Tahlequah

Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Fall 2023 The University of Oklahoma Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) annually invites advocates and stakeholders from various Oklahoma communities to collaborate on planning and design projects. By leveraging the expertise of students and faculty from the Gibbs College of Architecture, IQC aims to achieve the best possible outcomes for these communities. In May 2023, Rian Cragar, the Design Committee Chair of the Main Street Association in Tahlequah, submitted a proposal requesting assistance with a wayfinding plan to link Downtown Tahlequah with the Tahlequah Creek Trail. The strong community support highlighted in the proposal drew the attention of Dr. Sarah Little, an Associate Professor in Landscape Architecture. Throughout the fall 2023 semester, Dr. Little and her students in LA 5515: Introductory Studio I collaborated with Tahlequah residents to develop ideas for enhancing the connection between these two assets. The recommendations in this report stem from engagement with stakeholders and community members, along with the integration of best practices and design standards. This booklet compiles the research and engagement experiences, demonstrating how these elements were synthesized to offer design and connectivity concepts for the town of Tahlequah to explore further. The aim is to provide a conceptual design framework that project stakeholders can use as a guide in the next steps toward realizing the town’s vision. The students examined ways to improve site conditions to enhance wayfinding beyond just signage.

Tahlequah, OK Community Partners: Tahlequah Main Street Association Jaime Hale, Executive Director Rian Cragar, Design Committee Chair Austin Patton, Board President Tyler Shockley, Design Committee Member Kelten Weaver, Marketing Coordinator Active Living and Transportation Committee Cherokee County TSET Healthy Living: Lora Buecele, Program Coordinator City of Tahlequah: Suzanne Myers, Mayor Taylor Tannehill, Planning & Development Director Cherokee Nation: Austin Patton, Senior Special Projects Analyst, Office of Chief of Staff, Cherokee Nation Dr. Melissa Lewis, Associate Research Professor, University of Missouri, School of Medicine ᏩᏕ ᎦᎵᏍᎨᏫ (wahde galisgewi), Program Manager, Cherokee Language Master Apprentice Program