All playgrounds and sport courts in Oklahoma City have been ordered closed to stop the spread of COVID-19, but reports continue to pour in of parents and children ignoring the closures and even removing signs and barriers. “Closing playgrounds is one of the most painful decisions our City has made during the coronavirus pandemic, but […]
Doug Kupper
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Park support
Neighborhood parks across Oklahoma City could see improved facilities and programming if the measure is approved by voters. Former councilman Ed Shadid spearheaded the initiative to get the proposal on a city ballot. It came in response to the MAPS program, which focuses on capital improvements over maintenance and operations. Former councilman Pete White, a […]
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Park milestone
The rebirth of Manuel Perez Park has officially begun. Last week, city leaders hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the 27-acre park, which will span several blocks east from S. Robinson Avenue along the Oklahoma River. “The community has been behind this to get this recognition but also to work with the city to get funding, […]
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Project proposals
Members of Oklahoma City Council spent more than 10 hours hearing presentations on MAPS 4 proposals last week. On Tuesday, council heard presentations on Palomar Family Justice Center; parks; sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights; and Freedom Center. On Thursday, presentations were on youth centers, beautification, State Fair coliseum, senior wellness centers and an animal […]
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Park money
An initiative petition to establish a dedicated fund for neighborhood parks was filed last week. Led by former councilman Ed Shadid, the petition would enact a 1/8th of a cent excise tax earmarked for park programming, capital improvements and operations. If passed, the tax would generate about $14 million in additional funding for Parks & […]
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Chicken-Fried News: Parks & Weather
Oklahoma meteorologists catch a lot of flack when they get their forecasts wrong, but it seems like the state has a new team to rely on for the most accurate information. Last week, Greg Howell of Oklahoma City’s Parks & Recreation department posted a Facebook video in which he gave a live weather report with […]
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Hero’s honor
Nearly 30 acres of riverfront parkland will get more than a million dollars in upgrades and be named after a local war hero. Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation department is taking bids on the new Manuel Perez Park along the Oklahoma River. Manuel Perez Jr. was born in Oklahoma City and is a World War […]
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Changing hands
Civic Center Music Hall has been linked to the City of Oklahoma City for decades, but the city’s relationship with the venue will likely soon shift from operational manager to hands-off landlord. In June, Oklahoma City Council is expected to approve handing over general venue operations from the city to the nonprofit Civic Center Foundation, […]
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SoSA neighbors, Midtown businesses and the local government work together to ready Red Andrews Park renovations
SoSA is the term for the revitalized neighborhood developing south of St. Anthony Hospital.
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Chicken-Fried News: Bricktown bounty
The city’s parks department is draining and cleaning the Bricktown Canal, and there’s no telling what they will find.