Renovated OKC nature center ready for visitors

Staff Writer wcrum@oklahoman.com

In his mind, Scott Copelin can see visitors at the newly renovated Martin Park education center sitting by the library window, taking in the view of the pond.

It wouldn’t seem so exceptional, except for the fact the building lacked windows before.

The possibility becomes a reality Saturday, when the center reopens after more than a year of construction. Reopening coincides with the annual EarthFest.

Parks Director Doug Kupper and other dignitaries rededicated the 1975-era education center Friday afternoon, with the view out the library window as the backdrop for their remarks.

Framed by the window was the park’s newest

addition, a boardwalk and deck built in partnership with the nonprofit Wilderness Matters and designed to be accessible to visitors who use wheelchairs.

“This will help many experience nature, some for the first time in their life,” said Peter Hoffman, Wilderness Matters’ board chairman and co-founder with Jack McMahan.

The boardwalk and deck overlook the park’s 20-acre pond, where geese occupying the pond’s island make their presence known and beavers go about construction projects of their own.

The education center is the hub of activities at the 144-acre Martin Park, formally Martin Park Nature Center and originally Dr. J.T. Martin Park, after a longtime park commissioner.

Renovations of the popular education center include refurbished space for activities and classes.

Staff will be able to take better care of the animals, thanks to new cabinets, sinks and counter space.

Restrooms have been redone and the entire 4,000-square-foot building has new walls and ceilings.

Outside, landscaping includes new flower beds

and paths lined with rocks — Copelin is a fan of rocks — where children attending camps can sit and eat lunch.

“I think we raised the bar,” said Copelin, the Parks Department’s natural resources manager.

Accessible nature

Wilderness Matters first partnered with Martin Park in 2013 for wheelchairaccessible improvements to one of the park’s trails.

The resurfaced, crushed granite trail runs about three-fourths of a mile from the education center.

Called the Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Courage Trail, it includes interpretive exhibits andnew signs.

The new deck consists of a boardwalk and covered pavilions overlooking the pond.

Copelin said the deck occupies an area formerly choked with overgrown trees and scrub.

“It was a mess,” he said. With the new landscaping

and rock borders, “it’s so much nicer. I think people will love it.”

Wilderness Matters was established to pursue projects that increase accessibility to the outdoors.

The group has raised about $1 million for the trail, deck and other improvements at Martin Park.

Parks Director Doug Kupper said education center renovations cost $880,000, funded by voter-approved 2007 general-obligation bonds.

‘Busy parks’

At 5000 W Memorial Road just west of Mercy Health Center, Martin Park Nature Center has a popular playground and 2.5 miles of hiking trails through woods and grassland and along a stream.

Kupper said the park draws 450,000 annual visitors. “This is one busy park,” he said.

Park naturalists guide hikes through the park for Scouts and other groups.

The education center has day camps and activities such as classes on spotting animal signs and next month’s Mother’s Day crafts day for moms and kids.

Inside, live animal exhibits include turtles and frogs. A hollowed out “tree” is a spot where children can learn the sounds made by raccoons, owls, bats and mice.

Copelin is reusing some old 15-foot-long planks that washed down the creek to make four benches.

Mayor Mick Cornett said the partnership with Wilderness Matters extends the city’s reach.

Saying ‘Yes’

“When the private sector steps forth and has a vision of their own and tosses out a dream, we try to help, together, and see if we can make it happen,” he said.

“There’s a couple of ways you can respond to a tough question,” Cornett said. “You can say, ‘No, because … ‘ or you can say, ‘Yes, if … ‘”

“We have mastered the, ‘Yes, if … ,’” he said. “We try and figure out a way to do it.”

Saturday’s EarthFest is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt and relay races. It is the city’s biggest annual Earth Month event.