The City of Tulsa plans to rename the current Veterans Park, located at 18th and S. Boulder Park Drive, to Dream Keepers Park, honoring Tulsa’s Native American history. Veterans Park will then be relocated to the current site of Centennial Park, at 1028 E. 6th Street, an area that is at the heart of local veterans’ activities and events.

City officials say the new locations could provide more opportunities for large-scale events and a wide range of opportunities for the community.

The term, “dream keepers” comes from an annual award given to citizens by the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission who exemplify strong character and have made a difference in their dedication to public service.

Officials hope to include several public art pieces from local tribes and create a pathway that honors past recipients of the Dream Keepers Award. The City hopes to formally rename Dream Keepers Park by Native American Day in October 2021.

Several veterans’ monuments will need to be relocated. Veterans’ groups hope to have a new sign and any monuments moved into place before September 2021, which marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Local veterans’ groups will coordinate the relocation of any monuments. Joshua Starks, Veterans Chair for the City’s Human Rights Commission says the new location will improve accessibility and provide better options for properly honoring and remembering Tulsans who served in the military.

“The new Veterans Park will provide easier access to our monuments and memorials, giving them the reverence, they deserve,” Starks said. “Walking along the trail will provide citizens with a visual remembrance of the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.”

The recommendation of the renaming will be sent to the Tulsa Parks Board and the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission this summer before going to the City Council for formal approval.