Johnstone Park Pavilion opens to public

The long-awaited Johnstone Park Pavilion is now available for events and rental as City of Bartlesville crews and contractors wrap up the first two phases of the multi-phase project.

The City Council recently unanimously approved a resolution setting the rental rate for the pavilion at $25 for a two-hour minimum and $10 for every hour after, putting the final piece in place for the public to use the facility.

The pavilion  is open to the public — in addition to the shelter and band shell/amphitheater at Sooner Park and the shelters at Johnstone Park — and is also available for rent on a first come, first served basis.

Funding for the Johnstone Park Pavilion project comes from the Community Development Block Grant Small Cities Set-Aside Program and matching funds from the City of Bartlesville. Improvements to this park are being made to encourage economic development in the West Bartlesville Redevelopment area. This area includes Census Tracts 2, 3, and 9. The City hopes to improve west Bartlesville’s primary park to benefit the low to moderate income residents of Bartlesville.

While the pavilion is available for public use immediately, work will continue to develop this site as Phase 2 of the project concludes and preparations are made to begin Phase 3, according to Director of Engineering Micah Siemers.

“We will be completing the rock work around the restroom and moving ahead with Phase 3 of the project,” Siemers said. “The third phase includes the remaining concrete work around the perimeter of the pavilion, a new brick plaza to the south of the pavilion, and a perimeter sidewalk along Cherokee, Hensley, Osage and First Street that will tie to the plaza and pavilion paving.”

Siemers said if funds allow, Phase 3 “may also include some lighting and other decorative features for the plaza area.”

The pavilion and all other City of Bartlesville park facilities are available for rental each day between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

To check the availability of the pavilion or any other park facility, call 918.338.4226. Payment is required to reserve a facility, and must be made on the first floor of City Hall, 401 S. Johnstone Ave. At this time, payment may not be made over the phone or online.