Code for Tulsa, an official brigade of Code for America, is making a name for Tulsa in computer programming circles around the nation. The group uses open data from the city — public records in programmer format that is now offered freely on the city of Tulsa’s website — combined with other data sources to create apps.

The apps are designed to engage residents in government, while also providing city services that otherwise wouldn’t be available.

Some app ideas that are now available for design include something as simple as mapping walking trails across Tulsa or notifying residents when any planning change is made to their neighborhood.

Code for Tulsa got its foot in City Hall’s door with the help of Councilor G.T. Bynum.

“These are the kind of folks that you want to keep in Tulsa,” Bynum said. “

And if they’re civic minded and want to do things that help Tulsa … it’s imperative that we provide ways that they can use these extremely unique skills.”

Bynum said groups like Code for Tulsa are opening the doors and conceptualizing the programs that the city of Tulsa or other groups with better funding could back to modernize Tulsa.