experiencing okc outdoors

by Cathy O'Connor via The Journal Record: July 8, 2015

Oklahoma summers are well-known for being anything but cool. That doesn’t keep residents from enjoying all of the outdoor activities that Oklahoma City has to offer. The city has made significant strides to improve the quality of life for its citizens by providing state-of-the-art recreation facilities and expanding its park and trail systems.

Crystal Lake, near SW 15th Street and S. MacArthur Boulevard, was once a dumping ground. Oklahoma City crews worked with local nonprofit City Care and area businesses to turn the 60-acre public lake back into a place the community can enjoy. Now nonprofit programs like City Kids Outdoors and the YMCA summer day camps utilize the lake to offer children the chance to learn fishing, archery, kayaking and team building.

The lake site featuring a pavilion, fishing dock and permanent restrooms is beginning to attract a number of events throughout the year. This fall, City Care will host its second-annual ZeroK OKC, a family-friendly fundraiser with an optional 5K on the newly opened portion of the MAPS 3 walking trails.

The Boathouse District also provides access to a great mixture of outdoor activities. The river is open to competitive and recreational rowing as well as kayaking, dragon boating and stand-up paddle boarding. For a unique view of Oklahoma City, Riversport Adventures offers a 700-foot zip line that extends across the Oklahoma River and a six-story sky trail...

Read the full article here in the July 8th edition of The Journal Record.