In an unprecedented move last year, Bartlesville voters said “Yes” to allocating roughly half of the 2018 General Obligation Bond funding to make improvements to City-owned parks and recreation facilities.
As a result, several park projects have gotten underway in the past year and are in various stages of completion, according to Community Development Director Lisa Beeman.
“There are a number of park projects that are under construction at this time, thanks to forward-thinking voters who understand quality of life projects are important to the growth and well-being of the community,” Beeman said. “Without funding from the 2018 G.O. Bond Election and other elections, we would not be able to make these types of improvements to our City parks.”
Johnstone Park/Kiddie Park
Notably among the projects underway is the combination of several smaller projects aimed at making improvements to Johnstone Park — specifically, to Kiddie Park and the surrounding area.
Voters approved funding for a new decorative fence for Kiddie Park in the 2018 G.O. Bond Election, and additional funds from other funding sources, including the voter-approved half-cent Capital Improvement Projects fund and 2012 G.O. Bond Election, 
will be used to make other improvements near the park at the same time in an effort to maximize savings in manpower and other expenditures.
Work is underway to create 30 new parking spaces south of Kiddie Park, where the former Art Center was previously located. Director of Engineering Micah Siemers said the parking portion of the project should wrap up in the next few weeks, weather permitting.
“In addition to the installation of new perimeter fencing around Kiddie Park, a portion of which is decorative wrought iron fencing, the project also includes an entryway remodel and extending the Pathfinder trailhead to the east so it will connect with the trail system in Johnstone Park,” Siemers said.
“Contract crews will also mill and overlay the roadway around Kiddie Park, which will help improve safety in the area. That work is underway this week,” he said.
Also, the cannon housed in Johnstone Park recently underwent repairs due to rotting wood. The cannon was removed from the park for the repairs to be made but has been returned to the park, Siemers said.
Tower Center at Unity Square
Plans for the Tower Center at Unity Square, a $1.75 million community gathering space also approved by voters in last year’s G.O. Bond Election, are now 90 percent complete.
The space will be located between the Bartlesville Community Center and Price Tower and will include a stage for entertainment venues, sitting areas, improvements to the existing fountain and other amenities.
The City Council will likely be asked to consider approval of the structural plan during its regularly scheduled March 4 meeting. The space is on target for substantial completion by Oct. 31, weather permitting.
Daniels Fields
Daniels Fields, two adult soccer fields located north of Adams Boulevard near Lee Lake, also serves as the area’s first Cricket field. Beeman said lighting is in the process of being installed at the fields, which will make the complex the only lighted soccer fields in the city.
“This is a much anticipated project that should be completed near the end of this month,” Beeman said.
The cost of the lighting is $257,998. Funding is provided in the 2018 G.O. Bond fund.
Price Fields
The Price Fields Baseball/Softball Complex, located on Tuxedo Boulevard near Silver Lake Road, has been undergoing a multi-phase renovation project for several years that has resulted in the construction of new softball/baseball fields as well as upgrades to existing fields, parking improvements and the installation of a playground and concession facility.
The project is currently in Phase 3 of development, which will impact the center fields, Beeman said.
“Plans are approximately 20 percent complete for this phase,” she said. “We hope to let bids on the project in June of this year. Construction will take 12 months.”
Siemers adds that due to the construction schedule, “accessibility to these fields for the fall of 2019 will be limited.”
Voters approved $3.6 million in funding in the 2018 G.O. Bond Election for this phase of the renovation. Previous phases of the project included the construction of two new quads on the north end of the fields, parking upgrades, and the installation of a concession facility and playground equipment. Future phases could include street alignment, improved access into and out of the complex, emergency access to the complex, additional parking, restrooms and a playground. The project was recommended in the 2009 Park and Recreation Development Plan.
Sooner Park
Construction of a new shelter should get underway at Sooner Park later this year. Funding for the shelter was approved by voters in the 2012 G.O. Bond Election and was issued in 2017. The shelter will be located in the area where the previous playground was located. Older playground equipment in four City parks was sold recently for $13,300 to make way for new equipment in Sooner, Johnstone, Robinwood and Douglass parks.
Robinwood Park
Improvements to the restrooms at Robinwood Park, located near Silver Lake Road and Beck Drive, are planned for this spring. Funding for the project, $30,000, was approved in the 2012 G.O. Bond.
Civitan Park
The new 20-foot by 44-foot pavilion at Civitan Park, also known as “the dinosaur park,” is complete. A dedication was cancelled recently due to weather conditions but will be rescheduled soon.
The Bartlesville Uptown Civitan Club purchased the $29,000 shelter structure and donated it to the City for installation. In addition to purchasing the structure, the Club donated an additional $10,000 to go toward the installation cost and purchased the picnic tables under the pavilion.
Local contractor UrbanHaus and subcontractors Ron Griggs, Cramer Concrete, Harrison Drilling, Taggart Electric and Lance’s Landscape installed the pavilion, at a reduced cost of $30,775 by donating 30 percent of their labor costs.
“This was a true community project involving both local citizens, volunteers, and businesses,” Beeman said.
Lee Lake
Improvements at the lake, which is located north of Adams Boulevard and east of Silver Lake Road, include the purchase and installation of solar lighting around the walking/jogging path circling the lake. Funding is provided thanks to a $70,000 grant from State of Oklahoma Land and Water Conservation Fund and $30,000 in 2018 G.O. Bond funds. Installation of the lights will begin this summer, Beeman said.
Community skate park
Plans to construct a community skate park south of the Daniels Fields parking lot are approximately 65 percent complete, Beeman said. Design plans for the $350,000 project are being prepared pro bono by Ryan Crane of Ambler Architects. Beeman said the project will likely be let for bid this fall.
Pathfinder Parkway
Work has been underway to connect the existing trail located south of Eastland Shopping Center in the wake of several changes at the shopping center in recent years.
“This portion of the trail needs to be re-connected south of the shopping center due to the construction of Chick-Fil-A and other businesses at the center,” Beeman said.
The project is funded through a $132,700 grant provided through the Recreational Trails Program, which is a state-administered, federal aid program managed through the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Federal Highway Administration in consultation with the Department of the Interior.
Beeman said plans for the connection are 85 percent complete. The project will likely to go out to bid this summer.
Adams Golf Course
The City has contracted with United Golf LLC of Tulsa to replace the sand and subdrains in the green side bunkers at the City-owned golf course. The project also includes reshaping the bunkers, making some adjustments to the edges and adding a bunker liner under the new sand.
Funding sources for the project include the 2018 G.O. Bond Election, the 2018 Golf Course Memorial Fund and unallocated Capital Improvement Projects half-cent sales tax funds. Funds used from the half-cent sales tax fund will be replenished using funds from the 2019 Golf Course Memorial Fund once it becomes available after the Memorial Fund Tournament in June.
The total cost of the contract approved for the work is $143,320. The project is set to begin soon and will take approximately six weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Photos: Parking construction in Johnstone Park, top, and Pathfinder sign, above left, by Landry Evans, Bartlesville High School. Civitan Park pavilion, bottom right, courtesy of Bartlesville Uptown Civitan Club.