Massive Whitewater Park to Bring nearly $1M to Northeast Oklahoma

VisitWOKA.com

After years of rumors and potential ideas, a concrete plan to develop a thirty acre whitewater park on the Illinois River near the Arkansas-Oklahoma border has come to light with the financial backing of the Walton Family Foundation.

The new plans were announced with the launch of www.visitWOKA.com, WOKA of course being the combination of the words "water", "Oklahoma", and "Arkansas". WOKA is a collaboration between the city of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Grand River Dam Authority, and the Walton Family Foundation. The Walton Family Foundation is funding 95% of the design and construction costs and GRDA will manage and maintain the facility. 

The plans show a diversion channel off of the existing river channel that will house the 1200-foot long, 100-foot wide whitewater course that is set to feature eight drop features that will test a variety of skill levels. The course is being designed to accommodate kayaks, canoes, tubes, rafts and even surfboards.  

Located inside the reservation boundaries of the Cherokee Nation, the 30-acre facility will also provide parking, spectator seating, public restrooms, a trail system, and watercraft rental services.

visitWOKA.com

Construction on the WOKA whitewater park has begun and it is expected to open in 2023. Once completed, the park is estimated to generate over $900,000 of annual economic impact to the area and bring in around 85,000 visitors each year. ​For more information about WOKA, visit their website at www.visitwoka.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.