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.

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.

2010 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.

Martin Space Hike
Saturday, January 16^th  4:00 p.m.
$2 per person
The forest turns into outer space during this outdoor nature hike.  Bring your imaginations and a weather-appropriate clothing for this walk through the solar system.  All ages/families. Call 755-0676 to register.

Reduce, Reuse, Re-Origami
Saturday, January 23^rd 3 p.m.
$2 per person
Save and bring your prettiest used gift wrap to create insects, flowers and other wildlife figures using traditional origami techniques.  Recommended age: 9 years old and older. Call 755-0676 to register.

Treats for the Tweeties
Saturday, February 13  10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 14   2:00 p.m.
$2 per person
Feed the birds! Help the staff at Martin Park Nature Center make and distribute some special Valentine's Day surprises for our favorite feathered friends. Learn to make heart-shaped suet cakes and other natural treats for the area wildlife. When the treats are done, we'll trek through the woods to deliver our Valentines. Participants can also take home a suet cake for their own backyard birds.  Three classes available. Call 755-0676 to register. 

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.

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Casey Lindo, Assistant Naturalist