OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

Client: The Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust

Nature of Work

E.D. Hill Surveying Company worked with OCWUT to develop a recreational master plan for Lake Hefner. Located in the northwest quadrant of Oklahoma City, this premier inland sailing lake presented many challenges to the planners of E.D. Hill.

To combat these potential problems, E.D. Hill conducted public hearings, land use inventories, conceptual studies, site specific evaluations, milestone charts and financial concepts as part of the master planning process.

The plan recommended focusing on the concept of a “Great Park”. To achieve this, a coordinated effort was necessary in all aspects of the planning process. Improved recreation/entertainment facilities, access for both vehicles and pedestrians, and commercial/cultural facilities were instrumental aspects of the Lake Hefner Recreational Master Plan. The plan also consisted of detailed shore studies which focused on swimming beaches, a golf course, commercial sections, marinas, and walking and jogging trails.

In summary, the concept of a “Great Park” for Lake Hefner was created using a balanced perspective for development. While recommending that most of the reservation area be utilized for recreational development, the plan attempted to provide the right mix of income producing development with park and recreational development.