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Keystone Ancient Forest opens Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

Keystone Ancient Forest opens Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center

• Sharon Bishop-Baldwin
• Apr 10, 2021
• Apr 10, 2021 Updated May 19, 2022
• 0

1 of 5

Brad Frank (center) prepares to cut the ribbon on the $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs on Friday. The facility is named in memory of his parents. With him (from left) are May Sheehan, president of the Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation; Elizabeth Hall, representing the Sanford and Irene Burnstein Foundation; Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department Director Jeff Edwards; and Sand Springs Community Development Director Grant Gerondale.

• Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Sand Springs Leader

The new Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center beckons weary hikers to take a brief respite around the fire and soak in the beauty of the surrounding Keystone Ancient Forest.

• Stephen Pingry, Tulsa World

The $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center is made of glass and steel but looks right at home in this forest of ancient cross timbers.

• Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Sand Springs Community Development Director Grant Gerondale, a primary driver of the visitor center project, speaks Friday about all the partners who joined forces to bring the $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest to fruition.

• Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

May Sheehan, president of the Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation, speaks at Friday's ribbon-cutting about Irv Frank's support for the $1 million visitor center that bears his name at the Keystone Ancient Forest.

• Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest

Location: Take U.S. 412 west and exit at 209th West Avenue. Go north two miles. The Keystone Ancient Forest entrance is on the left.

Hours: Open hiking hours are 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Pets: Dogs are allowed on trails the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month.

Cost: Free.

For more: Hike dates are subject to change due to weather. See the Keystone Ancient Forest’s Facebook page for current updates.

Related content

'Evolving into a world-class hiking destination': Keystone Ancient Forest adds trail, visitor center

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Sharon Bishop-Baldwin

Brad Frank, a son of Irv and Sharna Frank, cuts the ribbon to open the new Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs on Friday, April 9, 2021, while elected officials, city leaders and donors hold the ribbon.

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Photos: Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

The new Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center beckons weary hikers to take a brief respite around the fire and soak in the beauty of the surrounding Keystone Ancient Forest.

Stephen Pingry, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Sand Springs Mayor James O. "Jim" Spoon welcomes visitors on Friday, April 9, 2021, to the ribbon cutting for the Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department Director Jeff Edwards speaks at the ribbon-cutting on the Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest on Friday, April 9, 2021.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Sand Springs Community Development Director Grant Gerondale said at the ribbon-cutting for the $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest on Friday, April 9, 2021: "We come here to celebrate" the visitor center "and place it into public service."

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Sand Springs Community Development Director Grant Gerondale thanks the many project partners who played roles in the realization of the Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest on Friday, April 9, 2021.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Sand Springs Community Development Director Grant Gerondale speaks about all the partners who joined forces to bring to fruition the $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs on Friday, April 9, 2021.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Sand Springs City Manager Mike Carter speaks about the love behind the project at the ribbon-cutting on the Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest on Friday, April 9, 2021.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

May Sheehan, president of the Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation, speaks about Irv Frank's support for the $1 million visitor center that bears his name at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs on Friday, April 9, 2021.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

May Sheehan accepts an award on behalf of the Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation from Sand Springs Mayor Jim Spoon (center) and Grant Gerondale, community development director for the city, at the ribbon cutting on Friday, April 9, 2021, for the $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Brad Frank speaks about his parents, Irv and Sharna Frank, at the ribbon-cutting for the $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs on Friday, April 9, 2021.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Brad Frank (center) prepares to cut the ribbon on the $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs on Friday. The facility is named in memory of his parents. With him (from left) are May Sheehan, president of the Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation; Elizabeth Hall, representing the Sanford and Irene Burnstein Foundation; Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department Director Jeff Edwards; and Sand Springs Community Development Director Grant Gerondale.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Brad Frank (third from right), a son of Irvin and Sharna Frank, cuts the ribbon on Friday, April 9, 2021, to open the new Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs as a host of dignitaries including Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department Director Jeff Edwards (second from right) and city Community Development Director Grant Gerondale (right) hold the ribbon.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Sharna and Irvin Frank's children were recognized for honoring their parents' commitment to the Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs, which was dedicated on Friday, April 9, 2021.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

The $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center is made of glass and steel but looks right at home in this forest of ancient cross timbers.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

An array of decals can be purchased at the new Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest. All of the proceeds will go right back into improvements at the KAF.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Patches are among the items for sale in the new Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

T-shirts and sweatshirts advertising the Keystone Ancient Forest can be purchased at the preserve's new $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

Thomas Forbes became the Keystone Ancient Forest's first full-time employee in December 2020. He said the new Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center represents "a new beginning at the forest."

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

Keystone Ancient Forest visitor center dedication

A sign inside the new Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest pays tribute to all those whose support helped make the dream a reality.

Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

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Keystone Ancient Forest

Location: Take U.S. 412 west and exit at 209th West Avenue. Go north two miles. The Keystone Ancient Forest entrance is on the left.

Hours: Open hiking hours are 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Pets: Dogs are allowed on trails the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month.

Cost: Free.

For more: Hike dates are subject to change due to weather. See the Keystone Ancient Forest’s Facebook page for current updates.

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Sharon Bishop-Baldwin

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Brad Frank (center) prepares to cut the ribbon on the $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest west of Sand Springs on Friday. The facility is named in memory of his parents. With him (from left) are May Sheehan, president of the Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation; Elizabeth Hall, representing the Sanford and Irene Burnstein Foundation; Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department Director Jeff Edwards; and Sand Springs Community Development Director Grant Gerondale.

• Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Sand Springs Leader

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The new Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center beckons weary hikers to take a brief respite around the fire and soak in the beauty of the surrounding Keystone Ancient Forest.

• Stephen Pingry, Tulsa World

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The $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center is made of glass and steel but looks right at home in this forest of ancient cross timbers.

• Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

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Sand Springs Community Development Director Grant Gerondale, a primary driver of the visitor center project, speaks Friday about all the partners who joined forces to bring the $1 million Irv and Sharna Frank Visitor Center at the Keystone Ancient Forest to fruition.

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May Sheehan, president of the Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation, speaks at Friday's ribbon-cutting about Irv Frank's support for the $1 million visitor center that bears his name at the Keystone Ancient Forest.

• Mary Bishop-Baldwin, Tulsa World

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