City of Weatherford Announces Opening of "Shooting Star Park" Playground

Weatherford - The City of Weatherford announced the opening of the new "Shooting Star Park" playground this week, located adjacent to the Stafford Air and Space Museum at 3000 Logan Rd. This exciting addition to the community was made possible through the funding of donors and the Stafford Air and Space Museum Foundation.

The park gets its name from the recently restored Lockheed T-33 "Shooting Star" jet training aircraft, which the Stafford Air and Space Museum will elevate at the entrance for visitors to walk under as they enter the playground area.

The playground has an aerospace theme and is one of the largest playground structures in western Oklahoma. With a structural height of over 30-feet, combined with the elevation of the park itself, it provides a wonderful view of the aviation activities of the airport and the surrounding area.

The grounds include a large covered canopied area with picnic tables and benches for family gatherings and STEAM-based installations that will be engaging for children of all ages. For safety, a unique pour-in-place rubber surfacing is placed beneath the playground for a soft, almost other-worldly feeling.

“The playground is just Phase One of this wonderful new public space,” said the Museum in a press release. “In the upcoming year, the City of Weatherford, with support from donors and the Stafford Museum Foundation, State of Oklahoma American Recues Plan Act (ARPA) and Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant will develop the remaining 7-acres surrounding the new playground into a new ‘Shooting Star Park.’” The larger park will incorporate walking trails, additional STEAM-based educational experiences, an amphitheater, a look-out tower, sand and water features, meditation spaces, art and kinetic sculptures, miniature golf course, and wonderful green spaces for all type of activities.

“The grand opening of Shooting Star Park is a significant milestone for our city will be held his coming Spring. We encourage community members to stay updated by following our official social media channels,” they continued. The Museum also encourages people to check for more information by visiting the websites www.cityofweatherford.com and www.staffordmuseum.org.

“We are excited to see Shooting Star Park become a cherished gathering place for families and individuals to enjoy for many years to come.”

Of course, while visiting the park, families can also stop by the nationally recognized Stafford Air and Space Museum for a whole day’s worth of activities.