Tulsa Parks officially opens a new fort-themed playground at Zeigler Park.
The city closed the park’s rec center and pool more than a decade ago. Parks Director Lucy Dolman says the new three-story playground is the result of asking community residents what they wanted last year.
"They really wanted to see a playground, so we wanted this to be as special as it could be," Dolman said. "We had the students pick what theme they wanted to do. This is really our first major, themed playground, and we're really excited about it. And it looks like it's a big success."
Mark Twain Elementary students chose the fort theme over dragons, farms or villages.
The parks department named the playground Fort J.D. Smith, and the former Charles Page Neighborhood Association president is happy to see it in the rec center’s place.
"We were just glad to get rid of it, because the paint was falling off, and the maintenance was unreal. Unreal," Smith said.
The playground cost $450,000, which came from sales tax and a community foundation grant.
