Mccracken Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

McCracken Park is a popular destination in Oklahoma, located in the city of Shawnee.


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Summary

It is a spacious and well-maintained park that offers many recreational activities for visitors of all ages.

There are several reasons to visit McCracken Park, including its beautiful natural setting, well-manicured grounds, and numerous amenities. The park has several playgrounds and sports fields, including baseball, softball, and soccer fields, as well as basketball and tennis courts. There are also picnic areas and a large lake that is popular for fishing and boating.

One of the main points of interest in McCracken Park is the Shawnee Splash Water Park, a family-friendly attraction that features water slides, a lazy river, and a large swimming pool. The park also has a skate park and a BMX track, which are popular with teenagers and young adults.

Interesting facts about the park include its history as a World War II training ground for the US Army, and its role as a filming location for the movie Twister. McCracken Park is also home to the Shawnee Farmer's Market, which is held on Saturdays during the summer months.

The best time of year to visit McCracken Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the water park is open. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for visitors throughout the year.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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