Local Family Fun Ignite your family’s Olympic spirit in OKC Fun and affordable activities for all ages BY LINDSAY CUOMO . PHOTOS PROVIDED.
The 2024 summer Olympic games are being held in Paris, France, but those of us in Oklahoma can find fun and creative ways to try out some of the sports we’ll be streaming, right here in the metro. Whether you’re looking to try something new or want to create your
own backyard games, we’ve got the insider scoop on local activities and ideas that will get your family moving and having fun. Try the novice versions of these Olympic sports at locales around the metro.
Archery According to Olympics.com , archery is one of the oldest sports and made its Olympic debut in 1900. It was reintroduced in 1972 after a 52-year hiatus. The first recorded tournament took place in China over 3,000 years ago. OKC Parks and Recreation offers an archery for beginners class for ages 10 & up. The one-hour course held at Martin Park Nature Center focuses on safety and skill development. Equipment is provided, including bows and arrows. They also host archery games for adults. Learn more at okc. gov/departments/parks-recreation .
Cycling Cycling has been an Olympic sport since the first games in 1896. Today, cycling covers five disciplines with 11 different events, including road cycling, track cycling, BMX racing, BMX freestyle and mountain biking.
Get your family in on the action by visiting one of the many biking trails in the metro. Oklahoma City has nearly 100 miles of multi- use trails! SCIP Recreational Trail at Soldier Creek Industrial Park in Midwest City and The Kelly Farm & Bike Trails in Yukon are great for beginners. Arcadia Lake and Lake Hefner are popular cycling destinations offering paved trails with picturesque views. RIVERSPORT’s bike park has a mountain bike skills course plus three world-class mountain bike/ BMX courses. The park, which serves as a hub for the Greenway River Trails, is open to the public except for select times. Learn more at riversportokc.org . Creekside Bike Park in southeast Norman features various bike amenities for a variety of skill levels, including off-road trails, a technical skills area and a children’s biking playground.
FUN FACT: France holds the most gold medals in
cycling, while Great Britain has earned the most total cycling medals at 100. The United States has 60.
18 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / JULY-AUGUST 2024
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