tennis courts, two basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, a skate park, a large splash pad, and ADAcompliant playground equipment. The park’s walking trails, clean restrooms, and secure lighting create a welcoming environment for all ages. With such a range of amenities, the city park is a testament to Collinsville’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The city is also home to several community events that draw visitors from across the region. Hogs and Hot Rods, one of the largest antique and classic car and motorcycle events in the state, takes place every June. In September, Collinsville hosts “A Brush with Jazz,” an arts festival featuring live jazz music and painting artists on every corner. These events, along with others, contribute to the city’s vibrant community life and attract positive chargers are already in place, with plans to add four more, including rapid chargers at key locations such as the Veterans Building and the public library. Lastly, educating the next generation about sustainability is also a priority. “We’re working with the University of Tulsa on an internship program to plug our youth into areas they’re interested in so that they don’t have to wait until they graduate to find out if it’s a good fit or not,” Ralls says. These internships may offer college credit hours, deferred or reduced tuition, or be paid by the city. MOVING FORWARD WHILE PRESERVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE One of Collinsville’s standout features is its city park, which rivals parks in much larger cities. The park offers an array of amenities, including four 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10
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