COLLEGIATE SPORTING EVENTS OKC’s region is home to two major 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 the 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, vintage carousel, water features, children’s discovery garden, 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. The Garden's centerpiece, the Crystal Bridge Conservatory, recently completed an $11 million renovation. SCISSORTAIL PARK In September 2019, Oklahoma City residents celebrated the opening of another MAPS 3 project, Scissortail Park. The 40-acre Upper Park has a stage for live music, a skating rink, a paddle boat pond, a restaurant and a children’s area. The Lower Park, which opened in September 2022, has a walking trail, nature area for kids, basketball and pickleball courts, artificial turf soccer field and futsal court. It is connected to the Upper Park by SkyDance Bridge, a 380-foot-long pedestrian bridge with a 197-foot-tall sculpture. The programming of Myriad Gardens and Scissortail Park complements each other.
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, softball, baseball, pickleball and soccer leagues. 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.
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 a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training venue for rowing and canoe/kayak and the only permanently lit paddle sport racing course in the world.
28 Oklahoma City Official Welcome Guide 2024
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