I've searched within my meager capability, and cannot find a complete reference to the whos, whats, whys, hows and whens of the construction and (re)constrution of the park and its amenities. I've looked at the plaques near the Bob Hope pavilion (and was surprised at some of the names of the sponsors listed there), but that really tells very little of the history of the park. Does anyone know where I can go to find out the history of this OkC landmark?

Thanks and my apologies in advance if this has been covered in a prior thread... I could not find anything during my search of the forum.

This park actually has quite a colorful history. Doug, do you want to tackle this with Doug Dawg or shall I at OKC History?

Interesting topic. I loved the rocket ship slide when I was a kid.

This one?

Bellevue - Slide (http://www.amazon.com/Slide-Bellevue/dp/B0002WZRRW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1279499652&sr=1-7)
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/36/82/11d4e893e7a0033bbef96110.L.jpg

What I remember is that in the Stars and Stripes show started in the late 60's at the State Fairgrounds. Then in early 70's part of it was moved to it's current location at Lake Hefner. National and local celebrities like Bob Hope, Dale Robertson and Anita Bryant would hold a national 4th of July show called the Stars and Strips show. It lasted a few years than faded into the history of Oklahoma city. Bob Hope dedicated the pavilion on July 4th. I remember watching on TV. The broadcast was still held at the fairgrounds. You can search the archives of the Daily Oklahoman and I am sure you will find much for than I have to share.

What I remember about Stars & Stripes Park in the late '70s is that on weekends it was equivalent of Paseo 10 years earlier. As a hangout. There were no stores, but lots of retail, ifyaknowwhatimean.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/misc/ss1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/misc/ss2.jpg

did they get rid of the rocketship slide during the remodeling? Or are those pics pretty recent.

Rocketship is long gone and has been for a while.

I think those photos are from about 15 years ago.

In the past few weeks there has been some remodeling of the play equipment at the park. They have added sidewalks and have replaced all the play equipment. It is going to be awesome for the kids once it is finished. There are signs posted that the playground is closed because it isn't finished. Today we were out there watching the ducks and birds etc, and there were numerous kids and their parents using the new equipment.I'm sure the parents can read as the signs are clearly there that the playground is closed. Who would be liable if there were injuries there? Parents need to pay more attention and follow the rules and protect their kids. Wait until the park is finished and then go have fun, but as long as it's a work in progress, stay away.

Playgrounds have been a regrettable casualty of our times because so many lawsuits have resulted from kids being hurt playing on the equipment. I think the quick answer to your question is that the playground should be physically restricted until the work is finished, but whether under construction or completed, the city will be sued whenever someone is hurt there. Which is unfortunate.

Manufacturers do a great job in creating fun, safe, durable and cost-effective equipment, but kids sometimes get hurt, and rarely they are seriously injured and killed. The same holds true in streets and back yards when kids are at play. Lawyers show up, municipalities and manufacturers are sued, and then there are fewer places for children to play, and taxes are increased to pay for the lawsuit. Society suffers.

n the 1980s, Cessna, Beechcraft and Piper were manufacturing great airplanes in Wichita, but because so many lawsuits were filed, all three closed their doors. Society suffered. Only when congress passed laws capping their liability did they resume manufacturing. Doctors have been hit with so many lawsuits that many have retired or quit, and an unknown number of young people are choosing other occupations instead of medicine. Society suffers.

Perhaps the same liability cap should be in place with playgrounds.

BTW, there's another active thread at OKC Talk right now regarding car seats on motorcycles. I'm not sure if the OP was serious, but it illustrates that people won't use common sense when using consumer products, and then blame others if an injury occurs.

Someone needs to design some new swings for playgrounds that are essentially children's car seats on top of mattresses connected by padded bungee cordlike devices to a horizontal cross member.

The tykes could don helmets with visors that virtually replicate the experience of "Swings o' The 50s"

The OKC Barons hockey team awards a ride on the Zamboni when the ice is cleaned before the game. The "winner" has to wear a helmet and seat belt. Really - when riding a Zamboni. I understand that they're on ice, but do Zambonis have a history of turning over or ejecting occupants?

The "winner" looked absolutely humiliated.

You know what they say . . .
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" . . .
(and, in today's market, a ton of fun.)

Someone needs to design some new swings for playgrounds that are essentially children's car seats on top of mattresses connected by padded bungee cordlike devices to a horizontal cross member.

The tykes could don helmets with visors that virtually replicate the experience of "Swings o' The 50s"

This mom is way ahead of you! http://marinasleeps.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/bubble_wrap_2.jpg

Good spin, Blackmore!
It almost looks like a picture from the late 50s or early 60s.

