Martin Park Nature Center

Martin Park Nature Center is a 140-acre nature park located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The park serves as a wildlife sanctuary and educational hub, offering visitors a chance to explore and learn about the natural environment. Situated on the outskirts of a sprawling suburb, the park provides a serene escape from urban life, with no other houses beyond its garden.

The park features diverse ecosystems, including mature woodlands, grasslands, and a creek-fed small lake. It has over 3.5 miles of hiking trails that wind through these varied landscapes, allowing visitors to observe local flora and fauna. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including cottontail rabbits, deer, owls, foxes, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, skunks, coyotes, muskrats, beavers, armadillos, and numerous bird species.

Martin Park Nature Center includes an interactive learning center with live animal exhibits, a nature learning library, and educational programs. The center offers guided hikes and various activities designed to teach visitors about nature and wildlife. The park's trails lead visitors around a large pond, along Spring Creek, beside wildflower meadows, and through wooded areas.

One notable trail in the park is the INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Courage Trail, which features broadened walkways and boardwalks suitable for visitors with mobility limitations. This trail enhances the park's accessibility, allowing more people to enjoy its natural beauty.

The park operates with specific rules to maintain its status as a nature preserve. Visitors are required to stay on designated trails, refrain from picking plants, and avoid approaching wildlife. These regulations help protect the park's ecosystems and ensure a sustainable environment for future visitors.