Midwest City opens new park

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Midwest City has a new park.

City officials last week announced that W.P. Bill Atkinson Park is now open to the public.

The park is located near the clock tower on Mid-America Blvd., just north of the Town Center Plaza.

W.P. Bill Atkinson Park will serve as a gathering place and connection between the Original Mile neighborhood with the commercial district. It includes performance and event space, splash pad, playground, dog park and more.

The park is linked to the nearby retail center by a paved pedestrian plaza that includes historical panels telling the story of Midwest City’s past.

On Thursday, a team from Midwest Public Works and The Crucible Bronze Foundry placed the statue of Midwest City Founder, W.P. Bill Atkinson, at the south entrance of the new park. The statue had most recently had a temporary home in Charles J. Johnson Park.

The park is part of a 2018 bond issue approved by voters.

A grand opening celebration will take place this spring.

PHOTOS BY JOSH RYAN