Neighborhood Picnic

October 20, 2001 Denniston Park neighbors came together for the first of many picnics. Around 100 neighbors attended. All age groups were well represented. This was a time to come together and meet new neighbors, rekindle old friendships and form new ones. The food was terrific! The association provided hot dogs, cake, drinks and condiments. Thanks to Walter Shields and Janet Cope for grilling - they did an excellent job!! I heard Sarah Ruckers' caserolle was a hit! Homeland Bakery on NW 36th and Penn provided two wonderful sheet cakes that were just incredibly decorated. Check out our pictures on this one. The baker, Bonnie, decorated two cakes with such detail. One cake was Denniston Park. She even made a street sign for Denniston Drive using a toothpick as a post. The other cake was a lake that represented the springfed lake that existed in our neighborhood prior to Denniston Park. Bill and Irene's Flower shop on NW 23rd provided a beautiful arrangement of balloons for our Denniston Park entry sign located on Drexel. We began our first year with a successful neighborhood picnic and playground dedication.

Playground Dedication

Fall of 2001 also was when our park received its wonderful playground. Therefore it seemed appropriate to begin our picnic with a ribbon-cutting playground dedication. Last years' president, Leann Morrow, mc'd the event did a wonderful job! Speakers included long-time resident, Barney Jackson who gave history of our park and neighborhood; Station #14 Fire Department on NW 23rd led by Major Boren and his crew; Helen Pape representing Ward 6 Commission attended, and concluding the ceremony was OKC Parks & Recreation Director, Wendel Whisenhunt who talked to the neighborhood about our new playground and gave some history of our park.
Along with the cermony, we were able to receive some media coverage. The Oklahoma Gazette listed our event in their calendar, KTOK radio station came out for sound bite, Channel 25 interviewed neighborhood president, Leann Morrow and the Daily Oklahoman wrote an article on neighborhood playgrounds and featured a picture our park in their article.

Prizes For All Age Groups

Towards the end of the picnic we began with drawing prizes. Local sponsors for this included: Mike Rankin(neighbor on Denniston Drive) donated two shrubs, Deana Jones donated hair cuts, neighbors on Drexel donated a coupon for Soup and Salad, Big-O-Tires donated an alignment, Security Lock donated a free key for each neighbor attending, Dental Depot donated t-shirts, Public Affairs with OK. Dept of Transportation donated several promotional items on their anti-litter campaign 'Keep Our Land Grand' and our 'BIG' drawing came from Rail Programs with Ok. Dept. of Transportation donated an Amtrak round trip ticket for two. We had so much fun!! We've posted pictures of this event for you to enjoy!