Parks & Recreation - Sports And Recreation
This chapter is devoted to fun—fun in the sun, fun in the water, and fun with games, be they played or watched. In this chapter you will find four different categories of fun activities to enjoy—casinos, participation sports, spectator sports, and parks and recreation.
In the “Casinos” section below, you will learn that there is one casino, Remington Park, within the Oklahoma City limits. Most Oklahoma City residents travel to casinos at the edges of the county to play games. These casinos are within 30 to 45 minutes driving time, so I have listed those for you.
In the “Participation Sports” section, you will find sports activities that you can take part in. Participation sports are hot around Oklahoma City. Leagues in tennis and bowling play throughout the year. Many tournaments are held and whether you are a novice or seasoned player, there is a league for you.
If you like to play golf, Oklahoma City has a number of public courses. People drive in from all across the state for a round. Rates vary according to the time of the year. Because Oklahoma observes daylight savings time, many courses in Oklahoma City extend twilight time during the summer, something you may want to consider when temperatures soar above 95 degrees.
Oklahoma City is fast becoming popular for its professional teams and the “Spectator Sports” section covers professional and college teams that play at home in Oklahoma City or nearby. The Thunder, Blazers, Redhawks, and Yard Dawgz make their homes downtown. While the Redhawks have quite a history here, the Thunder is a new franchise steadily gaining its legs. In addition to the pro teams, Oklahoma City has several college teams that keep Oklahoma City suburbs in the spotlight. The Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys are located in Norman and Stillwater, respectively, but Oklahoma City residents support these teams and follow them on television or radio whenever they play.
With Oklahoma City’s hot summers, many will be looking for places to cool off. While Oklahoma City lakes may fit the bill, the city has a number of parks with swimming pools and spraygrounds located in neighborhoods. Under the “Parks and Recreation” section, you will find those lakes and city parks listed. I have included five lakes that sit in or near Oklahoma City. Fishermen or water enthusiasts can run out to these lakes for an afternoon and be home before dark. As for parks, Oklahoma City maintains over 200, Norman over 55, and Edmond over 25 There was no way to include them all, so only a sampling is given space here. Contact information for park and recreation departments is included so you can visit the Web sites or call for more information.
Whether you intend to go to a lake, a park, or an outdoor game, keep Oklahoma City’s environment in mind. June, July, and Aug are body melters. Temperatures in July and Aug have been known to go over 100 degrees. Apply sunscreen often and drink plenty of nonalcoholic beverages, like water or Gatorade. Remember too that many lake attractions near the city fill up quickly on weekends and holidays, so make your plans early.
This chapter is intended to get you started. Try these places and then explore to find your favorite thing to do and place to go. Enjoy and remember to have fun.
1. Firelake Casino
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (405) 878-4862
Address: 41207 Hardesty Rd.
Description: Open since May 2003, this casino is owned and operated by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. It is located 25 minutes east of Oklahoma City. There are over 800 games here including slots, poker, blackjack, craps, and bingo. Average payout depends on play. Players win jackpots here regularly. On Aug 16, 2009, the casino had a jackpot winner of over $23,000.Guests can find food at the Bistro Buffet and buy their favorite drinks from the Lucky 7’s Bar. The casino offers gaming specials throughout the week, the New Players Club, and the Player Reward Program. Smoking and nonsmoking areas are available. The casino is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 777 Grand Casino Blvd.
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 1 Remington Place
4. Riverwind Casino
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (405) 322-6000
Address: 1544 W. State Highway 9
Description: This premiere casino opened in 2006. It is located just south of Norman, off I-35, 30 minutes from downtown Oklahoma City. Owned by the Chickasaw Nation, it is 200,000 square feet of fun and excitement. There are 2,300 games, 55 poker and blackjack card tables, an off-track betting lounge, the state’s largest buffet, fast-food restaurants, fine-dining restaurants, and an 1,500 seat theater.Past performers have been Merle Haggard, the Four Tops, Lee Ann Womack, Michael Bolton, and Glen Campbell. In Oct 2008, the casino won the Best Casino Award in the Oklahoman Reader’s Choice Awards and was voted Friendliest Casino by Oklahoma Gazette readers.The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visitors must be 18 years old or older to play here.
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 301 S. Bryant, Ste. A-500
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 211 N. Robinson, Ste. 250
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 500 E. Main
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 11917 N. Pennsylvania
9. Windsor Lanes Bowling
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (405) 942-5545
Address: 4600 NW 23rd St.
Description: Windsor Lanes Bowling offers 40 lanes and you can bring your own shoes and balls or rent from the center. Leagues play here so you might want to call ahead and ask about the best times to visit. This facility does not offer bowling classes. There is a snack bar that serves pizza, cheeseburgers, quesadillas, and more. Beer, wine, and mixed drinks are also served here. Hours are Sun through Thurs from noon to 10 p.m. and Fri and Sat from noon to 1 a.m.
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 500 Willow Pine Dr.
11. Brookside
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (405) 632-9666
Address: 9016 S. Shields Blvd.
Description: This nine-hole course is a good one for seniors and beginners. It has water hazards on six holes and sloping greens. Course yardage from the men’s white regular tees is 2,543 and par is 34/35. The most scenic hole at this course is number 3. The most popular is 7 and the most difficult is 8.Shirts and soft spike shoes are required. There is a driving range and putting green. No tee times are used here. It is an open, walk-on course. Golfers may ride, but it is an easy walk. Green fees are daily fees. They are $12 until noon and $11 after noon on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, fees are $13 until noon and $12 after noon.
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 1350 Cobblestone Creek Dr.
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 4000 N. Kelley Ave.
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 11600 S. Portland Ave.
15. James E. Stewart Golf Course
City: Oklahoma City, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (405) 424-4353
Address: 824 Frederick Douglass Ave.
Description: This is a nine-hole golf course. It was redesigned by Randy Heckenkemper and reopened in 1999. Par is 35 and the course yardage from the regular tees is 3,105. Hole number 8 is the most scenic with a par 5 and water hazard down the right side and fronting the green. Four holes have water hazards and nine holes have bunkers. There is a driving range, chipping green, restaurant, and pro shop here. Lessons are available.Guests may bring their own cart. Shoes, soft spikes only, and shirts must be worn. Open year-round, the course is open to the public unless a tournament is scheduled. Tee times are available one week in advance. Green fee for nine holes is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $2 for juniors, under 18 and in high school.