The City of Tulsa manages 125 parks covering roughly 6,000 acres including nature centers, golf courses, Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum, Tulsa Garden Center, 21 swimming pools, 197 sports fields, 83 playgrounds, 109 tennis courts, 28 water playgrounds, The River SkatePark, 69 picnic shelters, 11 community centers, fitness facilities, gymnasiums, meeting rooms and facilities, trails and more.
2008 Summer Fun Guide
The 2008 Summer Fun Guide listing Tulsa Parks classes, day camps, youth, adult, senior and other programs is now available online. Just click here or on the Fun Guide to the right and you'll be taken to this complete guide to Tulsa Parks programs scheduled June through August.
Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open this page. This free program can be downloaded by visiting Adobe at: www.adobe.com.
If you would like for us to mail you a copy of the 2008 Summer Fun Guide, please call us at 596-PARK (7275) or e-mail us at: tulsaparks@cityoftulsa.org
2008 neighborfest to include talent competition
Neighborfest is a fun-filled series of neighborhood-focused “block parties,” one in each Council District, co-hosted by the Mayor and the Councilor for the district. The parties will focus on community-building and revitalizing the community spirit, bringing together neighborhoods, local businesses, churches and civic groups.
The goal is to create a family reunion, picnic type atmosphere, where neighbors can chat, mingle and build relationships. Since Neighborfest began in 2006, thousands of Tulsans have participated and their response has been overwhelming!
In 2008, nine parties will be held in City parks Tuesday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. between May 27 and August 5.
This year’s Neighborfest will be highlighted with a Talent Competition featuring local amateurs performing live on stage and will be hosted by jazz guitarist and former OU and NBA basketball star Wayman Tisdale and his wife Regina. To enter the competition, performers must submit an application. Talent finalists will perform at the last Neighborfest on Aug. 5 where prizes will be awarded. Also, in an effort to make Tulsa healthier, there will be a fitness element at each Neighborfest. Stay tuned for more details!
At the end of the summer, the last Neighborfest also features the Mayor’s “Back to School Rally” motivating Tulsa youth to get ready for the first day of school (August 5th).
2008 Neighborfest Schedule:
May 27, Whiteside Park, 4009 S. Pittsburg Ave., Councilor G. T. Bynum, District 9
June 10, Clark Park, 11440 E. Admiral Blvd., Councilor Dennis Troyer, District 6
June 17, Langenheim Park, 4701 S. Harvard, Councilor John Eagleton, District 7
July 1, McClure Park, 7440 E. 7th St., Councilor David Patrick, District 3
July 8, Hunter Park, 5804 E. 91st St., Councilor Bill Christiansen, District 8
July 15, Reed Park, 4233 S. Yukon, Councilor Rick Westcott, District 2
July 22, Hicks Park, 3443 S. Mingo Rd., Councilor Bill Martinson, District 5
July 29, Lacy Park, 2134 N. Madison Pl., Councilor Jack Henderson, District 1
August 5, Veterans Park, 1875 S. Boulder Ave., Councilor Eric Gomez, District 4
Hershey’s Track & Field Games set for May 10
The Hershey’s Track & Field Games, designed for youths 9 to 14 years old, will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 9 a.m., at East Central High School (12150 E. 11th). Tulsa Parks is organizing the regional event described as both ‘fun and healthy.’
For over 30 years, the Hershey Youth Program has involved millions of youngsters from all 50 states and Canada. Included in the competition are the 50-, 100-, 200- and 400- meter dashes; 4 x 100 meter relay, and 800- and 1600- meter runs. There will also be events in the standing long jump and softball throw. A non-competitive “Hershey Miniatures” race will allow children age 9 and younger to participate in a 50-meter fun dash.
For more information and entry form, click here. For a schedule of events, click here.
'Splash of tennis' program to be held at reed park
A great way to give your kids a
splash of tennis skills. Along with
the equipment they receive, they
will learn the basic tennis
strokes, how to keep score and play
some fun tennis practice games.
Bring a sack lunch and then it’s
off for an hour of cool pool time
after each day‘s lesson! Tuesday - Friday, June 24 - 27, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
$76 per child / ages 7-13.
Fee includes a junior-size tennis racquet or equipment
bag, a can of tennis balls and
a T-shirt.
Sign up at any Tulsa Parks
Community Center.
For more information
Call Kevin: 596-7851. Enroll early!
Tulsa Parks Now hiring lifeguards & day camp leaders
Tulsa Parks is now taking applications for summer Lifeguard and Day Camp Leader positions. Completed applications can be faxed to 596-2530 or mailed/dropped by 1710 Charles Page Blvd., Tulsa, OK 74127.
Lifeguard positions pay is $7.61 and $8.40 per hour.
To qualify, an applicant must have a Lifeguard Certification through American Red Cross (www.tulsaredcross.org) or YMCA. Enrollment for Lifeguard Certification classes has already started. Applicants must be at least 16 years old. City pools will open starting May 31. For a printable brochure with more information, click here.
