TSET Board of Directors Awards Grant for Trailhead and Bike Park Expansion
Riversport Foundation to receive up to $785,704 for construction projects
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 25, 2024) – The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Board of Directors on Thursday awarded a grant to the Riversport Foundation to help fund expansion of the Oklahoma Trailhead and Bike Park in Oklahoma City.
The TSET board approved grant funds up to $785,704 to support Phase II of the expansion and improvements that are scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2025.
“TSET is committed to supporting healthy living in Oklahoma, and Riversport OKC provides a variety of sporting and other physical activities,” said TSET Board Chair Marshall Snipes. “This grant will help the Riversport Foundation provide additional trails and amenities at the Oklahoma Trailhead and Bike Park that will enhance wellness for many years to come.”
The Riversport Foundation is budgeting a total of $1,543,763 for Phase II construction. TSET’s portion of funding will pay for:
- An elevated dirt trail loop and sidewalk
- A gravel parking lot with lighting, paved disabled parking and striping
- Additional dirt trails and bike ramps
- A welcome plaza and activity zone
- Hedge wall and landscaping
- Other outdoor amenities for safety and comfort
The project seeks to leverage outdoor recreation to improve physical and mental health, according to Riversport’s proposal.
TSET is committed to supporting environments that encourage physical activity and make activity more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Healthy eating and regular physical activity reduce the risk of obesity, which is linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.
“Engaging in physical activity helps prevent cardiovascular disease and such activity should also be fun,” said TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee. “The planned improvements, from the trails, bike ramps and sidewalk to the community garden, will make the facility an even more inviting place for Oklahomans and their families to visit and stay physically active.”
For more information about TSET’s programs and grants, visit Oklahoma.gov/TSET.
###
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with local coalitions and initiatives across the state, cultivating innovative and life-changing research and working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. To learn more, go to Oklahoma.gov/TSET.
TSET – Better Lives Through Better Health