Collegiate sporting events OKC’s region is home to two Big-12 Conference universities with powerhouse sports teams. The University of Oklahoma Sooners play 20 miles south of Oklahoma City in Norman. The Oklahoma State University Cowboys call Stillwater home, which is an hour’s drive north of OKC. Closer to home, collegiate teams to cheer for include Oklahoma City University, Southern Nazarene University (in Bethany), Oklahoma Christian University and University of Central Oklahoma (both in Edmond). Myriad Botanical Gardens The 17-acre Myriad Botanical Gardens is a calm and peaceful urban retreat in the heart of Oklahoma City. The park offers a grand performance lawn, a children’s discovery garden, a dog park and many community and seasonal activities that take place throughout the year. In 2015, the Urban Land Institute awarded the Myriad Botanical Gardens its prestigious Urban Open Space Award. Scissortail Park In September 2019, Oklahoma City residents celebrated the opening of another MAPS 3 project, Scissortail Park. The 40-acre upper side has a stage for live music, a skating rink, a paddle boat pond, a restaurant and a children’s area. The south section is expected to open in 2021 and will be connected by the Scissortail Bridge. The programming of Myriad Gardens and Scissortail Park complements each other.
The Oklahoma City Boathouse District Oklahoma City transformed its abandoned riverbed into its crown jewel of outdoor recreation. Today, the Oklahoma River is home to an Olympic training venue for rowing and canoe/kayak and the only permanently lit paddle sport racing course in the world. Even beginners and casual athletes can enjoy the facility through corporate rowing leagues and rowing classes. The Oklahoma City Boathouse District is also home to RIVERSPORT Rapids, which includes whitewater rafting and kayaking as well as surfing, skiing and snowboarding. The district also includes 14 miles of paved trails that connect to Lake Overholser, the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge and Lake Hefner, which are all northwest of downtown Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma River is also home to the Oklahoma River Cruises, which offers connections to Bricktown and OKC’s historic Stockyards City. Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation The city’s parks department offers recreational sports leagues for adults and children throughout the year. For adults, the department has competitive and recreational basketball leagues for men and women. There are also men’s, women’s and co-ed softball leagues. Soccer stars can take the field in the OKC United FC soccer league. For those not into competitive sports, but still enjoy being outside, there are department-managed parks and splash pads throughout the city. More information about all the department’s programs can be found at okc.gov/ departments/parks-recreation.
Health & wellness
With miles of bicycle trails, Oklahoma City is a great place to train for your next event, whether it’s on two wheels or your own two legs. If you prefer a more laid-back activity, there are many public golf courses in the metro. When an emergency arises, you’re never too far from world-class medical care. Learn more about where to stay active and healthy at www.ABetterLifeOKC.com/health. Active Lifestyles With nearly 250 days of sunshine a year and a growing number of parks, trails and sporting activities, Oklahoma City is the perfect place to maintain an active lifestyle. Thanks to Oklahoma City’s emphasis on improving infrastructure and the community funding new wellness centers, sidewalks, trails and facilities, Oklahoma City has the quality of life that produces healthy, happy citizens. There are a myriad of ways you can enjoy outdoor activities in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City has 107 miles of cycling and running trails, with more planned. These trails and designated bike lanes total nearly 150 miles, which make it possible for bicycle commuters to travel all the way from northwest Oklahoma City to downtown on designated bike paths. Bluff Creek and Lake Stanley Draper, both located in Oklahoma City, have more than 15 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails. Three large lakes – Hefner, Draper and Overholser – provide outdoor recreational activities in and around each lake, including boating, fishing, biking and paved jogging trails and golf.
MAPS-funded senior health and wellness centers will soon occupy every quadrant of the city. Open to people ages 50 and up, the wellness centers include amenities to support and promote a healthy, active lifestyle, social interaction and overall quality of life for Oklahoma City adults. Two centers are already open and two more are on the way. The Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge at the north end of Lake Overholser is a pristine expanse of 1,000 acres. Hiking the area will put you in close contact to wildlife, not to mention beautiful views of lakes, bottomland forest and marshlands. The refuge’s trails can accommodate bicyclists or hikers. You can also rent kayaks or canoes and explore the North Canadian River/Oklahoma River through the refuge. The Oklahoma River, a seven-mile stretch of the North Canadian River that runs through the heart of Oklahoma City, offers world-class canoeing, kayaking and standup paddle boarding. Nearby, an Olympic-level whitewater kayaking facility at the Boathouse District provides whitewater training and fun for both athletes and amateurs. An Olympic-level whitewater kayaking facility at the Boathouse District provides whitewater training and fun for both athletes and amateurs. You can even try your hand at skiing or surfing on new simulators that recently opened in the Boathouse District
It’s easy and cheap to be a golfer in the OKC metro. The city has five public golf courses, with fees starting as low
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