Walnut Creek State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walnut Creek State Park |
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 Walnut Creek State Park
Location in Oklahoma
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| Location | Osage County, Oklahoma, United States |
| Nearest city | Prue, OK |
| Area | 1,429 acres (578 ha) |
| Established | 1966 |
Walnut Creek State Park was a special outdoor area in Oklahoma. It was located on the north side of Lake Keystone. This park was about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of a town called Prue in Osage County, Oklahoma. It was a place where people could enjoy nature and do fun activities.
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What Was Walnut Creek State Park?
Walnut Creek State Park was created in 1966. It covered a large area of about 1,400 acres. That's like having more than 1,000 football fields! A "state park" is a piece of land protected by the state government. These parks are set aside for people to enjoy nature and for wildlife to live safely.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Walnut Creek State Park had many things for visitors to do. It had nice sandy beaches where people could relax by the lake. There was also a softball field for playing games. Families could use picnic shelters with tables for outdoor meals.
The park also offered places to stay overnight. There were spots for RVs (recreational vehicles) with hookups for electricity and water. People who liked camping in tents could find tent sites too. Restrooms were available for visitors.
Trails for Adventure
One exciting feature was the Sand Plum Trail. This trail was about 15 miles (24 km) long. It was open for different kinds of outdoor fun.
- Hikers could walk and explore the natural surroundings.
- Horseback riders could enjoy the trail on their horses.
- Mountain bikers could ride their bikes through the park.
Equestrian Campground
The park had a special area for people who brought horses. This was called an equestrian campground. If you wanted to ride horses there, you needed to bring your own. The park did not rent horses to visitors. Walnut Creek State Park was open all year round, so people could visit in any season.
Why Did the Park Close?
The state of Oklahoma decided to close Walnut Creek State Park for good. This happened on October 1, 2014. After the park closed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers became responsible for the area. This government group manages many of the country's waterways and public lands. They had to decide what would happen to the park's buildings and facilities.
