After a quarantined spring and early summer, you won’t need to ask friends and family if they’re ready to get out of the house and spend some time outdoors. One simple way to accomplish that is to take advantage of the great city parks in Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma City parks are back open and ready for our residents to start using again,” says Douglas Kupper, OKC’s director of Parks and Recreation. “Our park system has just about every activity a resident would want to participate in, from fishing lakes to golf, fitness trails to fitness courts and nature centers to family aquatic centers.”
Kupper adds that Oklahoma City is grateful to have over 170 parks that residents can “rediscover” within its city limits. For more information and a detailed listing, go to okc.gov/parks.
Just a few items can turn your park trip into an engaging outdoor adventure. A magnifying glass can change any outing into a science quest as family members search for insects, rocks and leaves. Or, bring a bucket and a small ball to have a family contest on who can make the most baskets.
If children are a little older, plan a nature photo contest at the park. Everyone can take turns with the camera or smartphone and the winner gets a small prize; perhaps no chores for a day or two or a framed copy of his or her photo as a reminder of the win.
Photo courtesy Scissortail Park
Other fun items for the park can include the tried and true plastic discs, jump ropes, walkie talkies or bubble soap. If all family members are ardent readers, take your current books, a large blanket and a picnic lunch and enjoy the great outdoors.
“We look forward to an active summer and want our residents to feel free again,” says Kupper. “But we also want them to remain safe by following the guidance of our governor and Mayor Holt as we reactivate this great city and region we live in.”
If you’re looking for a splash pad to cool off on these hot summer days, the city of Broken Arrow boasts six such recreational sites. With walking trails, an aquatic center and Rose West dog park, this suburb of Tulsa has something for everyone.
“Broken Arrow has some of the best parks, recreation centers and amenities in the region and the state,” says Matthew Hendren, the city’s director of Parks and Recreation. “I would encourage anyone who has not visited one of our parks, or who is not familiar with what Broken Arrow’s park’s system has to offer, to visit baparks.org to check out our park locator tool.”
The interactive app allows users to virtually check out Broken Arrow’s park system to find just the right fit.
If your family is lucky enough to have your own outdoor space, try flying a drone, decorating the driveway with sidewalk chalk or creating a bicycle obstacle course. After all, it’s summer, Oklahoma!
