OSU College of Education’s Dr. Lowell Caneday and Dr. Deb Jordan Conduct Contest for Oklahoma Parks

Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department will join citizens across the state in commemorating Oklahoma’s Centennial Anniversary by sponsoring an essay and drawing contest to find out what Oklahoma parks mean to Oklahoma citizens.

The “People Speak About Parks” essay and drawing contest is open to any Oklahoma citizen from grade school to adults, according to Drs. Deb Jordan and Lowell Caneday at Oklahoma State University’s College of Education.

Participants are asked to think about fun times they have experienced in Oklahoma parks, which may include a neighborhood, city, county, state park or federal recreation area, then to write an original essay (1000 word maximum) or draw an original picture (or create one of each) of what parks mean to them.

Top winners in each age group will receive gifts and prizes, including a two-day stay for four persons at a state park, outdoor equipment and gear, and framed copies of their essays and drawings. In addition, winners will receive recognition by the governor at the centennial celebration and their creations will be displayed at Oklahoma Welcome Centers.

Jordan and Caneday will use the results of the contest as a basis for writing the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, which will provide planning and programming guidance related to outdoor recreation in the state for the next five years. While every state prepares a SCORP, Oklahoma is the only state to conduct the SCORP in this unique way.

“If you enjoy outdoor recreation, this is a wonderful opportunity to share your thoughts and creativity,” Jordan said. “We want to know how you enjoy your time in a park.”

To find out more about the “People Speak About Parks” contest, visit the http://okparks.okstate.edu website or send an e-mail to okparks@okstate.edu for an entry form and release statement. All essays or drawings should be submitted between Nov. 1 and  March 1, 2007.

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Last Updated Friday, October 20, 2006