Martin Park celebrates 50 years with rededication ceremony, community events
05/06/2025
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Fifty years after its dedication, Martin Park, 5000 W. Memorial Road, will be rededicated in a public ceremony and meadow planting Saturday, May 10.
Visitors of all ages are invited to come help plant native plants at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10, in the meadow on the northwest corner of the park, just west of the parking lot. Participants are encouraged to bring their own trowels and gardening equipment, though it is not required. Visitors should plan for the ground to be soft, so closed-toed shoes are advised.
The rededication ceremony will be at 11 a.m. at the picnic pavilion, which is on the south end of the parking lot. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be inside the Visitor Center. Speakers include Ward 8 Councilman Mark Stonecipher and Neil Garrison, Martin Park’s longest-serving naturalist.
A volunteer award and recognition ceremony is planned for 11:30 a.m. at the same pavilion.
Free shuttle service will be available 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 10, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 11, between the park and Mercy Hospital’s Meinders Neuroscience Institute, 4120 W. Memorial Road.
In addition to the ceremony May 10, activities are planned throughout this week in honor of the anniversary:
- Guided hikes at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
- A self-guided scavenger hunt from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
- Children’s activities in the Martin Park Nature Center from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 4 to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
All events are free, and free commemorative posters are available while supplies last. All programs and events are subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather or hazardous trail conditions.
Summer hours for Martin Park are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and the visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
About Martin Park
Martin Park covers 144 acres of wooded habitat with a nature center and 2½ miles of trails, including a half-mile accessible path. It’s a hub for nature exploration and education, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It is free to the public. The City of Oklahoma City purchased land for the park in 1962, and the park was dedicated in 1975. Martin Park is owned by the City of Oklahoma City and maintained by Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation.
About Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation
Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation operates more than 170 parks, 100 miles of trails, 5,000 acres of public land, and a network of recreation, aquatic, athletic, and senior centers. The mission of OKC Parks is to provide cultural, social, and recreational experiences that give our community the opportunity to cultivate wellness and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
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Media Contact:
Carrie Coppernoll Jacobs
Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation
(405) 203-4258
carrie.jacobs@okc.gov
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City Hall, 200 N Walker Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73102
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