A ribbon cutting Monday afternoon from the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the new play structures installed at Dixon Durant Park by Durant Parks & Recreation.
Dixon Durant park is commonly called “Rocket Park” by locals because of the rocket slide that has been a fixture since landing at the park in the 1960s.
Ryan Brewer, parks & recreation manager, said it took a year to plan the new structure.
“We made sure that we kept with the rocket theme without having the rocket theme announced in the actual plan because that adds an extra lot of money,” Brewer said. “If you actually had a sky view, it does look like a rocket.”
Brewer said many things will be happening for the park this year and that the slide will be removed from the original rocket and refurbished so that it meets national guidelines. Brewer was greeted with applause when he said that and the rocket will also get a new coat of paint.
In April, the city announced that while the rocket would remain, the slide would be removed and the entrance sealed so no one could enter it. This was based upon a recommendation from the Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group who said in an audit of city parks that it did not meet current safety standards.
The city’s plans for the rocket changed after the Democrat posted pictures on social media announcing plans to seal it shut. Many were saddened by this news and said the rocket slide should remain and the post was shared hundreds of times. Former resident Veroncia Pope started an online petition to save the slide and her petition garnered 1,377 signatures.
Two days later, the city announced the rocket would be refurbished and kept as a usable piece of park equipment while updating safety standards.
“We believe the improvements will make the slide safer for our children while keeping the nostalgia and sentiment of the rocket slide,” City Manager Pam Polk said at the time.
During Monday’s event, Brewer said one of the biggest complaints about the park is the lack of shade and he said two shade structures will be installed.
“They’re already purchased and they will start being installed in the winter when it’s less hectic out here,” Brewer said.
According to Brewer, there will be two more refurbishments at the tennis courts and there will be pickleball there as well.
“So, pickleball will be available during the fall, winter and summer all the time,” he said. “During spring, there will be certain days so we can make sure that Durant tennis has a place to play.”
Brewer said the parks staff had been working all day.
“There will be more improvements throughout all the parks in the near future,” Brewer said.
Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janet Reed thanked the city for allowing the chamber to be a part of the ceremony. Reed noticed children playing on the new equipment.
“We have officially cut the ribbon and everyone’s playing,” she said. “We’ve accomplished what you set out to do. Again, thank you, City of Durant for providing this for us.”
