Woodson Senior Center in Woodson Park, 3401 S May Ave., will discontinue senior programming May 13 and reopen as a Boys & Girls Club of America May 23.
All existing senior classes and programming currently offered at Woodson Park will be available at the Pete White Health & Wellness Center or Will Rogers Park Senior Center.
The change in programming is based on recommendations from the parks master plan released in 2020. That plan and accompanying research showed a duplication in senior services in the vicinity for people aged 50 and over and identified the need for more youth services and expanded athletic fields and facilities.
“Woodson Senior Center provided valuable services to our residents, but as we look to provide better access to healthcare, improve fitness and social connections, provide modern and safe facilities, and meet the growing needs of Oklahoma City’s residents, it was clear the current purposes of Woodson Park were not meeting those needs,” said Director of Parks & Recreation Melinda McMillan-Miller. “The Woodson Senior Center is transitioning to support a new Boys & Girls Club. Woodson Park will be part of a multi-phase capital improvement project to construct new athletic facilities to better serve the growing number of Oklahoma City residents.”
Seniors who use the center are encouraged to join the MAPS 3 Pete White Health & Wellness Center two miles away. Opened in 2018, the 39,000-square-foot modern senior facility offers an indoor pool, exercise room, computers, billiards room, art room with a kiln, a demonstration kitchen, community rooms, fitness equipment, clinic and an indoor walking track, along with a robust calendar of social and recreational activities.
“The Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation Department is dedicated to supporting our senior population and ensuring they have access to educational, social, creative and physical activities that encourage personal interactions and community engagement, leading to seniors living a healthy and active lifestyle,” McMillan-Miller said. “The future of Woodson Park’s senior building has not been determined, but it is foreseeable the building could be demolished to make way for additional athletic facilities to serve the community.”
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