of green space and recreational amenities. It boasts walking trails, a nature play zone for kids, basketball and pickleball courts, an artificial turf soccer field and a futsal court. The two sections link via SkyDance Bridge, a 380foot pedestrian crossing over Interstate 40 with a 197foot sculpture made to echo Oklahoma’s state bird, the scissortailed flycatcher.
If you’re looking to spend time outside without joining a league, OKC has more than 170 parks, 100 miles of trails, community splash pads, and both indoor and outdoor pools. Recreation centers throughout the city offer additional programs, classes and activities. Athletic fields are also available to rent for team practices or private games, with rates based on field type and usage. To learn more or register for programs, visit okc.gov/departments/ parks-recreation. MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS Myriad Botanical Gardens offers a calm urban retreat on 15 acres in the heart of downtown OKC. The Gardens occupy prime real estate within walking distance of the OKC National Memorial, Scissortail Park, the Museum of Art and Bricktown. Visitors enjoy a children’s garden, a vintage carousel, shaded gardens, tree and shrub collections, a terraced lake, water features, offleash dog areas and a playground with adaptive equipment. The centerpiece is the Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory, a tropical and desert plant museum that reopened in late 2022 after a nearly twoyear, $11 million renovation. The overhaul added new paths, exhibits, accessibility upgrades, improved infrastructure, an expanded plant collection and a secondlevel terrace overlooking the conservatory. In 2015, the Urban Land Institute honored the Gardens with its Urban Open Space Award. Myriad hosts more than 400 events a year—including concerts, classes, festivals and seasonal displays—making it a vibrant community hub for both quiet reflection and lively gatherings. SCISSORTAIL PARK Scissortail Park encompasses 70 acres in total, with a 3.7acre lake. Scissortail complements Myriad Botanical Gardens, and together, they form a connected green corridor through downtown OKC, offering both lively public programming and serene natural escapes. In September 2019, OKC opened the Upper Park, a 40acre section of Scissortail Park, part of the city’s MAPS 3 initiative. The Upper Park includes a stage and great lawn for live music, a seasonal roller rink, a paddleboat pond, a restaurant, gardens and a children’s area. The Lower Park, which opened in September 2022, adds roughly 30 acres
THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOATHOUSE DISTRICT
OKC transformed its abandoned riverbed into a crown jewel for outdoor recreation. The Oklahoma River hosts a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training center for rowing and canoe/kayak. It features the only permanently lit paddle sport racing course in the world. Beginners and casual athletes can join corporate rowing leagues or take rowing classes to get involved. The Boathouse District also includes RIVERSPORT Rapids, an adventure park with whitewater rafting, kayaking, surfing, skiing and snowboarding. The district offers 14 miles of paved trails that connect to Lake Overholser, the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge and Lake Hefner, all northwest of downtown OKC. Visitors can also take the Oklahoma River Cruises, which provide boat trips connecting Bricktown with the historic Stockyards City.
28 Oklahoma City Official Welcome Guide
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