Remarks from Commissioner Kelly Dunkerley | |
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Working as a team, we achieved many great successes in 2023. We pulled together to overcome the Father’s Day storm in June and finished the year strong. We have a lot to be excited about in 2024.
Expo Square continues to host many events, including 11 days of awesome, horse shows, car shows, home and garden shows, gun and knife events, to name a few, and of course, the Chili bowl was another huge success.
Some new things are happening at the County including Arts in the Park, as well as several other new and exciting events, so stay tuned. Golf season is upon us and a familiar face at LaFortune Park, Josh Stewart, will be our new contracted professional running the golf courses. Melissa McCorkle and her awesome staff will be returning to the courts helping people of all ages, indoor and outdoor. We are excited for the expansion of three additional indoor courts coming later this year.
Social Services helped 182 people last year with a 90-day hand up, not a handout program. We restructured and combined Directors of Parks and Social Services together saving the County money, so that we could redirect funds to needed positions.
As we make decisions for the future of the Tulsa County Courthouse repairs and possible replacement, we invite you to get involved. Give us a call, email, or come by some time. We have so many things to be thankful for in Tulsa County, it is truly an honor to serve you.
Kelly Dunkerley
District 3 County Commissioner
www2.tulsacounty.org/government/elected-officials/kelly-dunkerley/
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District 3 Neighborhood Cleanup Days | |
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Help keep District 3 clean! Last year we applied for a grant to help keep our district clean. We had six locations to collect waste and they were all a huge success, even getting statewide news coverage. This year we were awarded the grant money again and will have four locations: Glenpool, LaFortune Park, Haikey Creek, and Bixby.
Our first cleanup event of 2024 took place on February 17 at the South County Recreation Center. We collected six containers of household waste while the M.e.t. and New Solutions collected recyclables. We have three more events planned in the coming weeks. Hope to see you there!
Saturday, March 9
LaFortune Park, 5961 S. Yale Ave.
Saturday, March 23
Haikey Creek Park, 11327 S. Garnett Rd.
Saturday, April 13
Washington Irving Park, 13700 S. Memorial Ave.
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Highway Maintenance and Operations | | |
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We set a record number of road mile projects in a year with a whopping 13 miles. Most people are unaware of this, but your property taxes do not pay for road maintenance, operations, and bridges. The state sends us money, like they do for schools, in five different formulas. These formulas then give us our monthly budgets.
We partnered with Glenpool Mayor Joyce Calvert and Jenks Mayor Cory Box to stretch each of our dollars on joint roads we all share. In doing so we have been able to help our citizens have better roads, in a shorter time, and more economically.
👇 Watch the District 3 Road Maintenance Update Video
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District 3 Listening Events | |
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District 3 held three open houses and four "Conversations with Kelly" at locations around the County. The Open houses were held at the D3 Highway barn, LaFortune Community Center, and the South Broken Arrow Library. The Commissioner and County staff gave updates on projects and answered questions.
We hope to see you at another event soon!
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Arts in the Parks at LaFortune
Tulsa County Parks is reintroducing "Art in the Park" at LaFortune Park. Mark your calendars and bring the family. One event will acknowledge valuable community members such as teachers, foster families, first responders, and animal shelters. Attendees can enjoy shopping from local vendors, live music, and show support for these community partners.
Art in the Park – Honoring Teachers: Friday, April 26th, 2024, from 6-8 p.m.
Art in the Park – Honoring Foster Families: Friday, May 31st, 2024, from 6-8 p.m..
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LaFortune and South Lakes Golf Courses
As temperatures rise, LaFortune and South Lakes Golf Courses prepare for the upcoming busy season. We are anticipating over 350 rounds of golf played daily during the spring and summer months just at LaFortune.
After sunset, the Par 3 is lit allowing players to extend their game. So what are you waiting for, book your tee time early.
Did you know?
- Facilitates entertainment and service to more than 500,000 guests annually.
- Provides 54 holes at 2 separate locations (2 Championship Courses and 1 18 Hole Par 3 Course).
- Night Golf and Driving Range under the lights is available 7 months out of the year at LaFortune.
- PGA Members or PGA Apprentices are on duty at all times.
- We offer a full service pro shop that is stocked with the newest apparel, clubs, headwear, footwear and more.
- Custom club fitting from all major manufacturers.
- More than 500 junior golfers attend our junior camps each year.
