baby boomers have learned the hard way about what's best for their knees.
quote:
Originally posted by Friendly Bear
I'm not blaming the Kaiser Family Foundation.
I'm THANKING them. And, the other Patrons, too, like Anchor Stone and SemGroup.
It just seems the city Publik Werkes can't get something as simple as combined bike and pedestrian trails built in anything less than a year........
I think they had some pretty good reasons, and this is likely a bit of a backburner project.
quote:
Originally posted by Floyd
I know it's a separate project, but last time I was in town I ran the Midland Valley extension and it was gorgeous. The IDL right-of-way was a perfect compromise, because you run right along the edge of downtown. The trail itself seems well built as well. I'm a huge fan of the trail system in Tulsa--it's one of our major assets, and this latest River Parks project will only improve the system.
That's good to know. Isn't this the trail that starts at Maple Park? (always looking for something new to run)
Speaking of trails...I was running the west side of the river last week and noted that the trail will be extended south of 61st...eventually hooking up with Turkey Mountain. It's being graded now...but you can still run it.
I'll bet they nixed the chat part in this particularly narrow section...
quote:
Originally posted by charky
quote:
Originally posted by Floyd
I know it's a separate project, but last time I was in town I ran the Midland Valley extension and it was gorgeous. The IDL right-of-way was a perfect compromise, because you run right along the edge of downtown. The trail itself seems well built as well. I'm a huge fan of the trail system in Tulsa--it's one of our major assets, and this latest River Parks project will only improve the system.
That's good to know. Isn't this the trail that starts at Maple Park? (always looking for something new to run)
Speaking of trails...I was running the west side of the river last week and noted that the trail will be extended south of 61st...eventually hooking up with Turkey Mountain. It's being graded now...but you can still run it.
It does run from Maple Park to downtown, but it's actually a continuation of the trail that extends from the Pedestrian Bridge through Maple Ridge to 18th & Boston.
quote:
Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE
It does run from Maple Park to downtown, but it's actually a continuation of the trail that extends from the Pedestrian Bridge through Maple Ridge to 18th & Boston.
Just ran the Midland Valley extension this morning. Awesome! I started from the 31st/Riverside parking lot. Best I could tell...the trail ended at 3rd and Madison...I couldn't see an obvious extension from there. It runs right by Central Park...and you can easily peel off and run around the lake if you wish. For you runners...I measure just short of 6 miles from the 31st parking lot to 3rd/Madison and back.
I also went across Riverside and ran the new trail. As a poster said above...it does have a concrete curb...but the asphalt path is flush. And the new path is very wide...easily 3 maybe 4 times wider than the old path.
New lighting will be going up as well.
This is good stuff.
The new stretch is starting to look nice (At least it will once all of the grass and trees are grown and green in the spring)
One problem I noticed though is the trail being so elevated yet so close to the road at one point. Someone could trip or fall off their bike directly infront of traffic, with fatal results. Maybe I'm paranoid?
quote:
Originally posted by YoungTulsan
The new stretch is starting to look nice (At least it will once all of the grass and trees are grown and green in the spring)
One problem I noticed though is the trail being so elevated yet so close to the road at one point. Someone could trip or fall off their bike directly infront of traffic, with fatal results. Maybe I'm paranoid?
The area closest to the road has a wall to prevent such an occurrence. Here's a picture I snapped yesterday:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/2298120975_f04ff7df4a_o.jpg)
Look further down, thats where Im talking about
quote:
Originally posted by charky
quote:
Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE
It does run from Maple Park to downtown, but it's actually a continuation of the trail that extends from the Pedestrian Bridge through Maple Ridge to 18th & Boston.
Just ran the Midland Valley extension this morning. Awesome! I started from the 31st/Riverside parking lot. Best I could tell...the trail ended at 3rd and Madison...I couldn't see an obvious extension from there. It runs right by Central Park...and you can easily peel off and run around the lake if you wish. For you runners...I measure just short of 6 miles from the 31st parking lot to 3rd/Madison and back.
I also went across Riverside and ran the new trail. As a poster said above...it does have a concrete curb...but the asphalt path is flush. And the new path is very wide...easily 3 maybe 4 times wider than the old path.
New lighting will be going up as well.
This is good stuff.
Cool!
Once you get to 3rd & Madison, I think the idea is to turn left on 3rd toward downtown, go 4 blocks and turn north on Greenwood. Once you get north of OSU-Tulsa you can hook into the Osage Trail and go a loooong ways if you want.
The Midland Valley extension is a real plus for cyclists who want to ride into downtown.
quote:
Originally posted by YoungTulsan
Look further down, thats where Im talking about
Further down is walled off too, all the way under the bridge. On the other side of the bridge there is currently no trail to fall off.
quote:
Originally posted by sgrizzle
quote:
Originally posted by YoungTulsan
Look further down, thats where Im talking about
Further down is walled off too, all the way under the bridge. On the other side of the bridge there is currently no trail to fall off.
Further down in your pic, there looks like a blue barrel or something (could be a porta-crapper, cant tell) - Im talking down that way.
quote:
Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE
Once you get north of OSU-Tulsa you can hook into the Osage Trail and go a loooong ways if you want.
