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Dreamkeepers Park moves forward; commission says $1.7 million remains to raise, design firms selected for interviews
Summary
Commissioners said they have narrowed designer applicants to five firms and are advancing fundraising to complete Dreamkeepers Park. The commission described plans to engage neighborhoods, connect the park to nearby Council Oak, and to recognize Dreamkeeper Award recipients at Native American Day and in November.
Commission leaders said the Dreamkeepers Park project is advancing: five architectural firms have been selected for interview and the commission is moving toward picking a designer.
The chair of the commission reported on fundraising progress and described the remaining budget gap. "We have about, I think, 1,700,000.0 left to raise," the chair said during the meeting. Commissioners said they are pursuing corporate and tribal support, including outreach to Osage Nation, Chickasaws, Choctaws and Muscogee (Creek) partners.
The commission said once a designer is chosen it will hold park-committee meetings that include neighborhood associations and businesses and that it intends to keep the public informed at each step. Commissioners also discussed connecting Dreamkeepers Park to Council Oak via a running path and coordinating maintenance and artwork with a neighborhood nonprofit and city staff.
Dreamkeeper awards and schedule: Commissioners said the Dreamkeeper awards (11 categories) will be recognized at the Native American Day celebration in October and formally honored at a November awards ceremony in the mayoral chambers. The commission is accepting nominations; past practice is to review bios and vote in September.
Why it matters: Dreamkeepers Park and its associated programming are presented as a long-term community asset that commissioners said will include public amenities and create opportunities for neighborhood engagement and events.
No formal motion or vote was recorded at the commission meeting. Quotations in this article are attributed to commission speakers as noted in the meeting transcript.
