just for kids
Grab your ticket to fun
Bartlesville’s kid-friendly attractions delight young visitors
Bartlesville Kiddie Park A Bartlesville jewel is celebrating a big birthday this year, with a kid-friendly atmosphere that harkens revelers into another time. Kiddie Park in downtown Bartlesville’s Johnstone Park is turning 70 this year, and the pint-sized amusement park has never been better. The classic carousel’s horses received a glimmering coat of new paint this year, the Ferris wheel recently received lighting upgrades and the bumper cars are faster than ever. Locomotive 66, numbered in the tradition of Phillips 66, steams around the park giving kids and kids-at-heart a fun ride — complete with whistle blows, bells, and a tunnel where everyone screams as they journey back to the train station. In 1947, two years after World War II, a small amusement park opened on the corner of Frank Phillips Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue near present-day Schlumberger. Despite the proliferation of video games and team sports, the simple fun of Kiddie Park continues to provide a step back in time. In its present location in Johnstone Park 50
through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. until Aug. 12. Kiddie Park is closed Sunday and Monday, and will also be closed July 4. To celebrate the park’s 70th birthday, a big celebration is scheduled for May 27. With tickets priced at only 50 cents, an enjoyable evening can be had for very little cash. Speaking of, the park does not accept debit/credit cards so patrons will want to hit an ATM before visiting. And the last train ride is free.
Sooner Junior Miniature Golf Bartlesville’s Depot Train Display
since 1953, Kiddie Park features 17 rides including biplanes, water boats, bumper cars, Ferris wheel, roller coaster, a newlyrepaired carousel and the signature train ride. Starting May 5, for the first three weekends in May, the park will be open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. On May 26 after school has been dismissed for the summer, the park will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and Tuesday
Bartlesville Magazine VISITOR’S GUIDE 2017
A full 18-hole mini golf experience awaits children and families at Sooner Park, located in east Bartlesville on Madison Boulevard just south of Tuxedo Road. Opening on May 1, the fun goes on daily through the end of September. Normal hours are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sooner Junior Miniature Golf has received many upgrades, featuring new and improved holes to challenge putting skills. The course is operated by the Kiwanis Club of Bartlesville, as a service to the children of the area and as a fundraiser for scholarships given by the organization.