Cherokee Nation Invests $5 Million to Build Park in Honor of Wilma P. Mankiller
KTUL-Tulsa - July 24, 2022 2:42 pm
Wilma P. Mankiller
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The Cherokee Nation is investing $5 million to bring a new park to Tahlequah.
The Principal Chief Wilma P. Mankiller Capitol Park will be located just down the road from the Cherokee Nation Complex, where a septic tank manufacturing company used to be.
After the manufacturing company went out of business, the Cherokee Nation acquired the property and decided to turn it into a community park.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. says the idea came from his daughter, Jazzy Hoskin, who said she wanted a place for families to meet and for children to make friends.
After working to develop legislation for over a year, the council passed the Wilma Mankiller Capitol Park Act.
“This park will be the first of its kind and I think long overdue to represent the legacy of Wilma Mankiller and I look forward to working on this project, appreciate principal chief’s initiative on this,” said Chad Harsha, secretary of natural resources for the Cherokee Nation.
Some trees will be cleared from the site to make space for a playground, walking trails, a lawn to gather on and a community building.
