Named a regional "Ten Best" Parks and Playgrounds in National Geographic's "The Best of Everything for Families: An Ultimate Guide for Families."
Martin Park Nature Center at 5000 West Memorial Road serves as an educational facility, a recreational area and a wildlife sanctuary.
Martin Park Nature Center staff offers a variety of guided nature hikes. Programs include regularly scheduled weekend guided hikes and special guided tours for groups.
Make your reservation for the regularly scheduled weekend hikes as soon as the topic is announced. All special guided tours require reservations; call the naturalist at 405 755-0676.
During spring, when hikes are very popular, call at least two months in advance.
Many animals make their homes in and around the various native plants in Martin Park. Birds, butterflies, squirrels, and deer are just a few of the animals in the park.
Martin Park is open 51 weeks a year, Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park is closed on holidays and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
Fortunate visitors may catch a glimpse of a deer, coyote, owl or armadillo. Your powers of observation, the season of the year and luck contribute to observing these uncaged animals.
Martin Park Nature Center houses a hands-on museum and a browsing library.
Outside the nature center, 3.5 miles of hiking trails curl through woods and grasslands. One graveled trail is wheelchair accessible. Other trails are of gravel and packed soil, containing short stretches of moderate slopes and occasional steps.
Sunday in the Park
Join us for our Sunday Nature Hikes and learn about the nature of the season.
The Nature Center offers guided park tours and nature hikes every Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Reservations required.
Fee: $2. For registration, call 405 755-0676.
2009 SPECIAL EVENTS:
Ready for adventure? Discover your "wild" side with one of these special education events. Unless otherwise noted, all events cost $2 per person and reservations are requested.
SEPTEMBERFEST at the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion
Saturday, September 12, 2009 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
FREE
Visit the staff of Martin Park Nature Center as they join in on the fun during SEPTEMBERFEST at the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion, 820 NE 23rd Street, Oklahoma City. This annual event is designed to provide FREE entertainment and education to families about our state's history, heritage, resources and traditions. Hands-on educational booths and other kids activities is just part of the Fall fun!
SPIDER HUNT
Saturday, October 3, 2009 10:00 a.m.
$2.00/person - registration required
Arachnophobes, beware! It's time to join the naturalists at Martin
Park Nature Center for a hair-raising discussion about our favorite
eight-legged creatures. We'll explore the myths surrounding these
dastardly beasts, and discuss the different types of spiders found right
here in Oklahoma. A hike through the Martin Park woods to search for
spider habitats will wrap up this webby experience. Fee: $2 per person. Call
755-0676 to register.
FALL INTO ART
Saturday, October 10 noon - 5:00 p.m.
FREE
Celebrate the changing season with our annual art and nature
extravaganza. Local artists will host demonstrations and explorers of
all ages will enjoy art and nature-themed craft stations, live music and
refreshments.
FREE to the public. Call 755-0676 for more information.
JOIN THE GREEN EARTH GANG!
The Green Earth Gang is a nature appreciation program geared toward 9 to 13-year-olds. The "Gang" works on conservation projects in Martin Park throughout the year under the supervision of a park naturalist. Projects include litter pick-ups, maintaining trails, restoring native plants and monitoring and repairing nest boxes. It's a great way to teach kids about the role conservation plays in our environment. There are no fees to participate, and old clothing is recommended. The "Gang" meets 2 - 5 p.m. each Saturday during the school year, and each Friday from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. during the summer months.
Martin Park Nature Center is in far northwest Oklahoma City at 5000 West Memorial Road, on the south side of Memorial between N MacArthur Boulevard and N Meridian Avenue. We're just west of Mercy Hospital.
Since Martin Park is a protected wildlife sanctuary, pets, fishing, hunting, bicycles, swimming, camp fires and other activities that might be destructive to the habitat are not allowed.
For more information, call 405 755-0676.
Get up-to-date information on Parks and Recreation programs and activities! Click HERE to sign up for regular Parks and Recreation e-mails.