Tulsa Parks and Recreation is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new trail system at Bales Park. Currently, the park only has a baseball field, but soon they will have 3.4 miles of walking trails for the community to enjoy.

The $190,000 project is funded by the Burnstein Foundation, the City of Tulsa, the Tulsa Housing Authority and more. Construction is expected to take about four months with an estimated completion date around July 2022.

The project includes unpaved trails through the wooded area beside the baseball fields for walking and both beginner/intermediate cyclists. There will also be a downhill section specifically for bikers.

Parks Director Anna America says it is an area cut off from many city amenities and they wanted to make the area a place for not only exercise, but a hub for recreational activities and events.

“A lot of urban kids don’t ever have this opportunity to get out into nature or ride a mountain bike,” America said. “I’m real excited that we’re not just going to bring a cool amenity but some programming that will target those neighborhood kids.”

The baseball fields will still be open during the construction for anyone who wants to rent them out.

“This area is a high-needs community that is geographically cut off from many amenities and services,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “This regional trail will provide an outlet for physical wellness and will also be the focus of many recreational activities for kids who live in this neighborhood.”

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. and anyone is welcome to attend.