A significant infusion of cash into city coffers for the development and improvement of Muskogee’s parks, some say, could be the ticket for economic prosperity.

Muskogee’s community foundation pledged $2.5 million to help fund improvements to city parks during the course of the next five years.

The goal, officials say, is to bring all the parks up to comparable levels and improve the quality of life for those who live, work and play in Muskogee.

“This will push us years ahead of what we otherwise could have done,” City Manager Greg Buckley said. “Quality of life is a huge factor and it will improve our ability to recruit new business.”

Buckley said while improvements have been made during the past few years at parks around town, the infusion of about $500,000 annually for the next five years “will be fantastic.”

City of Muskogee Foundation officials, who approached the city last year with the proposition, said the goal of multi-year grant is to bring all the city parks up to the same standard.

“They (city officials) see Honor Heights and Spaulding (parks) as the bigger tourist attractions, and there has been more attention given to these parks,” said Lynsie Laughlin, the foundation’s grants administrator.

“If money is the issue in getting the other parks in town brought up to that same standard, I think what we have decided is the money needs to be there,” Laughlin said.

Park improvements, Laughlin said, also promotes the foundation’s health and wellness initiatives. By providing amenities and facilities that will attract families to the parks, Laughlin said more people will be outside and engaging in physical activities.

Quality of life is a factor that can be hard to quantify. But its value, officials say, can be seen within a vibrant community where opportunities abound.

Martha Alford, chairwoman of the City of Muskogee Foundation’s Quality of Life committee, said quality parks promote those opportunities.

Quality of life, Alford said, is something that draws people and keeps them here. Promoting local cultural interests is one way to do that.

“Parks create an atmosphere that makes people want to belong to Muskogee,” Alford said. “The city is looking for a brand ... Our parks are something we’re known for but can be expanded upon.”

While Muskogee’s quality of life impacts those who live here, officials see it as the key to prosperity and growth.

Buckley, the city’s top administrator, said enhancing the quality of life “is huge when it comes to recruiting new businesses.”

“It is one of the fundamental things businesses look for ... when they are looking to expand or relocate,” Buckley said.

Muskogee Port Authority Director Scott Robinson, who oversees industrial recruitment and retention, said this new commitment to improving city parks should prove beneficial.

“Anything that helps improve the quality of life will definitely help us in our efforts to recruit new industry,” Robinson said.

Robinson said during a recent trip to Colorado he noticed a lot of people hiking, riding bicycles, using the area’s parks and trails.

“I don’t know if it’s because the people are different or if it’s because those opportunities are available,” Robinson said.  “But there are a lot of people who are looking for those types of amenities, and the more we have the better.”

Mark Wilkerson, director of the city’s parks department, said the foundation grant is unprecedented for a town the size of Muskogee. The final result will set Muskogee apart from other cities of comparable size.

“Honor Heights Park is what Muskogee is known for,” Wilkerson said. “But spending this type of money for the whole parks system will have people pointing to Muskogee as a leader” among its peers.

In addition to the initial estimated $500,000 annual grant, Wilkerson said that money can be used to leverage funding through other grant programs.

“It used to be the only way we could do anything of any significance was to get (state or federal) grants,” Wilkerson said. “Of course we were limited by what we could match. What we want to do first is identify what grants are out there and apply for them.”

While awaiting funds, Wilkerson said the department will identify and prioritize parks and projects.

“What we intend to do is prioritize our work to the parks that have a more urgent need,” Wilkerson said. “At the same time we want to spread those projects around the community so neighborhoods in all parts of town can see this happening.”

Wilkerson said the new money will have no effect on projects already under way. Those projects include improvements at Robison and Rotary parks.

Initially, Wilkerson said, much of the funding will be directed toward playground improvements

“We are going to address the playgrounds in every park in town,” We want to make them safe and attractive — try to get people outside doing something.”

Wilkerson said plans also include more splash pads and the development of more community gardens.

While people seem optimistic about the foundations’ plan, there are some who have concerns about the city’s ability to follow through with its promise to target all parks equally.

Johnny Craig, a member of the Robison Park Community Association, said lobbying for improvements at the southeast neighborhood park “was an uphill battle.”

“This could be great,” Craig said. “We would really like to see it (park improvements and money) spread around equally among all the parks.”

Jessica Graham, who was visiting the splash pad at Robison Park with her son this past week, said while she frequently enjoys the park, there might be better ways to spend $2.5 million.

“I like the parks,” Graham said. “I just think we have enough of them already.”

Reach D.E. Smoot at (918) 684-2901 or dsmoot@muskogeephoenix.com.