Lake Thunderbird has updated visitor perks

By Tami Althoff

Published: September 17, 2008

NORMAN — Offering a wide variety of activities both in and out of the water, Lake Thunderbird State Park just east of Norman draws nearly 800,000 visitors each year, park officials said. In addition to fishing, boating and other water sports, the 1,874-acre state park also offers sailing, camping, horseback riding, biking, hiking and more.

"There's a lot more to do at Lake Thunderbird State Park than boating,” park manager Susan Hendon said.

Those who visit the park will notice several improvements, including updated camping sites and a new nature center, Hendon said.

Turkey Pass Campground in the park's Clear Bay area has been totally renovated. The improvements include new concrete pads, electric wiring offering 50-amp service and water outlets for the campground's 44 campsites. New pay showers, tent sites and handicap accessible pads have also been added.

Hendon said more upgrades are planned later this year that include renovating more campgrounds and adding new playgrounds.

The park's new 2,500-square-foot nature center in the Clear Bay area is on Clear Bay Avenue, across from the Turkey Pass Campground. The $500,000 stone building featuring a vaulted ceiling, 12-foot-tall mural and wood-trimmed entrance is almost twice the size as the old center and will easily accommodate 100 people.

Colorful history placards on the walls describe who has lived in the park and what has happened there. A water resources area teaches visitors what happens with the water in Lake Thunderbird, and interactive display cases serve as educational tools on subjects such as lizards, snakes and other native wildlife.

Kathy Furneaux, park naturalist, said the new building will allow the nature center to offer new programming, including evening events.

The center hopes to add a nature trail that will include markers with information on trees, birds and animals.

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