Fred Johnson Park at 61st and Riverside to Undergo Major $8.3 Million Reimagination Project

8/5/2026

Community Groundbreaking Celebration Planned for Friday, Aug. 7, at 9:30 a.m.

• View the artist rendering

The City of Tulsa and Tulsa Parks are set to make major improvements at Fred Johnson Park on 61st and Riverside Drive starting later this summer - improvements that include the complete reimagination of the park.

A community groundbreaking celebration is scheduled for this Friday, Aug. 7, at 9:30 a.m. at 6002 S. Riverside Drive. Members of the media and entire community are invited to attend.

"I'm proud to join in celebrating this long-needed investment to the 61st and Riverside community," Mayor Nichols said. "The improvements at Fred Johnson Park reflect the vision and feedback of neighbors, and we look forward to creating a vibrant, welcoming space for residents of all ages."

Improvements to the park include a complete reimagination of the entire corner, including:

• New looped walking trail around the park perimeter.
• New covered basketball court with lighting, skylights and bench seating.
• New misting plaza outside the covered court, including mist poles and seating.
• New lighted pickleball courts with shaded seating.
• New baseball field with backstop.
• New dog park with three enclosed areas for small, large and elderly & disabled dogs. The new dog park will include paved walking paths throughout, a water station, shaded seating, dog bone benches and dog play features.
• New skate features at the southwest corner of the park, including a skate path, low skateable features and a specialty "TUL" ramp.
• New playground featuring inclusive play features, towers, swings and in ground games (e.g. hopscotch, four square).
• New splash pad adjacent to the playground.
• New Portland Loo restroom.
• New lighting along the walking trails, parking lot, sports courts and throughout the park.
• New trees and landscaping, including berms along Riverside to create a barrier from the street.

The Fred Johnson Park reimagination project is supported through $3.125 million from Improve Our Tulsa 2, $5 million from Improve Our Tulsa 3, and an additional $200,000 for playground improvements, totaling $8,325,000.

The project is also made possible in large part due to the collaboration between, and advocacy from, City Councilors from Districts 2 and 9 - representing a shared interest in the future of the area.

“We promised significant neighborhood investments to the residents of Riverwood. This groundbreaking represents Tulsa’s commitment to keep its word," District 2 City Councilor Anthony Archie said. "My commitment is to work across district lines to build on this progress with additional infrastructure and economic development in the 61st and Peoria corridor. The best is yet to come for Riverwood!"

Additional features that will be incorporated into the project include:

• Extra skate features including: TUL Skate ramp, small skate features around the southwest concrete looped path, and LED uplighting for the TUL skate ramp.
• Polycarbonate transparent skylights on basketball shelter roof (as opposed to a fully opaque metal roof structure).
• Swing area, to be included next to playground structures.
• Duratherm decorative asphalt treatment. A patterned thermoplastic application which will indicate pedestrian travel paths within the parking lot.
• Bomanite Concrete Topping System: Colored concrete inlaid in the sidewalk concrete, which will include decorative symbols at park features.

"There is a clear excitement for the future of Fred Johnson Park," Tulsa Parks Director Anna America said. "The design and new amenities at this new park represent a major step toward creating a more active and welcoming space for everyone."

Community engagement has further shaped the project since 2022, with residents identifying priorities ranging from improved sports amenities and lighting to inclusive play areas and better pedestrian access. These priorities informed the complete design, which was developed by Landplan Consultants in partnership with Tulsa Parks.

During the community groundbreaking celebrations, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Tulsa leaders, view official park renderings and learn more about amenities planned for construction. The event also includes snacks, games and music for all.