USA SOFTBALL COMPLEX The National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum, the headquarters of the governing body of USA Softball, is located in Oklahoma City. The adjoining USA Hall of Fame Stadium Complex, home to the OGE Energy Field, is the site of the NCAA Division I Women’s College World Series. The complex also hosts other collegiate-level softball championships, as well as national and international men’s softball tournaments. The University of Oklahoma women’s softball team recently captured its sixth national title by defeating their Red River rivals, the Texas Longhorns, during the 2022 Women’s College World Series. 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 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, has been undergoing a complete renovation and is expected to reopen in fall 2022. 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 2022 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 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. 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.
30 Oklahoma City Official Welcome Guide 2022
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