I think they are referred to today as "Helicopter Moms" right?

Here's a version from the late 30s or early 40s that I'm sure we are all familiar with from television:
It's worth clicking the "Watch on Youtube Version".
HW4IZ0Flh3M

Public workshop July 20 for input on Stars & Stripes Skate Park project

Skaters and other interested Oklahoma City residents are invited to get information and provide feedback on the Stars & Stripes Skate Park Project at a public workshop this month.

The skateboard park will be built south of the picnic pavilion at Stars & Stripes Park, 2701 S Lake Hefner Drive.

The workshop, set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 20 at the MAPS 3 Senior Health & Wellness Center at 11501 N Rockwell Ave., will feature a chance to speak with City staff and the skate park designer.

The skateboard park is funded by the 2007 general obligation bond program.

For more information, contact Terry Ash at (405) 297-2944 or Kayla Copeland at (405) 297-2945.

Here are the conceptual plans for the new skate park.

You can provide feedback here: https://www.sitedesigngroup.com/oklahoma-city

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stars1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stars2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stars3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stars4.jpg

My skating knowledge is limited to playing Tony Hawk on my PlayStation 2 back in 2001, but it looks good to me.

How does the city handle Liability on a project like this?

New skate park to open at Stars and Stripes Park (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=529-New-skate-park-to-open-at-Stars-and-Stripes-Park)

Work is well underway on a new skate & BMX plaza at Stars and Stripes Park near Lake Hefner.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/starsstripes072918a.jpg


The park, on a peninsula jutting out along the south border of the lake, boasts a patriotic themed playground, baseball/softball fields and a hiking trail.

The design is by Site Design Group, an award-winning firm specializing in skate and bike park planning, engineering and construction throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Austrailia.

Site Design was also behind OKC's very popular Matt Hoffman Skate Park in Wiley Post park by the Oklahoma River.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hoffman.jpg


The Stars and Stripes facility will have an impressive street course as well as a pool, with 10,500 square feet designed for intermediate users and BMX riders.

From Site Design: “The perimeter will host a 45' long 3' high bank that will house a 1' extension in the center to create a 6' quarter pipe. Along the perimeter there will also be a flat ledge, manual pad, roller,15'-9" flat rail, a bank with a rail, A-Frame, hipped bank, straight out ledge, and the 4' to 4'-6" pool. The pool itself will also include two extensions, one that is 3' high that creates a 7' drop in, and another that is 2' high creating a 6'-9" drop in. The street course is the centerpiece for Stars and Stripes. The plaza includes two banks with ledges, two 3 stair sets with rails, an A-Frame with rails, a bank with a pole jam, long hubba ledge, a bank to kicker, double 2 stair set with rails, double bank, 5 stair set with hubba ledge,7 stair set with rails, and a 6' quarter pipe.”


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stars2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stars1.jpg


This will be the 4th skate park in Oklahoma City as in addition to Hoffman, there is Route 66 Skate Court in far West OKC and South Lakes Skart Court at 4210 SW 119th.

The new Stars and Striples facility should be complete this September.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/starsstripes072918b.jpg

Ah that's great! I've always felt Stars and Stripes was terribly underutilized (though fairly heavily used, if that makes sense).

Along with several other city parks (Woodson, Douglas and Wiley Post), they are also getting a 'fitness court'.

I believe it will be similar to this:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fitnesscourt.jpg

Nice! Any idea where they're going to stick it?

Can't do the skateboards anymore; literally lost my precious buns.

Love the Hoffman Skate Park off Robinson in Wiley Post Park. IIRC EMSA has a maintenance center off 23rd & Walker Avenue with an ambulance on call, as well as a center in Midtown on N. 11th at Classen Drive.

Occasionally ride my bike from DT Gaylord Branch YMCA to the Hoffman Skate Park, nice to see the youth on skateboards. The new Lake Hefner skate park spreads 4 SPs throughout our city.

Still have some finish work to do but the skate park is already in use:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/starsstripes111718.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/starsstripes111718b.jpg

Does anyone know what they are going to do at Stars and Stripes park? They have some parts fenced so you can't walk in. The grandkids love to go there and play and see the ducks. Just curious...

There's something in another thread about it, skate park or something like that, can't remember entirely

They have finished the skate park, and put the fitness thing in, but what I am talking about is where the monuments are.

Yeah, they've got the entire monument area fenced off. Last time I was there it looked like they were doing some electrical work. Renovation maybe?

Tony Hawk and a few others will be there Sunday for the opening of the new skate park.