Work on the Sooner Park parking lots and ring road began on Monday, which resulted in closures on the south end of the park. Contractor Brent Bell Construction started construction on the project this week. The first phase of the work will begin near the play tower and Sooner Pool, which required closures beginning immediately in this area.
The project, approved by voters in the 2020 General Obligation Bond election, consists of reconstructing portions of the ring road that loops around the pool and play tower as well as paving parking lots in the park. The new road will permit two-way traffic instead of one-way, as it does currently.
The road will be permanently closed east of the pool, with the northeastern portion of the road becoming bicycle and pedestrian only. The parking area near the play tower will be reconfigured with an increase in available parking.
This is one of several park improvements included in the overall project. Other improvements included, in the tentative order of construction, are:
- Sooner Park play tower and pool area
- Sooner Park roadway and parking at north edge of park (includes roadway from Madison Boulevard to Adams Golf Course)
- Jo Allyn Lowe Park
- Lyon Park
- Johnstone Park