 Kole Kennedy, Environmental Programs Manager, Land Protection Division from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality presented Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful Chair Sharon Atcheson with the Scissortail-tailed Flycatcher Award on Oct. 5.
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recognized Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful (KBAB) with the highest recognition a community can receive under the Oklahoma Clean Community Program.
KBAB received the Level I Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Award during a special ceremony at Central Park on Oct. 5, in honor of the city’s biannual Trash Bash & Recycling Rally, which helps beautify the city and reduces landfill dumping.
You can be a part of this award-winning program by volunteering for the next Trash Bash and Recycling Rally Saturday, Oct. 21. The Recycling Rally will be held at Events Park, 211010 E. 101st St., from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Over the last year, KBAB volunteers have picked up 17 miles of waste and material from the roadsides.
In April, KBAB collected:
- 955 pounds of car batteries
- 400 pounds of regular household batteries
- 1,590 pounds of cardboard
- 4,000 pounds of electronic waste
- 237 pounds of medication
- 96 pounds of plastic bags
- 76 pounds of sharps
- 6,500 pounds of shredded paper
- 215 tires
City of Broken Arrow Solid Waste and Recycling Director Jerry Schuber spoke glowingly about the work the volunteer organization has accomplished already this year.
“We are so delighted to be a part of Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful and to partner with the organizations who are helping us reach our goals of reducing waste in our roadways, waterways, and community,” Schuber said. “We’re incredibly proud and humbled by the number of people who volunteer to make Broken Arrow a beautiful place to live, work and play!”
For more on this story go to KBAB awarded highest honor and to volunteer on Oct. 21, go to Trash Bash & Recycling Rally 2023.
Here's what's happening beyond the dirt and cones
Project updates October 2023
The City Council, acting in their capacity as the Broken Arrow Economic Development Authority, has authorized an economic development agreement between the City and Sunset at Broken Arrow, LLC, to bring a large-scale outdoor entertainment venue to the city’s southeast side of our city. The agreement was approved during the Council’s meeting on Oct. 3.
The public/private partnership includes a 12,500-seat amphitheater for live, major musical performances at our Events Park. Sunset at Broken Arrow, LLC is a subsidiary of Notes Live, one of the fastest growing entertainment and hospitality companies in the U.S.
"An amphitheater was part of the park's Masterplan back in the early 2000s," said Councilmember Johnnie Parks. ""So, I'm really excited and I feel like the original owners of the property, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, would be very pleased."
To watch City Manager Michael Spurgeon and City Councilmember Johnnie Parks discuss the new amphitheater that is coming to Broken Arrow, go to City Council Rewind Oct. 3.
Also, the city is expanding the parking options in the award-winning Rose District by adding 110-free parking spaces at the southeast corner of 1st and Detroit Streets. The contractor recently started demolishing the main parking lot and then will move to the smaller lot to the south. The entire project is expected to be complete in about four months or in late January, weather permitting.
At Elam Park, the contractor is finishing the site grading and installing the underground utilities. They are also putting in a concrete drive and building the foundation for the restroom facilities. City crews are nearly finished with the curb and gutter on the drive lane and parking lot. Elam Park's grand opening is expected in the summer of 2024.
The first phase of improvements for the fleet maintenance parking lot is finished. The contractor has now shifted to the north section. They are removing the existing pavement and will start the subgrade modifications this week. This project is expected to be completed at the end of October.
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For more information about transportation projects, watch this month's Broken Arrow in Motion with City Manager Michael Spurgeon. |
 In this month's Community Development Update, Director Kevin Maevers shares information on the latest developments approved by the City Council in September. Discover new projects like The Enclave at YOLy, the Bowden Property and more by clicking on the graphic above.
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Transportation options to increase for residents
Affordable transportation is on the way to Broken Arrow as a part of the Microtransit Pilot Program that will launch in early 2024.
The program’s goal is to improve quality of life within the region by creating an efficient, affordable, and sustainable public transportation system that is accessible for all.
Microtransit is a demand-response service that uses the same technology and interface as Uber and Lyft.
For more information, go to Transportation options increasing for residents | City News | City of Broken Arrow (brokenarrowok.gov)
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City recognized for environmental effort
The City of Broken Arrow is setting an environmental standard for detention pond development in Oklahoma. The City was awarded the Ronald D. Flanagan Gold Project Award at the 2023 Annual Conference of the Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Association for its efforts.
This award recognizes Oklahoma communities or agencies that go above and beyond by completing a specific project related to stream restoration, repetitive loss buyouts, green belt creation, and floodplain partnerships.
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