Botanical Escapes
Summer in Oklahoma means abundant sunshine and blue skies. Here are six Oklahoma botanical gardens and parks to get you outside.
Oklahoma City
The Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge Conservatory are located at the center of downtown Oklahoma City at 301 W. Reno Avenue. The Crystal Bridge is closed for renovations, but the grounds are free to explore and are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Scissortail Park is the newest jewel in Oklahoma City’s park and recreation crown having opened in September 2019. It is located at 300 SW 7th and is free to the public from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily with the Children’s Playground open from dawn until dusk.
Will Rogers Gardens is one of Oklahoma City’s old- est parks and boasts beautiful, historic gardens and the Ed Lycan Conservatory. Located at 3400 NW 36th Street, the gardens include the 10-acre Margaret Annis Boys Arboretum. From April 1-September 30, the gardens are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and from October 1-March 31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The conservatory and garden exhibition center have their own hours and are free of charge.
Tulsa
Located on the Arkansas River, the Gathering Place, Tulsa’s Riverfront Park has become a hot destination for locals and out-of-town tourists. It is 66.5 acres of fun located at 2650 S. John Williams Way E. free to the public from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Check out the Energy Transfer Sports Courts & Skate Park and the Chapman Adventure Playground, too.
Northwest of downtown Tulsa, the Tulsa Botanic Gar- den has grown into a sumptuous garden surrounding its seven-acre central lake. Located at 3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive, the garden is open March 1-October 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Advance tick- ets with timed entry are currently recommended. Ad- mission for garden members is free. Advance tickets are $8 for ages 16+ and $4 for ages 3-15. Children age 2 and under are free. If available, same-day tickets can cost a few dollars more.
Stillwater
See the garden where Oklahoma Gardening is taped each week and check out what grows best in our cli- mate at the Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State Uni- versity, 3300 W. 6th Street Highway 51.
The garden is open March-October, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and November-February, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. free of charge.
From north to south and all points east and west, Oklahoma has wonderful places to stroll and play out- doors. Getting outside helps boost our mood and keep our bodies fit. Most of the gardens and parks also have events throughout the year. Check out park and garden websites for more information.
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