GREAT PLACES
The City of El Reno offers a small town community feel with big amenities such as a historic downtown with a trolley, fun family events, historic homes and large new housing developments, all located close to OKC. Their upcoming Fried Onion Burger Day event on May 7 is a great opportunity to get to know El Reno. elrenook.gov In our first Great Places Guide , you’ll be introduced to our favorite area municipalities, attractions and organizations that make Oklahoma City “great!” We encourage you to learn more and take advantage of experiencing and exploring these places with your family. At MetroFamily, we know families are the backbone of our community — and that by developing strong families, we in turn create a strong, resilient community. In addition to providing local parents helpful resources around education, mental and physical health, child development and community engagement, we’re also committed to highlighting the best the metro has to offer in family fun because joyful play is a crucial element of family wellness. What are the three top reasons the Oklahoma City area is a top choice for raising a family? We posed that question to OKC Mayor David Holt, father of two, for his perspective: “The number one reason OKC is a great place to raise a family is that you can actually be with your family! Thanks to a family-first local culture and relatively low traffic for a large city, the city’s work-life balance favors family. Our cost of living allows families to live a higher quality of life at home and enjoy more attractions and dining around the city. And OKC is a great place to raise a family because of the ever- growing number of family-friendly attractions. The Oklahoma City Zoo, RIVERSPORT, Scissortail Park, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, First Americans Museum, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma Contemporary and Science Museum Oklahoma are just a few examples of a city that families can enjoy year after year.”
The City of Yukon is known for its wonderful family events, including the upcoming Festival of the Child on May 7 and Freedom Fest on July 3 & 4. The active parks department, vibrant downtown and high- ranking schools make Yukon a great place to live, play and shop. yukonok.gov
Edmond Parks and Recreation not only offers an extensive array of outdoor fun opportunities through their 26 city parks, they also host farmers markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the spring and summer; skill-building classes for kids and adults; and other family fun events such as movie nights and outdoor skill classes. edmondparks.com Edmond’s Arcadia Lake provides water recreation fun, fishing, disk golf, pavilions, beaches, miles of walking, biking and equestrian trails, camping, picnic areas and more. Events such as their Storybook Forest trick-or-treat trail in October and Eagle Watch in January give families many reasons to enjoy this lake area. edmondok.gov/338/Arcadia-Lake Family fun abounds through the City of OKC Parks Department with their extensive park system, 100 miles of trails, nine recreation centers, nature preserve, five pools and/or aquatic centers, 17 spray grounds and numerous events and activities offered for kids and youth. okc.gov/departments/parks- recreation With several branches in the metro area and Chickasha, Guthrie and Stillwater, YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City creates community around helping people of all ages enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Among their offerings are before- and after-school care for kids, summer day camps, sports leagues, swim lessons and Miracle League baseball for kids with special needs. ymcaokc.org
Midwest City is full of athletic opportunities, trails to explore, spacious parks and fun events year-round! This summer, splash around at the Reno Swim & Slide or enjoy music and movies in the park. Find more family-friendly fun at MidwestCityOK.org
42 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAY-JUNE 2022
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