Long before the Oklahoma Aquarium brought aquatic life to Jenks and the RiverWalk Crossing introduced diners to the fondue experience, fun and recreation came in the form of Skyline Park.
The park was built by Fred “Red” Cox in the mid-1950s at 141st Street, south of downtown Jenks.
The park closed in 1970, but not before thousands of people braved the 72-foot-tall roller coaster, which had a 40-foot drop.
The coaster operated at a speed of 130 mph and took just 60 seconds to travel a 2,660-foot course.
Cox also staged mock train robberies and shootouts on the train, which ran on a track he had built around the park.
Today, pieces of the roller coaster line the interior of Claudia and Randy Imel’s home.
The couple bought the property in 1999 and opened Five Oaks Lodge in 2000.
The Imels also used remnants of train tracks to build railings for the lodge.
“When we first came here I had an office in the ticket booth and we lived in the arcade,” said Claudia Imel.
“We have had thousands of people come out here to the lodge.
“I had an older woman who came and told me it felt familiar to her. I told her there used to be an old amusement park here.
“She started crying when she realized where she was, and told me she had had her first date with her husband here.
“Her husband had just died. Imagine going somewhere, not realizing where you are and then realizing.”
Tulsa County Clerk Earline Wilson had the same deja vu when she attended a meeting at the lodge in 2002.
“I would lifeguard and taught swimming at the beach at the park to work my way through school,” she said.
“They had sandy beaches and it was a busy spot with a lot of responsibility. Not like a pool. “
Wilson said her brother Larry also helped build the roller coaster.
“When the park closed, I was on to other things so it did not impact me very much,” she said.
“But when I returned for a tri-city meeting with Bixby, Glenpool and Jenks, it brought back a lot of memories.”
With the amusement park long gone, in the 1990s Jenks began to prepare for the area’s first aquarium.
The Oklahoma Aquarium opened in March 2003 and several hundred people got a sneak peek of the finished aquarium the week before its official opening.
The aquarium has more than 200 exhibits, including the Karl and Beverly White National Fishing Tackle Museum and several thousand exhibits from around the world.
The aquarium has now become more than an entertainment center for the schools that use “conservation through education” classes in the education Wetlabs, which provide a hands-on learning experience.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation regional headquarters is also located at the Oklahoma Aquarium, and visitors may purchase hunting and fishing licenses on site.
As Jenks prepares to turn 100 this month, officials will celebrate the century mark with improvements to Veterans Park.
The park, made up of 19 acres of land, is located north of 101st Street and east of Elm Street.
The park improvements are planned to serve as a lasting memorial in celebration of Jenks’ 100th year.
The American Legion Post No. 95 is selling bricks in honor of those who have served, or are currently serving in the military.
The bricks are $35 and will be placed around the Veterans Memorial monument.
Plans include a casting park complete with docks, playground equipment, picnic pavilions, walking trails and a veteran’s memorial and garden.
“It is our plan to have the veteran’s memorial and gardens complete for dedication on Veterans Day Nov. 11.
“Of course problems can occur and may not make it, but that is the goal.
“Hopefully we will be able to raise more funds to complete other aspects of the park, but that is yet to be determined,” said Bridget Davidson, former community marketing director for the Jenks Chamber of Commerce.
More than $15,000 from individuals and companies has been donated toward the park.
The chamber has also sponsored several events, including the Wild West Family Fest that took place in June at the Perryman Wrangler Ranch.
“We see the park as being a great asset not only to the residents of Jenks, but to the entire area.
“By contributing to the park, people are making a life-long difference and helping to create a lasting place where families can gather and children can play,” Davidson said.
Ruth Littlefield, executive director of the Jenks Chamber of Commerce, said the city didn’t have a park where people could bring family or have a picnic or large gathering.
Other possible plans for the park include building an amphitheater and designing a recreational trail.
The city’s trail system has also been a plus for bike riders and walkers.
The trails are part of the River Parks trails system and include the pedestrian bridge, Oklahoma Aquarium and RiverWalk Crossing.
A beautification project on the bridge was completed last year and included painting, lights and resurfacing.
The pedestrian bridge runs across the Arkansas River in Jenks, just north of 96th Street and between the Oklahoma Aquarium and RiverWalk Crossing, a retail and entertainment venue.
Illuminating lights were also placed along the bridge for those who want to walk, jog or go bike riding at night.
Those who want to trade bike riding for swimming, will have the opportunity to use a community pool.
A pool that opened in 1970 will be replaced by the community pool being constructed as part of the Glenpool/Jenks Community Center, being built with Vision 2025 funds.
When the city closed the pool, it also marked funds for a spray park to be located at Central Park.
The park also includes a playground, an open field and multiple baseball fields.
A lot of newer subdivisions in Jenks also have their own small parks with playground equipment for homeowners.
This summer, Jenks residents and visitors can spend time along the west bank of the Arkansas River as the summer concert series launches at RiverWalk Crossing, 110 W. B St.
The 8 p.m. Friday night concerts began in June.
Among the scheduled bands are blues guitarist Chris Duarte; singer Holly Williams, the daughter of country and western music star Hank Williams Jr.; jazz musician and former University of Oklahoma basketball player, Wayman Tisdale; jazz saxophonist Grady Nichols and guitarist Monty Montgomery.
Comments