Guthrie moves forward with Downtown Pocket Park proposal despite turf debate

The City of Guthrie will soon be converting a small downtown parking lot into a community pocket park, following a split vote by the Historic Preservation Commission on May 5.

The project, located at the corner of E. Oklahoma Ave. and Wentz St., would transform a city-owned 10-space parking lot into a vibrant green space featuring an activity lawn, picnic tables, Victorian benches, flowerbeds, planters, trees, fencing, a new ADA sidewalk, and a dedicated food truck lane. The park would be adjacent to The Shoppes and a frequent host to events like the Guthrie Wine & Craft Festival and Guthrie’s Downtown Market.

City staff applied for the Downtown Pocket Park project through the Main Street Incentive Grant Program in November 2024. The project received enthusiastic approval and funding of $24,537, matched by $24,538 from the City of Guthrie (in-kind services by Public Works), bringing the total project budget to $49,075.

During the meeting, the Commission deliberated for 35 minutes, with much of the discussion centering around the choice of field turf versus natural grass. Commissioner Valerie Duncan voiced concerns over the appearance and authenticity of artificial turf, while Commissioner Phil Nichols defended it as a practical solution requiring minimal maintenance.

“I’ll be honest, the only detail that I don’t like is the astro turf,” member Valerie Duncan said.

Nichols responded by saying, “I think in a perfect world everybody would all love to have grass, but I think it would turn into a real problem,” Phil Nichols said. “If it’s not doable, then I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to act like the whole project is not going to work because we don’t do natural grass.”

Economic Development Director Shawnda Rooney noted that field turf could also improve ADA accessibility and reduce upkeep costs.

Despite the concerns, the Commission approved the measure in a 3-2 vote, with Nichols, Jason Wells, and Nathan Turner voting in favor, and Duncan and Menecca Gibbs opposing it. Gibbs clarified that while she supported the park concept, she could not support the use of field turf.