Community
Parks
LaFortune Park
About the Park
Our story begins in 1920 at 51st & Yale Ave. at the Tulsa County Poor Farm, where poor people worked for their food, received health services and had a roof over their heads. But in 1935, FDR introduced the national welfare system, and eventually the farm became obsolete and too expensive to maintain. In 1958, oilman J.A. LaFortune saw the potential of the old farm and donated $250,000 to Tulsa County to build a park. He did so because he “wanted to give back to the city that had been so good to me.” LaFortune’s passion for the creation of public county parks extended to his friend Claude Chandler, who he convinced to donate 100 acres of his quarry for a west side park. [Chandler Park] On October 16, 1960, LaFortune Park was opened to the public. As the first county park in Oklahoma, the 270-acres features over 700 trees, 11 ponds, and more than 100,000 visitors a year. There is an 18-hole championship golf course, a lighted driving range, pro shop and the only lighted 18-hole par 3 in Oklahoma. It’s a spectacular setting for all occasions with indoor and outdoor event spaces.
About the Park
Our story begins in 1920 at 51st & Yale Ave. at the Tulsa County Poor Farm, where poor people worked for their food, received health services and had a roof over their heads. But in 1935, FDR introduced the national welfare system, and eventually the farm became obsolete and too expensive to maintain. In 1958, oilman J.A. LaFortune saw the potential of the old farm and donated $250,000 to Tulsa County to build a park. He did so because he “wanted to give back to the city that had been so good to me.” LaFortune’s passion for the creation of public county parks extended to his friend Claude Chandler, who he convinced to donate 100 acres of his quarry for a west side park. [Chandler Park] On October 16, 1960, LaFortune Park was opened to the public. As the first county park in Oklahoma, the 270-acres features over 700 trees, 11 ponds, and more than 100,000 visitors a year. There is an 18-hole championship golf course, a lighted driving range, pro shop and the only lighted 18-hole par 3 in Oklahoma. It’s a spectacular setting for all occasions with indoor and outdoor event spaces.
Southern Hills
Southern Hills Country Club
The Roaring Twenties had come to a screeching halt. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 was followed by bank closures, business failures and high unemployment. By 1934, there were signs of improvement, and a number of Tulsa businessmen were looking to the future. Many in the Tulsa business community belonged to two clubs. They dined at The Tulsa Club and played golf at Tulsa Country Club. However, in order to provide more activities for members and their families, much more land was needed.
In late 1934, a plan was hatched to merge the two clubs and expand the country club facilities. For a variety of reasons, the merger never happened. Fortunately, there was another option. Tulsa businessman and philanthropist, Waite Phillips, owned approximately 700 acres south of Tulsa. He envisioned that this farm land, on rolling hills, could be developed into a country club with a golf course and many other activities. He just needed to find the right group to make it happen.
Southern Hills Country Club
The Roaring Twenties had come to a screeching halt. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 was followed by bank closures, business failures and high unemployment. By 1934, there were signs of improvement, and a number of Tulsa businessmen were looking to the future. Many in the Tulsa business community belonged to two clubs. They dined at The Tulsa Club and played golf at Tulsa Country Club. However, in order to provide more activities for members and their families, much more land was needed.
In late 1934, a plan was hatched to merge the two clubs and expand the country club facilities. For a variety of reasons, the merger never happened. Fortunately, there was another option. Tulsa businessman and philanthropist, Waite Phillips, owned approximately 700 acres south of Tulsa. He envisioned that this farm land, on rolling hills, could be developed into a country club with a golf course and many other activities. He just needed to find the right group to make it happen.