In 2016, Oklahoma City applied to EPA for technical assistance under the Greening America’s Communities Program to address flooding and connectivity issues for five key locations in the Paseo Arts District, Central Park, Jefferson Park, and Edgemere Park neighborhoods. The city also wanted to pilot new opportunities for integrating stormwater management with street and public space improvements. EPA brought together a team of federal agency staff and design professionals to help the city create community-supported design solutions.

This report outlines the public engagement process, conditions analysis, and design tasks undertaken to prioritize and address key neighborhood challenges using a sustainable approach to flood mitigation and safe passage. The report includes a set of recommendations specific to each of the five locations with detailed illustrations to help community members, city staff and potential developers envision the functional, aesthetic and experiential qualities of the proposed designs.

The design options propose improved amenities for pedestrians and cyclists and provide a range of green infrastructure approaches to address stormwater and floodwater issues including an infiltration roundabout, increased tree canopy, a detention amphitheater, stream restoration and a multipurpose trail with infiltration. The report concludes with next steps and potential partnerships to support and fund implementation.

• Greening America's Communities: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (PDF)(42 pp, 8 MB, 2017)