Owen Park centennial celebration today

Today (August 8, 2009) there's a celebration in honor of the centennial of Tulsa's purchase of its oldest park. Owen Park, southeast of W. Edison St. and N. Quanah Ave., was acquired by the City of Tulsa in August 1909.

The highlight of the day's festivities is the construction of a new playground for the park. Here's the city press release:

Join us Saturday, August 8 as we celebrate the 100th birthday of Tulsa's very first park. This action-packed day will feature a morning fishing tournament, day-long playground construction, trolley tours, climbing wall, stage acts, and more.

The history of Owen Park neighborhood can be traced back to early territorial days and businessman Chauncey Owen. His wife, Martha, received an allotment of 160 acres from the Creek Nation. The land encompassed what is now known as Owen Park and the surrounding neighborhood. These lands were often used for public events even before the park was given its official designation. Owen wanted to divide and sell the land, and offered more than 20 acres to the city. In March of 1909 the city held its first Park Commission meeting and by August 18, 1909 had decided to purchase the land from Owen. The park known as Owen Park officially opened June 8, 1910.

The festivities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Owen Park will kick off early that day with a fishing tournament. The tourney, for fishers 15 years and younger, begins at 7 a.m. and ends at noon (bring your own bait).

The day officially kicks off at 8 a.m. on the Main Stage. The construction of the Kaboom Playground will begin, and a variety of acts will entertain the crowd throughout the day. The QT Mobile Kitchen will be on site, as well as displays and booths from Neighborhood Associations, and the Tulsa Fire Department.

A climbing wall will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the former Tennis court area. A Kids Parade will take place at 4 p.m. and be led by the winner of the fishing tournament. Then at 5 p.m., Mayor Kathy Taylor will read a proclamation commemorating the Tulsa Parks' centennial and the event will conclude with the 6 p.m. unveiling of the Kaboom Playground.

The fishing tourney is already underway, but there's still time to get out and enjoy.

And don't forget -- today is also the rescheduled Red Fork "Down on Main Street" festival, from 10 to 2.