Mayes County HOPE

The Lung Bus will also be present tomorrow at the Health Fair hosted by Pryor Creek Recreation Center. The bus will be available to be toured and to ask questions about the program, but screenings will not be taking place.

If the public is interested in screenings, a future date will be planned to make screenings available in Mayes County.

TSET

Hope4youth and TSET IMPACT Network will have a table TOMORROW at the Pryor Creek Recreation Center. Come by from 10-2!

Be sure to join us this Wednesday!

~*FREE*~ for all!

Senior Health Fair 10am-2pm!

Another project has been completed at Giles Park, restoration of the roof on the 100 Year Old Barn. The development of this park is centered around learning and experiences for our youth, and based on that an Outdoor Classroom has been a priority.

When planning for a classroom, the 100 Year Old Barn serves as an ideal location for learning. Located near the center of the park beside the parking lot and just off the first phase of completed trails, the red barn is both accessible and well-positioned for educational use. The structure itself was built well and remains in very good condition. While the roof showed some noticeable wind and rain damage, the overall integrity of the barn remains strong.

Cody Yoder and his team, including Issac Matthews, Lucas Hendrex, Joseph Nurris and Zane Fields, donated their time to make the needed roof repairs. The wood on the roof of the barn was replaced and additional metal sheeting was added to damaged areas. In addition, the team also made repairs on the lean-to barn, which houses large animals for the animal shelter when necessary. Materials for these projects were donated by Ben Yoder.

Next steps for the Outdoor Classroom include adding a seating area to better accommodate educational classes and hands-on learning opportunities. Giles Park is already being actively used for education, including hosting FFA Land Judging, serving as a case study for the University of Oklahoma’s Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration class, and welcoming 250 fifth-grade students from Pryor Public Schools, Chouteau-Mazie Public Schools, and William Bradford Christian School for an Outdoor Education Day last fall.

The development of Giles Park as a hub for outdoor learning is well underway. From several community clean up days, to the first phase of trails, and the relocation of the Pryor Creek Community Garden. Progress has been possible due to the overwhelming support from over a dozen community partners.

In April, the Mayes County Conservation District led multiple community clean up days that helped prepare Giles Park for the spring season. Community members painted the fence, removed debris from the old barn, and trimmed overgrown shrubs. The 3rd Platoon Gladiators from Thunderbird Challenge, Life Fellowship Church, multiple families, Becky Sams, Kathy LaValley, TSET IMPACT Network, and Jamie Walters were present to volunteer their time.

In May, the first phase of the Giles Park trail system was completed. Phase one of the crushed stone trail measures approximately .62 miles. The trail begins north of the Butterfly Way Station, leads visitors to the Artesian Well, up to the lake, then loops back to the starting point. This portion of the trail was supported through funding from the TSET IMPACT Network. Once all phases are completed, the full trail system will span just under three miles.

Another major milestone for Giles Park is the planned relocation of the Pryor Creek Community Garden, which serves the Digging In The Dirt after-school program. The current garden, located off Highway 20, provides students with approximately 4,500 square feet of learning space. The Pryor Creek City Council voted to approve the new lease at their April 7th Council Meeting. The new location will expand that area to nearly 20,000 square feet, creating additional opportunities for outdoor education and hands-on learning. Mayes County HOPE plans to pursue grant funding to support the relocation and future enhancements in this outdoor setting.

Every step forward at Giles Park has been a step toward fulfilling Tom Giles’ vision for the park, a place where children and families can learn, explore, and experience the natural outdoors. When Giles donated the land where the park now sits, he made it clear that he wanted it to be used as a place for outdoor learning and experiences. Today, the City of Pryor Creek and its community partners continue working diligently to ensure each project and improvement honors that vision while creating opportunities for future generations to enjoy and learn from the space.

If you choose to explore the trails, please be mindful while permanent signage is still being designed and installed. Park hours are from sunrise to sunset. Please stay on designated trails, keep dogs on a leash, and cyclists must yield to other users. No motorized vehicles, smoking, or va**ng are allowed, and please do not litter.

Thank you to our current partners: Mayes County Conservation District, TSET IMPACT Network, Mayes County HOPE, Northeast Tech, Pryor High School Innovation Center (Pryor Public Schools), Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Oklahoma Blue Thumb, Mayes County Master Gardeners, Life Fellowship Church, GRDA, MUB, and Mayes County Farm Bureau.