The Midland Valley extension is a real plus for cyclists who want to ride into downtown.
Yeah, I once road my bike from where the trail ends, in Skiatook, through downtown, down Riverside and all the way across to 81st & 129th E. Ave.
That was a long ride. [xx(]
quote:
Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE
Cool!
Once you get to 3rd & Madison, I think the idea is to turn left on 3rd toward downtown, go 4 blocks and turn north on Greenwood. Once you get north of OSU-Tulsa you can hook into the Osage Trail and go a loooong ways if you want.
The Midland Valley extension is a real plus for cyclists who want to ride into downtown.
Thanks. Maybe some signage at 3rd and Madison will help. Anyway...the trail system is fantastic and I'm always thrilled to try a new path.
quote:
Originally posted by PonderInc
I thought that half the trail was supposed to be gravel/chat for walkers and joggers. My knees (and low back) complain when I walk on hard surfaces. What's the deal? From what I've seen, and what this picture shows, it seems to be all asphalt! One of the best things about the river was having the option of walking on a chat trail.
I hope it's NOT gravel I don't like running on gravel or dirt. After a rain it's muddy and it turns into ankle busting pot holes. I like the jogging trails to be paved and wide. The pictures look great, but I thought they were going to build two trails one for us joggers and other one for bikes? I live in Ohio but I'm in Oklahoma alot and I run on the RiverSide jogging trail offten. I hope they finish it before my next visit to Tulsa in May.[:P]
I think it would be great if they would make the trail longer on the south end past 101st street, just follow the river's right of way. They also should run a full trail on the west bank of the river. (As far as I know the RiverSide jogging trail ends at the Creek TurnPike Trail).[}:)][:P]
Does anyone know what they plan to do with the mile markers? Will they install new ones starting at downtown? Will the parking areas be improved too? This is very exciting news for Tulsa.[:)]
quote:
Originally posted by sauerkraut
The pictures look great, but I thought they were going to build two trails one for us joggers and other one for bikes?
In places where the Park is wide enough, there are two, completely separate, 10-foot-wide trails. In the more narrow sections of the park, it's a single, 20-foot-wide section.
Just ran the new path this past week. I love the stone walls and its quite smooth and pretty but...its just like running on a paved street. Hard. Two things come to mind. Its very wide and appears to be designed for bikers. They will rule and be quite fast. And the lack of a choice of a crushed rock surface along with a paved surface ignores the runners who long have preferred the soft crushed rock. Don't tell me maintenance was a concern because the last crushed rock path lasted some 25+ years and was doing well. The informal cross country paths that ran closer to the river are now gone (paved over I think). The stretch from the pedestrian bridge is not that scenic anymore and noisy because of Riverside. Reminds me of the stretch along the Creek Expwy. I'm going to the west side.
Good news for the future though. Its wide enough and well enough constructed it could serve as an expansion of Riverside Dr.!
quote:
Originally posted by waterboy
Just ran the new path this past week. I love the stone walls and its quite smooth and pretty but...its just like running on a paved street. Hard. Two things come to mind. Its very wide and appears to be designed for bikers. They will rule and be quite fast. And the lack of a choice of a crushed rock surface along with a paved surface ignores the runners who long have preferred the soft crushed rock. Don't tell me maintenance was a concern because the last crushed rock path lasted some 25+ years and was doing well. The informal cross country paths that ran closer to the river are now gone (paved over I think). The stretch from the pedestrian bridge is not that scenic anymore and noisy because of Riverside. Reminds me of the stretch along the Creek Expwy. I'm going to the west side.
Good news for the future though. Its wide enough and well enough constructed it could serve as an expansion of Riverside Dr.!
I like to run on flat paved surfaces I don't like crushed rock or running on grass it twists my ankle many ways and crushed rock gets muddy in rain. I use good running shoes and like paved surfaces. It's too bad so much of the new trail is so close to the street and car traffic and car exaust fumes. The old trail was in bad shape it was crumbling and narrow and falling apart. I'm surprised private money is being used, most places build jogging trails with city or state funds. The federal gov't now gives out money to states/cities to build jogging/Bike trails. Indianapolis is building a nice network of jogging/Bike trails you can see them by googling "Indy greenways" or check out this link...http://www.indygreenways.org/monon/monon.htm Another link http://www.indygreenways.org/whiteriver/whiteriver.htm
I went by today and the area that looks close to the street is still 8-10 feet away from the far edge. So if you're accident prone and 9ft tall, don't run down the edge.
I guess they will mark the paths at some point as to which is which because I saw walkers and runners on both paths.
I am interested to see what kind of lighting and landscaping they put in. That could make it look really nice. All in all a great project so far. Would like to see some of the underbrush and such cleared out in a lot of areas on the East side further down. Leave the nature preserve parts alone, but get rid of a few scraggly little trees, broken branches, vines, etc. so you can see down to the river a bit better. The trees that remain will grow healthier and broader if they are thinned out a bit and plant some native wildflowers and grasses underneath. Heck I would get out there and clean out some of the underbrush myself if It were ok to do so?