Tulsa Parks plan inclusive playgrounds at Hicks & Bales Parks

Tulsa Parks is partnering with the Sanford & Irene Burnstein Family Foundation and community advocates to build two inclusive playgrounds at Hicks Park and Bales Park, designed for children of all abilities to play together in safe, accessible environments.

Major investment for Tulsa families

Each playground is backed by a $785,000 investment from the Burnstein Family Foundation. The initiative reflects a city-wide commitment to accessibility, with input from advocates, designers, and local families shaping the features of the parks.

Community voices shape inclusive design

The playgrounds feature equipment such as saucer swings for wheelchair users, rubber ramps, quiet zones, talk tubes, and sensory panels. Each design includes a net-based central tower, a We-Go-Round for seated play, and spaces for parallel play—ensuring children can explore at their own pace.

“As a parent of a child with a disability, this project means the world to me,” said Lauren Pool, a community advocate who also contributed to the Hope Playground at Whiteside Park. “These playgrounds show that Tulsa values every family and every child.”

Hicks Park and Bales Park to receive broader upgrades

Hicks Park will see sidewalk and parking lot improvements along with restroom renovations, including an adult changing table.

Image Provided By: Landscape Structures

Bales Park will become home to Tulsa’s first wheelchair-accessible softball field.

Image Provided By: Landscape Structures

Construction timeline

Construction is set to begin later this summer, with completion expected before the end of 2025.