LAWTON – Renovations at Greer and Willow Creek parks, and the status of construction on the aquatic center in Elmer Thomas Park, dominated a recent meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
A comprehensive upgrade of Greer Park began in March with demolition of the aged Old West-style fort in KIDZONE.
Removal of the fort cleared the way for construction of “a new and improved play unit,” Parks Supervisor Michael Glaze-Lyle said. That was “a crucial step before we can begin resurfacing and constructing the new KIDZONE, which will provide a world-class facility for our community.”
The project will feature installation of new playground equipment, a splash pad, ziplines, other “cutting- edge amenities,” and landscaping, Parks and Recreation Director Larry Parks said.
In addition, the restroom will be renovated, fencing around the tennis court will be repaired, the trail will be improved, lighting will be installed, and seven security cameras have been placed in the park, which is off Northwest 38th Street north of Gore Boulevard.
The upgrade to Greer Park is expected to cost $1,182,085. The project will be financed with PROPEL 2040 funds coupled with a $240,246 SPARK grant from Play and Park Structures of Choctaw, Oklahoma, plus a $40,000 donation from the Great Plains AMBUCS chapter. “Our chapter built the KIDZONE 25 years ago,” former City Councilman Kelly Harris noted.
Responding to a question from Parks & Rec Commissioner Linda Neal about “progress” on Greer Park, Parks said, “Weather permitting, we hope to complete placement of the equipment out there by the middle of July.” Installation of the equipment will start “when it dries out.”
The commission also inquired into the status of work at Willow Creek Park.
During discussion May 6 of the park amenities and planned improvements, Commissioner Dennis Clippinger said, “My granddaughter really likes the park but misses the swing set.”
Willow Creek Park is on the west side of Northwest 75th Street, south of Cache Road and just north of Willow Creek Drive. Clippinger lives “right down the street from” the 17.5-acre park.
The park previously had “a castle-like feature and a jungle gym-like feature, and an all-metal swing set,” Clippinger recalled. But vast improvements are underway in Lawton’s municipal parks.
New equipment is slated for nine municipal parks, including Willow Creek, Gooch Acres, Skyline East, Hunter Hills, Prairie, 35th Division, Mocine, Lee West, and Greer Park.
Earlier this year the Parks and Recreation Department was awarded a SPARK grant from Play & Park Structures of Choctaw. The 50/50 matching grant covered half the cost of p lay structures the Parks Department purchased prior to Oct. 31, 2024.
Parks said his goal is “to replace all unserviceable and outdated play units in our city parks.” The SPARK grant “will help us bring new, modern playground equipment to the parks, enhancing the recreational experience for families and children.”
Parks told the commission that swing sets a re scheduled for installation in Willow Creek Park in phase two of the citywide parks improvement program. “We should finish the Round 2 improvements in the September-October time frame,” he said.
In a related matter, Parks and Grounds Superintendent Antonio Hopson said the Parks and Recreation Department and the Street Department are collaborating on plans for a parking lot in Willow Creek Park. However, he added, “Some people don’t want a parking lot out there.”
Mid-July is the target for the opening of the new aquatic center in Elmer Thomas Park, the commission was told. Construction of the $19.2 million, 42,200 square-foot facility was “a little ahead when the rains came,” Parks said.
Certification of lifeguards for the aquatic center is expected to start this week, according to Parks. The city plans to employ 18 of them, and they will be recruited from Lawton’s high schools and from Fort Sill, he said.
A soft opening of the aquatic center for the City Council and for the Parks and Recreation Commission is planned, Parks said. “We’ll release more information as it nears.”