Elmer Thomas Park - Lawton, OK
Posted by: 
hamquilter
N 34° 37.094 W 098° 23.537
14S E 555711 N 3830875
This is a huge park, with an amazing amount of amenities.
Waymark Code: WM126TX
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 03/14/2020
Views: 0
The address for the park is 501 N.W. Ferris. The coordinates given above are a few hundred yards north of Ferris and N.W. 3rd, at the park sign. The park is located on the northeast edge of Lawton, and encompasses beautiful Lake Helen.
The park is named after Elmer Thomas (1876-1965) who came to Oklahoma Indian Territory in 1901, and was elected to the first Oklahoma State Senate in 1907 and served till 1920. He served int he U.S. House of Representatives in 1922, and in the Senate from 1926-1950. He had a law firm in Washington D.C. and eventually returned to Oklahoma where he passed away at the age of 89. He is interred in nearby Highland Cemetery.
This 334 acre park contains the Museum of the Great Plains, as well as the Comanche National Museum & Cultural Center and the McMahon Memorial Auditorium wth its 1477-seat auditorium. When visiting this park, plan to spend the entire day. There is fishing and boating on Lake Helen, picnic areas, and a 2.2 mile track which also hosts various road races. There are also festivals and community events held in the park. [from the website] "Every year the park hosts over 40 Fitness in Action Series Events, dozens of camps and clubs, the International Festival, Freedom Festival and much more."
Children can feed the ducks at lakeside, or play in the large playground considered to be the largest in Oklahoma. There is also a 3500 sq. ft. splash pad, with 27 water features which opened in 2017, and a Miracle League baseball field, fishing piers and a boat ramp.
The Park has several beautiful war memorials, honoring veterans from various wars, as well as a large military tank on display. There is truly something for everyone. Throughout the park are bronze sculptures and memorials.