Tulsa Wave Park

[adamm]

Has anyone here paddled there? Is it worth the trip to go? I cant find much info on it.

[okieboater]

Not worth the drive from AR at this time.

May well be awesome in a couple years.

Good workout but the old time Tulsa Wave has went away.

[adamm]

Has the wave been washed out? Are they doing working on it?

[okieboater]

original Tulsa Wave was blown out by a flood a number of years ago.

A ton of money and effort has been spent since then building a venue at the spot and rebuilding the coffer dam hoping to re create the original Tulsa Wave (world class play spot while it lasted, ask some of the more senior boaters about it). PSO our local power company has spent their time and money working hard for a community based recreational area for our town.

Over the last few years area boaters have worked to get interest in a "conventional" WW Play Park.

Money was raised and the engineer who designed the Ocoee Olympic Course designed several courses for consideration.

Maybe a year ago, the decision makers in Tulsa got involved and Tulsa's major players took over the concept.

More studies were completed. At this point March 2012, the proposed design is a world class (read wave shaper device included along with paddle raft service) starting at the Zink Dam structure on the East Bank down to the existing coffer dam area. Big time construction of adjoining recreational facilities. It would be a destination boating attraction, not just kayakers altho kayakers would be encouraged because we sometimes do really good crash and burn moves to get the watchers to take our pictures.

Like I said, this project is now run by major decision makers. I understand various funding mechanisms are developing including all sorts of Bonds.

At this point, I believe a major WW park is possible here. My best guess based on nothing but what I think is the thing will be built within a couple years.

Maybe Randy can find a Cross Fire, Flap can dig out one of his classic glass rockets, me and Mike can get a couple Sleeks together and the week end bunch from Ft Smith and Fayetteville can get together and fire up some old school moves when it opens. If not us, our grandkids, it's been a long time coming.

[paddledog]

Maybe Randy can find a Cross Fire, Flap can dig out one of his classic glass rockets, me and Mike can get a couple Sleeks together and the week end bunch from Ft Smith and Fayetteville can get together and fire up some old school moves when it opens. If not us, our grandkids, it's been a long time coming.

Ahhh the good ol' daze........

[Richard]

I have a Cross Fire. It is at Eric Esche's house.

[okieboater]

Keep that baby safe and I know Eric will do just that.

I still have my old Response as well, the ender King kayak of all times

I sold my Sleek but rescued Mike's Sleek and it is safe in my cedar shed waiting for it's day to shine

[MaxTexan]

I am not trying to stir things up,,,,,, but will Tulsa or OKC be first in OK to build a park?

[okieboater]

Max, the content of your words makes me doubt your intentions! (written with a smile on my face)

Here is my response.

Based on the length of time I have personally been advocating for some sort of park in Tulsa and the length of time OKC boaters first talked to me about WW Parks, I am gonna regretfully put my personal bet money on OKC getting theirs complete first. Entirely different mind set in OKC towards river development. Look at what they have done with flat water parks and down town river attractions. If OKC had the river Tulsa has, my bet is they would have had a WW park many years ago.

Having said that, the design team that has done our design told us about a decade ago, the site at Tulsa was the best WW park site he had seen and this is the guy who did the Ocoee. The site at Tulsa has a rock bottom, the exact drop needed, dam supplied water (altho the SWPC has not willingly scheduled recreational releases), easy bank access and right in the middle of a good sized town with an awesome River Parks along the bank. We have had outstanding support from the local power company PSO, River Parks Authority and a few other decision makers. Luke warm from others in power. For the most part, getting public funds has been shut out till now. OKC on the other hand, if my understanding is correct, did get public funds and support from local business money.

On the good side, thanks to those who do believe a WW Park for Tulsa is a good thing, it does look to me like the stars are lining up. Proving once again faith and dedication eventually will pay off. Local boaters seemed to be blessed with a number of "Angels" who showed up when needed have stayed on course thru good and bad.

In the final analysis, does not matter if OKC wins the race or at least not to me. What matters is if both cities end up with class WW Parks that provide a better environment for the citizens, jobs and two options for boaters to enjoy. Think of the good things if we had big time WW competition between Dallas, OKC and Tulsa!!! Good for every one including the tax payers.

Hope to see all of you at the opening!

[Charles1967]

Whatever happened with this? Heading to Tulsa in a few weeks and wondering if the Wave Park still exists. Most of the posts I find online are YEARS old. Thanks.

[okieboater]

Well, it is still there as far as the viewing area.

Unfortunately, some years ago Tulsa had a flood that re arranged the rocks and the famous Tulsa Wave Hole went away.

Despite the best efforts and tons of money donated for equipment and time by PSO and Tulsa's streets, we have not been able to re create the wave hole. There is a fast current and some rocks on both sides of the river to do a workout but not the exciting play hole we once had.

[Charles1967]

Thanks for the feedback. How does it compare to the Ford here in Siloam Springs? Do you know of any recent video of playboaters using it?

Charles

[okieboater]

Night and day with the Springs being the day part.

Not worth the drive for us locals so not worth the drive for you guys and gals close to Da Ford!

Sad to see it, some work going on to put a WW park at the site but a ton of politicians need to get on board for that to happen.