Woodward Park renovations begin

The City of Tulsa has begun a major renovation of Woodward Parks' most photographed corner - the terraced beds of azaleas with ponds and a bridge near the 21st and Peoria intersection.

Heavy equipment is now removing boulders and reshaping the terraces, while work begins to dig out and enlarge a storm drain that runs underneath the park to a 90" pipe.

The combined projects will cost $6.8 million, with $2 million from stormwater fees and the rest from the Improve Our Tulsa package approved by voters.

1. 2014 Voters approved $4.8 million for park design and construction.
2. 2024 Bid awarded to Jonesplan
3. 2025 Project breaks ground, with expected 1-year construction timeline

The work extends outside the park boundary to one lane of both Peoria and 21st Streets, with the roads expected to be narrowed down through December 2025.

Tulsa Parks Director Anna America said the four ponds will be cleaned out and rebuilt, a new accessible path will be added on the north side of the ponds, and new plantings are intended to extend the time when colorful blooms are visible.

"There will be azaleas, but it won't just be azaleas," she said. "It's going to be gorgeous when it opens; it's going to be exciting, but it's really going to be gorgeous in 3-5 years when you see all those things filling in."