- Golf Carts are equipped with GPS, which includes stereo, yardage, layout, food and beverage ordering capabilities and 2 way communication.
- We are open to the public, but do offer golf memberships and range memberships.
- We offer multiple clinics that include women, men, beginner, junior and our PGA HOPE Veterans Program.
- We provide a web-based tee time service that allows customers to easily book their tee times online.
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LaFortune Park Tennis
The world class facility and staff at LaFortune Park Tennis Center brought home the gold with the League of Exceptional Players, who participated in the Special Olympics qualifier, and Team Willis 55+ 6.0 women’s team that captured the National title in Orlando in late October 2023.
With more than 800 teams in the USTA category, this group of nine women went undefeated to bring home the banner to LaFortune. Have you ever wanted to learn the game of tennis or pickle ball? Now may be your chance call Melissa McCorkle at 918-496-6230 and get started with lessons
Did you know?
- More than 100,000 people play at LaFortune each year including 1000 junior players.
- More than 250 USTA teams originate from LaFortune annually with 1960 unique players.
- 15 certified teaching pros teach, coach, and mentor.
- There are no membership fees; just pay as you play.
- Twelve courts are marked for kids 10 and under.
- LaFortune is the only organized public tennis facility in Tulsa and is open 360 days a year.
- More than $10 million in private funds have been raised to support past and future tennis projects.
- LaFortune was host to one of the largest pickleball tournaments in the state.
- LaFortune Park Tennis was named the USTA Featured Facility of the Year in 2018.
- LaFortune Park Tennis has been selected as a premier facility two years in a row (2023 and 2024) by the USTA because of its impressive programs recognized nationwide.
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The Great Easter Egg Hunt
Chandler Park is set to host the County's largest Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 23rd, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Boasting 30,000 eggs for children up to 12-years-old, alongside food trucks, a petting zoo, children's music, and STEAM activities. The event is free, but registration is required here.
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Guess What Reopened?
Chandler Park has reopened its Lower Level after being closed for 15 years. This newly accessible area boasts a walking trail with interpretive signs that shares the park's rich history. To ensure accessibility for all, the trail will be upgraded to meet ADA standards with paving and lighting.
After the award-winning film "Killers of the Flower Moon" was shot in the park, Tulsa County Parks is working hard to protect its heritage by tackling graffiti vandalism and preserving the aged rock surfaces. View Channel 6's story on the new trail: www.newson6.com/story/65c6d122cb51f542fbce0b59/tulsa-county-works-to-improve-trail-at-chandler-park-make-it-more-accessible
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O'Brien Park
O’Brien Park is gearing up for the eagerly anticipated baseball season. Tulsa County Parks is thrilled to continue its longstanding partnership with the Tulsa Drillers, a collaboration that has enriched the community for years. As the young players get ready to step onto the field in their cleats, they're not just learning the game's basics; they're also learning important lessons in sportsmanship.
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The Transitional Living Center at Tulsa County Social Services is committed to making homelessness brief, and non-recurring, by empowering individuals, couples, and families with the skills needed to overcome challenges and reclaim control over their lives.
Clients are required to secure employment, save for housing, and demonstrate progress towards their objectives, with a goal of transitioning into housing within 90 days.
Our housing specialists, and individual and family support specialists, work with our clients to achieve their goals and hold them accountable.
We partner with agencies such as Tulsa Dress for Success, Goodwill Industries of Tulsa, Discovery Lab, and Tulsa County Parks to ensure all the families’ needs are met. Here are three of our recent success stories with pictures:
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Commissioner Dunkerley visited with State Legislators in OKC in February.
He also attended the Bixby Chamber Annual Awards Banquet. A growing area, Bixby’s success is spurred by positive relationships between the Business Community, Bixby Schools, and Municipal leaders.
Also in February, the Commissioner attended the Legislative Briefing Breakfast at the Tulsa Marriott at Southern Hills.
The Jenks Chamber held a Legislative luncheon in January, and it was great to visit with Senator Cody Rogers and Representative Lonnie Sims to learn about more issues on the table in the upcoming legislative session.
Also in January, the Commissioner spoke at the Glenpool Chamber of Commerce monthly membership Luncheon.
And thanks to everyone who attended one of our seven open houses this past fall and winter. We are thankful for the support and encouragement and look forward to helping move our community forward in 2024.
Have an event coming up and need a speaker? Contact Commissioner Dunkerley's office.⬇️
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