Parks of Oklahoma City: A History

From the founding of Oklahoma City in 1889 to the present day, this ambitious narrative documents the evolution of the city's parks, public places, and open spaces, illuminating the history of iconic projects such as Grand Boulevard and Scissortail Park, while equally honoring the quieter corners that have fostered community and connection across neighborhoods.

Parks of Oklahoma City explores the profound impact of both dedicated natural spaces and flora itself on Oklahoma City's quality of life. From native prairie grasses to the carefully curated plants adorning our city today, the authors highlight the challenges and triumphs faced by those who have shaped the urban ecosystem.

Integral to this story are the visionaries and leaders, such as Henry Walter and Margaret Annis Boys, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on Oklahoma City's landscape. Their legacies, along with those of many others, underscore the transformative power of collective effort in enhancing the urban environment.

Presented in a full-color, hardbound book containing hundreds of archival and contemporary images, this illustrated history creates a compelling visual narrative that complements the meticulously researched historical account.

Bob L. Blackburn, PhD, is the author or co-author of twenty-eight books--including A History of the State Fair of Oklahoma, Sonic: The History of America's Drive-In, and Love's: Fifty Years of a Family Enterprise--which tell the stories of some of Oklahoma's most iconic institutions. After completing his doctorate in history at Oklahoma State University, Blackburn joined the Oklahoma Historical Society, where he served for forty-two years as editor, deputy director, and executive director. Among his greatest achievements was planning, building, and managing the Oklahoma History Center, which opened new opportunities to collect, preserve, and share the story of his native state.

Brian Dougherty, FASLA, grew up in Oklahoma City and holds degrees in horticulture and landscape design from Oklahoma State University, where he later served as an associate professor and department head at the John E. Kirkpatrick Horticulture Center. In 1998, Dougherty joined the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, guiding numerous beautification and environmental projects during his twenty-four years as program director of the Parks and Public Spaces Initiative and the Margaret Annis Boys Trust. A licensed landscape architect and fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Dougherty has dedicated his career to the planning, planting, and maintenance of parks and public spaces, as well as educating communities on their value. In retirement, he tends eighty acres of gardens, pastures, and native habitats at his family farm in Hinton, Oklahoma.