Edmond Life and Leisure - July 11, 2024

From the Publisher

New Edmond splash pad opens

I enjoyed attending the opening of the new Ted Anderson Splashpad location, 2405 S Rankin in Edmond (behind New Covenant Church and next to Orvis Risner Elementary). This million-dollar project included construction of a splashpad, restroom, and planting of additional trees. Also, work included repairing and replacing existing sidewalks throughout the park to improve safety and accessibility of the space.

And, as a companion to this project, the entire play structure at the park/playground facility has been remodeled. The new facility provides a new play structure and safety surfacing. Synthetic turf has replaced the woodchips that were previously used for safety surfacing. It is all part of the on-going investment in the Edmond parks system, looking for ways to bring diverse attractions and options to our residets.

My friend Bill Begley who is Marketing and Public Relations Manager for the City of Edmond knows how to get me to turn out in 90-degree weather. FOOD! More specifically, food my wife frowns on me having. Edmond Parks and Rec staff grilled hot dogs, and Snow Worries was there with their snow cone truck. Here was the best part, the hot dogs and snow cones were provided FREE to the first two hundred. You tell a newspaper guy there is free food, and he will be there every time and at the head of the line. Begley knows this because he was a newspaper guy.

The city has done an excellent job in this space. It is really nice with good parking in the area. The shade trees are fantastic compared to our other splash park on Kelly Ave and Edmond road. The new space has nice grass areas for laying out blankets and picnic tables to enjoy as well. I did not get in the splash park after my experience with a water spray area in Aspen, Colorado but the kids looked like they were having a lot of fun.

The splash area in Aspen runs the width of the street and two summers ago Lisa and I were in the area fly fishing the Frying Pan River. There were a number of kids in and out of the water. I was minding my own business when a young man about ten said to me, “I bet you would not walk through the water spray”. My response was, “Please do not double dog dare me buddy.” Of course, his response was, “I double dog dare you” with a maniacal laugh.

I had no choice. Thinking back on it, most times I got myself in trouble during my misspent youth was because someone double dog dared me. Off I went, not understanding two key facts that my little friend left out. One was that the water was from the creek that runs through Aspen. It was a mountain stream cold albeit fresh water. The second was that instead of a spray the water was coming from a pipe about two inches around so instead of a sort of mist you got hit with a water cannon of water. I was soaked, Lisa was on the ground laughing, the kids were hysterical with laughter, and I was soaking wet with a mountain coolness in the air.

What I can say folks is that my honor was fully intact.

Not only does our Edmond Parks & Recreation department deserve a giant pat on the back for this

project but for all they do for our city as well. We have some of the best parks I have seen in all my travels and folks I have been all over the world. Not only are our parks beautiful but they are designed with families having activities to do in them. Our parks are really a crown jewel for Edmond and must be either number one or two on the list of why people decide to live here.

The people who work at Parks and Rec have a huge responsibility and they cover so much. If you think it is only parks that they take care of please think again. They have responsibility for not only city parks but Arcadia Lake, Farmers Market, MAC room rentals, trail systems, all our recreation activities including classes, Festival Market Place, Senior Center, Concerts in the Park and Pickleball to name a few of the things they do.

They also have two big enterprise fund centers under their direction. One is the new Edmond Center Court, and the other is the newly remodeled Kickingbird golf course. Not to go all accounting on you but enterprise funds are how governments manage property that is owned by them but that operate like a business for customer service and efficiency. A golf course and a tennis center are textbook examples.

The big gorilla for them is Arcadia Lake. The lake offers four different park areas – Carl Reherman Park, Central State Park, Edmond Park and Scissortail Campground – and truly is a place for all seasons. In winter, visitors can watch wildlife including the bald eagles or fish for bluegill, bass or catfish in the covered, heated fishing dock. In the spring, they can play disc golf or take a hike on the rustic, scenic trails. Summertime water sports include boating, skiing, and swimming.

Amidst autumn's colorful leaves and cool breezes, campers can choose from four parks and more than 140 campsites. Whether they want to "rough it" or park an RV at a fully equipped campground with pic-

nic tables, charcoal grills, electrical outlets, and community showers, Arcadia Lake is the perfect outdoor place.

These things do not just happen without great maintenance and much work on the part of our Parks & Rec teams. It is one thing for a city council to decide to build a park or area of recreation but at the end of the day, they adjourn and go home. It is the work force and leadership at Parks & Rec that must make it happen and maintain the place. As my dad used to say, it is where the rubber meets the road. Thank you, Edmond Parks & Recreation, for all you do for us in Edmond!

Consider helping our Regional Food Bank

We think of charity organizations during the holidays often, but they need our help in the dead of summer as well. Stacy Dyksta, CEO of our Regional Food Bank, sent several request for help last month in an effort to bolster the pantry there at the food bank. Folks can be hungry year-round, and they need our help folks.

When the need for food assistance is elevated, as it has been in recent years, their funding needs increase, too. With your help, they can continue to expand access to nutritious food for Oklahomans when and where they need it. Food distributions, outreach programs and services that connect Oklahomans with life-changing resources. These efforts are all critical. They provide nutritious food for families, children and seniors in central and western Oklahoma. Every $1 helps provide three meals. This is a great country, and our state is full of good people. There is just no excuse for children to not have enough food to eat. It is simply wrong, and you can help by going to their web site, www.regionalfoodbank.org, and giving generously. Please do not wait for the holidays. (Ray Hibbard may be reached for comment at ray@edmondpaper.com.)