Parks & Recreation - Outdoors
Tulsa’s located in the area of Oklahoma designated “Green Country,” and the rolling hills and trees in summer bear that out. It’s also in an area with plenty of water available for water activities. Tulsans take full advantage of all these assets.
Several entities oversee a great deal of Tulsa’s green space. There are over 125 city parks covering approximately 6,000 acres. All this space, part of Tulsa Parks, includes 2 nature centers, a garden center, 21 swimming pools, 197 sports fields, 83 playgrounds, the River Skate Park (with River Parks), 69 picnic shelters, 11 community centers, hiking and biking trails, fitness facilities, gymnasiums, and 2 dog parks.
Tulsa River Parks manages parks and trails along the Arkansas River. The Tulsa County Parks Department oversees about 1,700 acres in Tulsa County, including LaFortune Park within the city limits of Tulsa.
Within the parks systems alone, there are myriad ways to have fun out of doors. Add to that the number of golf facilities, neighborhood parks, lakes, and, of course, the river itself, and you’ll find lots of places and ways to get fresh air, exercise, and have just plain fun.
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 9999 S. 49th W. Ave.
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 5501 S. Yale Ave.
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 5223 E. 41st St. North
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 6666 S. Union Ave.
5. Keystone Lake
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (918) 865-2621
Description: Like most of Oklahoma’s lakes, this 26,000-acre flood-control lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake. That means that shoreline building is severely restricted. The lake is noted for its wooded shoreline, sandy beaches, rolling hills, and rocky bluffs. There are 16 recreation areas around the lake, 11 boat ramps, 3 marinas, 2 off-road vehicle areas, 5 short-distance trails, and camping facilities ranging from primitive to full hookups. Boats can be rented at the Keyport Marina and Pier 51. Fish in the lake include striped bass, sand bass, black bass, lake-strain smallmouth bass, crappie, and catfish. There are two state parks on the lake. Lake activities include fishing, boating, swimming, and waterskiing. Keystone is about 15 miles west of Tulsa.
6. Oologah Lake
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (918) 443-2250
Description: This is one of Oklahoma’s premier sailing lakes, but activities also include fishing, picnicking, camping, and waterskiing. The lake covers 29,500 acres and has 14 boat ramps and 11 public-use areas. Five of the areas have full hookups, and three of these have dump stations. Boat rentals are available at Redbud Bay. Fisherfolk go after largemouth bass, white crappie, white bass, channel, flathead and blue catfish, bluegills, sandbass, walleye, and striped bass hybrids. The lake is about 30 minutes northeast of Tulsa.
7. Walnut Creek State Park
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (918) 865-4991
Description: This park has swimming beaches, boat ramps (both lighted and unlighted), a softball field, playground areas, picnic areas, and RV and tent camping. A 15-mile trail, the Sand Plum Trail, provides a variety of terrains and beautiful views of the lake. The trail is enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The equestrian campground has electrical hookups, water, picnic areas, grills, picket posts, and a comfort station.
8. City Hall
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 175 E. 2nd St.
Description: Since the city manages over 125 parks, they won’t all be named here! Below, you’ll find a couple of historically interesting parks, but city parks are referenced throughout this chapter according to activities they provide. And you’ll find a complete list of parks at the above Web site.
9. Centennial Park
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 1028 E. 6th St.
Description: At just over 11½ acres, this small park packs a lot of enjoyment into a small space. The landscaping, with an attractive pond, is stunning and there’s a short walking trail (about a half a mile). The community center here houses a seniors’ program and meeting rooms for community activities.
10. Creek Council Oak Park
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 1750 S. Cheyenne Ave.
Description: This spot is mentioned both in the History chapter and the Attractions chapter, so this may sound redundant. But it’s important. This is where a small band of Creek Indians, fresh from their Trail of Tears from Alabama, rekindled their tribal fire. There’s an ethno-botanical display with plants used by the Creeks for food, fiber, medicinal, and ceremonial purposes.
11. Mohawk Park
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 5701 E. 36th St. North
Description: At 3170 acres, Mohawk is the city’s largest park. It is the home of the Tulsa Zoo, two golf courses, and a nature center. In addition, there is a spray-ground, playground, playing fields, 9 miles of trails, and a disc golf course. The park has several picnic shelters and over 100 picnic tables. Bank fishing for bluegill, catfish, and bass is popular in Mohawk pond. Admission to the park is usually free, however, at certain peak times, a small admission fee is charged.
12. Owen Park
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 560 N. Maybelle St.
Description: Owen Park accidentally became Tulsa’s first park. On this site in 1904, a storage facility for explosives used at oil wells accidentally detonated, destroying the property and creating a giant crater. This eventually became Owen Lake, and townspeople gathered there regularly. The city purchased the property in 1909, creating Tulsa’s first official city park.Today there are play facilities for youngsters, basketball and tennis courts, and a recreation center. The oldest existing house in Tulsa was moved to the park property—a small 1880s cabin that was built at 400 North Cheyenne Ave. and belonged to a Methodist minister.The lake is still there—a nice piece of Tulsa history surrounded by huge trees, which makes a pleasant place to walk.
13. Woodward Park
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 2101 S. Peoria Ave.
Description: Another of Tulsa’s oldest parks, Woodward is a great place for strolling. In spring the azaleas paint a rocky hillside with color; in summer the roses in the Municipal Rose Garden attract many visitors, and fall brings attractive foliage. There is a playground and picnic shelter.
14. Haikey Creek Park
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (918) 369-5998
Description: This 151-acre county park straddles the city limits of Broken Arrow and Bixby. It features playground equipment accessible to children with disabilities, a jogging path and fitness court, softball fields, soccer fields, disc golf, and four lighted tennis courts. There are also picnic tables, grills, and picnic shelters.
15. Lafortune Park
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (918) 496-6220
Address: 5323 S. Yale Ave.
Description: The only one of the county parks located in the City of Tulsa, LaFortune is home to one of Tulsa’s most popular golf courses, which boasts both an 18-hole championship course and an 18-hole, lighted, par three course. In addition, there are 21 lighted tennis courts, a 5-kilometer lighted walking and jogging trail, a swimming pool, and croquet lawn. Plenty of parking is available at the park, and there are lots of spots for picnics.The park is also home to a community center, which offers classes in everything from smocking to quilting, painting to Pilates, and bridge to Zumba. A branch of the City-County Libraries occupies a portion of the complex. Summer evenings, folks bring blankets or lawn chairs for the popular—and free—First Friday Concert Series.