Stephenson Park changes to occur in phases
EDMOND — Despite public concerns, as well as support for a revamp of Stephenson Park, changes to the park are multiple years away from taking place and will occur in phases.
During a community connection meeting, about 75 people came out to discuss changes to the park, which was built in 1934 under the Works Progress Administration.
Stephenson Park is bordered by Littler Avenue and Boulevard Street on the east and west sides and is between Fourth and Fifth streets.
Once funding in the Edmond Parks Department becomes available, many changes will occur, including added parking and new features inside of the park, said Craig Dishman, parks and recreation director.
No costs have been placed on the project, but Dishman said it will cost several million dollars and possibly come out of the parks department’s budget.
“There is never any parking around there,” Dishman said. “We are wanting something new and unique.”
A new plaza space and pavilion are part of the proposed changes, with the design moving in the direction of a modern urban park, Dishman said.
“We are not taking out any trees, though,” Dishman said.
Drainage will be changed in the park to help with the current flooding problems that occur.
Additional parking on the north side would allow for about 20 new spaces in front of the 3.1-acre park. Dishman has the idea of using some of the spaces for events with food trucks.
The drive in front of the Edmond Historical Society and Museum also could be closed to improve safety in the area, which has seen multiple autopedestrian accidents in the past.
Going to take time
Now, the park includes a tennis and basketball court. This feature could be removed once a new location is found, but many pickleball players are worried about the process.
A concern is where the new courts would be moved to and if restrooms would be included. Most of the players are part of the Greater Oklahoma City Pickle Ball group.
“The courts kind of stick out like a sore thumb,” Dishman said. “We will not remove them until there is a permanent place for them."
Once the city’s new tennis center is built, Dishman is hoping the courts at the Kickingbird Tennis Center can be used for pickleball, which he has been playing since the late 1980s.
“It is a fun sport,” Dishman said.
Proposed changes also would affect the park's playground equipment, however, the rocket ship would only be moved closer to other equipment.
Additionally, the rock walls and signs built in the 1930s would remain with new walls mirroring the current ones.
“Anything historic we are not getting rid of,” Dishman said. "It is all going to take some time."
Before any changes occur, the parks department will need to go before the Edmond City Council with the final proposed changes.