Cherokee Nation investing $1.3M into playground upgrades at low-income rental properties
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The Cherokee Nation says it is investing $1.3 million into playground equipment and community room upgrades at its rental housing units across the reservation.
The tribe is hoping to add to Cherokee citizens' rental experiences and promote healthier outdoor activities for children.
“Deputy Chief Bryan Warner and I have made public health and wellness a priority in our administration and this is another way we can make community investments and encourage outdoor activity among our citizens,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “This is just one of the many steps to help our Cherokee youth practice healthy habits while also promoting togetherness.”
The money for these upgrades are coming from Indian Community Development Block Grant funds.
Projects at 14 different rental housing sites will start this spring.
“We’re very excited to be updating playground equipment at several of our rental properties,” Cherokee Nation Executive Director of Housing Programs Todd Enlow said. “We’re really hoping these updates will not only bring a new and exciting place for children to play, but also bring an outdoor space for families to gather and connect with others, which is the Cherokee way.”
Cherokee Nation Public Health says increasing access to physical activity, social interaction, and play for children and families through the addition of playground equipment helps in getting individuals outside for positive family time.
The existing playground equipment will be taken down prior to the new installations.
The following locations will receive updated playground equipment:
- Cherokee Heights in Pryor
- Johnny Chopper in Locust Grove
- Plainview I in Stilwell
- Plainview II in Stilwell
- Ross Swimmer Addition in Tahlequah
- Bushyhead Heights I in Westville
- Houston Johnson Heights in Warner
- Cherokee Village in Catoosa
- Keeler Heights in Bartlesville
- Willard Stone Heights in Locust Grove
- Robert Swimmer Addition in Jay
- Jack Brown Heights in Tahlequah
- Proctor Heights II in Hulbert
- Bushyhead Heights II in Westville
The Housing Authority of the Cherokee Nation says it manages 996 rental units in 27 complexes across the reservation.
The first playground project is slated for Houston Johnson Heights in Warner.
In the future, the Housing Authority off the Cherokee Nation staff will begin remodeling several of the rental housing community rooms as part of this project.
