Residents of Norman, a city known for its dedication to green spaces and community, are set to welcome two new additions to their already expansive parks system. The Park Board Commission has given the green light to Bluestem Park and Bishop Creek Eco Park, marking them as the 66th and 67th parks to join the Norman Parks inventory, as reported by the City of Norman's official website. These parks are not counting specialized facilities such as the Young Family Athletic Center and the Adult Wellness and Education Center, among others.
Bluestem Park, situated south of Cedar Lane Road on 24th Avenue SE, is part of the NORMAN FORWARD initiative approved back in 2015, which aims to establish neighborhood parks across the city. Designed with input from local residents, its facilities will include a walking trail, playground, picnic shelter, sand volleyball court, half-court basketball, and landscaping that features native plant berms and trees to enrich the Urban Forest of Norman. Bishop Creek Eco Park, located at the corner of Alameda and Carter, is engineered to function as both a public recreational area and a vital component of the city’s stormwater control program, integrating stormwater management within its design. The park is expected to offer stream bank stabilization and a detention pond, walking trails, and educational signage on the topic of stormwater management, according to the City of Norman.
In a statement obtained by the City of Norman, Park Development Manager James Briggs discussed the dual role of Bishop Creek Eco Park, describing it as "a joint project between the Parks and Recreation Department and the Stormwater Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department." Briggs emphasized the park's role in providing leisurely space while also serving as a necessary tool for controlling downstream flooding by integrating a detention pond along the creek's course.
The completion of these parks is slated for the end of 2025, and park designs reflect the community's feedback and expectations for multi-functional green areas. Jason Olsen, director of Parks and Recreation, told the City of Norman, "We are lucky to live in a place like Norman that absolutely loves its Parks and continues to invest in great outdoor and green spaces." With these developments, the city aims to continue their tradition of enhancing local quality of life through thoughtful park design and construction.
