Things to do in `an ever-changing world'
The old phrase “We live in an ever-changing world” has taken on new meaning of late. With some places opening back up for business, their hours, guidelines and overall operation have changed. Take restaurants, for example; while some have opened up for dinein, some remain closed while others offer curbside or delivery service.
There is a ton of information changing almost daily in some instances. And it appears we are going into a new normal. We can debate when we might ever return to normal another time.
But for this moment, here are a few examples of places that have reopened:
The aquariums in Jenks and Medicine Park have reopened, but with different guidelines.
The Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks reopened May 8 with a new format and protocols to keep everyone safe. It has switched to only online sales and reservations for members. Only 15 people will be able to go inside every 15 minutes. Members can log into their account to make a reservation.
When you arrive, there will be designated spots on the grounds to wait before entering. So, that social distancing can be maintained, there is a designated, clear path for people to take, with folks being about 10 feet apart. Certain areas remain closed, such as the playground and the children's crawl-through areas. The Jenks aquarium also has extended hours seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but the last ticket will be sold at 7:45 p.m. More information is on the aquarium's website.
The Medicine Park Aquarium & Natural Sciences Center reopened on May 1. Once there, you will see signs regarding social distancing posted, and hand sanitizers are located throughout the complex. The staff will be working to space out the various groups once they enter the aquarium. The entire facility, which consists of the six-acre Terry K. Bell Memorial Trust botanical garden and outdoor exhibit — along with the 10,000 square foot McMahon Foundation Aquarium building — will offer lots of room for visitors to tour while safely participating in social-distancing. But during May, there will be no feeding shows or critter chats, and Turtle Towne remains closed due to repairs.
Through the COVID19 crisis, Oklahoma state parks remain open. But, certain areas at parks did close and remain so — such as lodges, group camps/ dining halls, community building and playgrounds, along with restaurants and nature centers.
Recently, though, the lodge at Roman Nose State Park did reopen, as well as a new place to eat inside called Swadley's Foggy Bottom Restaurant.
The Lodge at Lake Murray is now open, but the restaurant there is still undergoing renovations.
Virtual tours and more
Both the lodge and restaurant at Sequoyah State Park are closed and still undergoing renovations at this time. But while those are closed at Sequoyah, you can take a virtual tour of their nature center, along with other activities, on the Facebook page.
Angelina Stancampiano, naturalist at the Sequoyah State Park Nature Center, has hosted Zoom field trips for specific classes, worked with the Tulsa STEM Alliance and Rogers State University for a live television segment on reptiles. She also has made a series of videos for their Facebook page.
“We have taken live guided hikes, gone on a feed tour, and made many funny spoof videos. I have worksheets, coloring sheets and extra photos online. And we have seen huge upticks in interaction,” Stancampiano says. “We schedule a lot of the programming so you can tune in live, but it also stays on our Facebook page @ Sequoyah State Park.”
You also can take a virtual tour at the Bernice Nature Center, as well as the nature center at Lake Eufaula State Park. You also can see hiking videos from Roman Nose State Park.
Cabins are available at all state parks. To learn more about bookings, go to https:// www.travelok.com/ state-parks/bookings.
Also remember, when visiting a state park, let a park naturalist help guide your nature discovery.
“Despite the necessary fact that nature centers are not able to accommodate as many visitors at one time as during preCOVID-19 days, there's still lots of reasons to visit. Most importantly, the best nature center is what's just waiting to be discovered OUTSIDE,” says Tom Creider, programs manager at the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation. “Every Oklahoma state park is a center for exploring the natural world. Nature trails are alive with springtime action. Whether it's watching pollinators sip nectar from a wildflower bloom or listening to the sounds of spring, warbling songbirds and amorous amphibians, nature trails are alive with spring-time action.”
State park golf courses are other areas that never closed during the pandemic and have been very busy.
Again, things are constantly changing. For a quick reference guide, go to travelok.com. If you click at the top on the link that says "Oklahoma Tourism Travel Updates:
For important travel and safety information,” it takes you to information such as “The TravelOK Stay-at-Home Guide,” which has listings for Oklahoma COVID-19 resources, restaurants offering curbside pick-up and delivery, grocery shopping alternatives, virtual tours and you can download Oklahoma Travel Guides.
As always, we urge everyone to abide by the businesses/restaurants new guidelines and stay safe. It sounds like this ever increasing, rapidly changing world won't stop changing anytime soon.