LAWTON – Lawton officials now have a road map they can consult as they make decisions about the city’s parks system.
The Lawton City Council voted 7-0 March 8 to approve the city’s new master plan for parks, trails, recreation programs and open spaces, Councilman Jay Burk was absent.
The Texas-based engineering firm Halff Associates spent about a year developing the plan, which provides a framework for upgrading Lawton’s parks and recreational programs. The plan includes the following recommendations:
- Closing some parks to make it easier for the Parks and Recreation Department to maintain the remaining parks.
- Updating Lawton’s three recreation centers.
- Developing maintenance standards and an operating plan for parks.
The plan offers a set of guidelines for the future, but it does not include specific recommendations, said Parks and Recreation Director Christine James.
“It gives us a broad direction of where we want to go,” she said.
Councilman Allan Hampton noted that the council will be responsible for making any decisions based on the plan.
“The master plan is a recommendation only, and any action taken by the city with parks on this master plan will return to the council for approval,” he said.
The council received the plan in December 2021 but requested more time to study it before deciding whether to adopt it.
The plan is dedicated to the late Ross Hankins, an advocate for enhancing Lawton’s recreational opportunities. Hankins served on the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission. His wife is Councilwoman Mary Ann Hankins.