Over the last few years, an important partnership has been created between the Phillips 66 Ponca City Refinery and the Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. By joining forces, Phillips 66 has been able to provide both grant dollars and volunteer hours to aid and support the Corp of Engineers with numerous projects around Kaw Lake that otherwise would not be possible.

Most recently and completed March 2, was the last portion of the Eagle View Trail project. The Ponca City Refinery’s Veterans Network provided a team of volunteers who came together for a workday at the Eagle View Trail entrance. The result was an incredible enhancement that now features a defined parking area with pipe railing fencing and a beautiful overhead sign.

Veterans Network members who participated in this project included Lowry Blakeburn (Philips 66 retiree), Tracy Bruffett, Connor Coats, Le Coats, Greg Ingels, Michael Mattera, and Mark Roblyer. Lead by Michael Mattera, the team met for breakfast at a local restaurant before beginning their volunteer workday. The work completed included building the pipe railing, auguring holes, filling concrete, cutting the posts, and welding the top rail to the posts. Having a team of skilled laborers certainly made a difference in completing a project like this. A special thanks was extended to Greg Ingels for the use of his welding rig.

“Providing energy and improving lives isn’t just something we say, it is something we do,” said Erin Liberton, Community Relations Coordinator for Phillips 66. “Partnering with Kaw Lake to help ensure the facilities are safe is right in line with Phillips 66 priority of safety. We’re excited about enhancing the lake and wildlife areas so that they can be enjoyed for years. We have more planned in the future to partner with the Corp in the Kaw Lake area. More great things are to come.”