History
Friends of Martin Park Nature Center has a history almost as long as the park itself. Within two years of the park opening to the public in 1975, a small group of citizens who loved the park had organized with the goal of keeping the park in its natural state and protecting the flora and fauna within its boundaries.
As most non-profit groups, Friends of Martin Park began when passionate citizens saw a need and met that need.
Prior to the park opening in 1975 as a designated nature park, the land was used by Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department as a tree nursery. Bald Cypress trees were planted around the pond, and by the time the land was designated as a nature park, the resident beavers had discovered this buffet and began partaking of the bounty.
The Director of the park department at that time decided this was unacceptable, and a trapper from the Animal Damage Control Division of the federal government was sent to remedy the “problem”. The trapper culled the beaver, and soon after, a photo of a citizen activist holding the carcass of the native animal, slaughtered in its nature park home appeared in the local newspaper.
A media storm ensued, blame was passed around, and it was out of that controversy that the Friends of Martin Park Nature Center was born.
Those original members have passed the baton to other caring citizens over the past four decades, and today, nearly 50 years later, Friends of Martin Park still supports the wildlife, plants and staff of Martin Park Nature Center. We are a 100% volunteer run organization, and the oldest active “Friends” group in Oklahoma City. All our funds go to support park programs, events, animal food and habitats, improvements, trail maintenance and so much more.
And, you’ll be glad to know that no more beavers have been harmed in Martin Park. When Neil Garrison was hired in November of 1978, he observed beaver activity. Soon after, he began the practice of wrapping the bases of the large trees with chain link fencing to keep the beavers on a diet of saplings, preserving the ancient trees in the park.
