Sand Springs is a city located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is a suburb of Tulsa, Oklahoma and is located predominantly in Tulsa County, with some areas of the city situated in Osage County to the North. The population was 17,451 within the city limits at the 2000 census. Included the unincorporated areas the population is approximately 45,000. The city was founded by Oklahoma philanthropist Charles Page. He envisioned Sand springs as a haven for orphans and widows. He helped found and develop Sand Springs as a model city that included all components of a total community. Today, Sand Springs is ripe with growth and development due to its strategic location near downtown Tulsa and proximity to cultural and recreational opportunities. Numerous private and governmental projects are currently underway to morph Sand Springs from a historically-rich bedroom community into a progressive and complete community.