Oklahoma City
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Local Park Tour
After getting stiffed by my so-called “trusty” intern in Edmond, I decided to head down to the heart of Oklahoma City to Will Rogers Park. Specifically to the Charles E. Sparks Rose Garden, located within the park’s boundaries.  Named in honor of a long-time Oklahoma City Parks Department employee, this 2 acre rose garden is home to about 3000 bushes representing more than 100 varieties of roses. The garden was planted in 1938 by the Oklahoma Rose Society and, until the 1970’s, was one of the Nation’s largest rose gardens. In 1932, Parks Department employee Henry Walters assumed oversight of what is now Will Rogers Park. He is credited with transforming the former dairy farm into the modern-day cultural oasis that now occupies the site. With a world-class tennis center, public swimming pool and spraygrounds, frisbee golf, conservatory, arboretum and rose garden, there is something for everyone here.http://www.okc.gov/Parks/will_rogers/rose_garden.htmlhttp://www.oklahomarosesociety.org/shapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1
A Rose by Any Other Name...
Route 66 Park, adjacent to Lake Overholser
Get Your Kicks...
 
 
For the first time in 20 consecutive days, rain did not dampen our spirits here in Oklahoma City.  In fact, the sun actually broke through the clouds for a good part of the day.  So imagine my surprise when my boss said to me, “Why don’t you go shoot some artsy pictures at a few local parks for an urban parks feature?”  Have I ever told you how awesome the people I work with are?  Actually,  Becky, Shel and Ron all needed to use my workstation in the office to catch up on logging and writing, so the “Park Tour” was really just an excuse to get me out of the building for the afternoon.  But still, how lucky am I that my most important task on any given day is to go out in the great weather and take pretty pictures?  I must be living right!
 
The weather was so nice, though, that I just couldn’t seem to force myself to do any actual work, so I decided to do the next best thing:  delegate!  At Hafer park in Edmond, I turned the camera over to my trusty intern, Kennedy.  Sure, she may look a bit young but trust me, I have a great eye for talent, and this girl has it!  Unfortunately, Kennedy’s cousin Hannah is in town for a visit, so she was more interested in running, jumping, sliding and swinging with her than in doing any actual work.  So much for the whole “delegation” thing, I guess!
 
Over at the “Far End of the Hold-Her-Closer,” (Local-speak for the West end of Lake Overholser) you’ll find the new Route 66 Park.  Situated on 23rd street between Lake Overholser and the Kilpatrick Turnpike, this new City park features a three-story tower/observatory overlooking the surroundings.  It also boasts walking trails, footbridges, and a great playplace for the little ones.  Done-up with just the right amount of Mother-Road Kitsch, this stop on your cross-country journey is sure to be a pleasant experience that the whole family can enjoy!