Tulsa commission advances Dreamkeepers design work, discusses reactivating Mohawk Park

The Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission reviewed progress on Dreamkeepers Park planning and discussed options for reactivating Mohawk Park during its February meeting, which was rescheduled from January because of weather.

Commissioners were briefed on a request for proposals the Parks Department issued for a design firm to develop Dreamkeepers Park. Commission members said they expect the department to narrow submissions to a short list and bring finalists to committee members for presentations before a selection is made.

Commissioners and committee members described substantial local and out-of-state interest from architectural and engineering firms. The commission’s parks committee said it will work with the city Parks Department to interview the top firms and that the commission’s parks committee members will take part in the selection and review process.

The commission also discussed Mohawk Park. Members said the park has large acreage and features a site near the zoo that has been used as an outdoor classroom. Parks staff plan to relocate that program to Stanley Park, leaving the building available for another use. Commissioners discussed proposing Native-focused programming or a satellite cultural site there, while acknowledging the location would be far from the city center.

Commissioners emphasized coordination with tribal cultural staff in the design process. The commission noted prior outreach to the Cherokee Nation and identified Kim Teehee (Cherokee Nation) and Theresa Birkett (head of the Parks Board) as parties the commission has engaged regarding park planning and cultural input.

Officials said some elements of the Dreamkeepers concept are not eligible for the current grant and will require separate fundraising. In particular, the commission flagged two items that will need additional funds: the main monument and interpretive signage for the tribal garden areas. The commission set a timeline to collect matching funds required by the grant: the match must be secured by November (month stated in meeting).

The parks committee reported that a street study on closing Boulder Park Drive is underway and that the larger construction work would likely begin after the new year, starting with parking infrastructure. Committee members asked for active participation from commissioners as the design and fundraising work proceeds, saying the next several months will be pivotal to the project’s schedule.

No formal vote on the park design or fundraising approach occurred at the meeting; commissioners said further steps will come after the design-firm selection process and additional coordination with the Parks Department and tribal cultural staff.