Day Camp Leader positions start at $7.29 per hour with a 40 hour work week. Several sites are available.
Day camps are offered from May 27 - August 8. For more information, click here.
Spend your summer working with great people, great kids and having the time of your life!
City of tulsa pools kick off season at 'beach bash'
Kick off the swim season at the 9th Annual Beach Bash, Saturday, May 31, 12-3 p.m. at McClure Pool, 7th Street & Memorial Drive. It’s wet ‘n’ wild fun to celebrate the start of summer. Enjoy entertainment, games, food, and fun with a distinctive “beachside” flavor. Take a plunge down the giant water slide, discover scuba, sign up for prizes or just kick back, hang ten and enjoy the afternoon. Radio Disney will be on site with music, games, and contests.
For a complete listing of summer aquatic programs including learn-to-swim lessons, Swimeroo, Kids Triathlon, K-9 Splash, lap swim, and general pool information, click here.
Tulsa Parks now offering new 50+ Programs
Concentrating on Tulsa’s fastest growing demographic, Tulsa Parks has begun offering health and wellness programs for those ages 50 years and older. Newly hired Jennifer O’Leary will serve as Program Planner for this exciting and latest addition to the Tulsa Parks recreation program.
Headquartered at the highly acclaimed Central Community Center at Centennial Park (1028 East 6th Street), the Chair Exercise class has already started. Jennifer also serves as editor of a new newsletter, “Forever Fit 50+”, designed for men and women who are interested in learning about a variety of topics specifically designed to improve the health and fitness of those in this demographic. To view the newsletter, just click here.
“This is such an exciting time for Tulsa Parks and a great opportunity for this age group to have fun, get fit, and meet people,” says O’Leary. “Other programs include bowling, tennis, and a Lunch-n-Learn series where once a month people can bring their lunch and learn about health and wellness topics from a guest speaker.”
The Lunch-n-Learn sessions are free. There is a minimal fee for exercise classes.
For more information, participants should call the Central Community Center at 596-1444.
council oak tree designated centennial 'witness tree'
The historic Council Oak tree that marks Tulsa’s birth as a community has been selected by the State of Oklahoma as an official “Witness Tree” as part of the state’s centennial celebration. The Council Oak is in Council Oak Park located at 18th Street and Cheyenne Ave.
“We are proud to have the Council Oak Tree designated as an official Witness Tree,” said Mayor Kathy Taylor. “This tree has indeed stood as a symbol of our heritage and history. Oklahoma has much to celebrate in this centennial year, and ‘witness tree’ is a fitting designation for this celebration.”
The Witness Tree Project is a joint effort of The Tree Bank Foundation, the Forestry Services of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and The Oklahoma Centennial Commission. According to Becky Durrett, Vice President of The Tree Bank, “The purpose of the Centennial Witness Tree project is to find trees which ‘witnessed’ Oklahoma statehood in 1907 and also to locate the first trees planted by Oklahoma settlers.”
Trees eligible for the Witness Tree Project must have an estimated age of more than one hundred years and stand within the boundaries of the state of Oklahoma. Each Witness Tree will be registered on an official list and the owner will receive an Oklahoma Centennial Commission certificate. Descriptions of the tree’s historical significance or any special interest stories about the Witness Trees will be compiled and published in a commemorative booklet.
The Creek Council tree, a mature post oak, marks the traditional "ceremonial ground" chosen in 1836 by the Lochapoka clan of the Creek Indians. In 1834, they had begun their involuntary migration from Alabama under the control of the U.S. government. The Tulsa-Lochapoka, a division of the Creek Nation, established their “town” on this site.
The park is often referred to as Tulsa's first City Hall. As late as 1896 the Tulsa-Lochapoka gathered here for ceremonies, feasts and games. Today, commemorative tribal ceremonies are held each year. The park is protected by Historic Preservation zoning and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Tulsa Parks Named "Top 10" Chapter by NYSCA
Of the approximately 3,000 communities who utilize the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA), Tulsa Parks has the distinct honor of being one of the most active chapters. In 2006 Tulsa Parks trained 922 volunteer coaches through the NYSCA, a rather impressive feat that distinguishes them as one of the top 10 biggest chapters of the NYSCA – an organization that has trained more than 2 million coaches since 1981.
An NYSCA chapter since 1990, Tulsa Parks consistently ranks among the community leaders in terms of number of coaches trained annually. "Administration has embraced it [NYSCA] since day one, and wholeheartedly believe in it,” said Sue Price, youth sports coordinator for Tulsa Parks.
To read the complete story about Tulsa Parks on the NYSCA website, go to: http://www.nays.org/IntMain_News.cfm?Cat=6&Story=785
Tulsa Parks has a rich and eventful history traversing almost a century in time.
For more information on Tulsa Parks from 1909 to the present day,
click here.
