Park to highlight Oklahoma’s naval history

Image rendering courtesy of © Beck Design

Oklahoma City visitors can soon touch a piece of naval history. The USS Oklahoma City submarine’s sail and diving planes will serve as centerpieces of a new park along the Oklahoma River. It will be on the north shore of Wiley Post Park.

The USS Oklahoma City sub served the Navy from 1988-2022. It supported various missions including anti-submarine warfare, strike warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The nuclear-powered attack sub held a complement of 129 sailors.

The USS Oklahoma City Park Association is raising money for the project. Leading the fundraising efforts are Retired Navy Commander Tucker McHugh, former Under Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic and architect Don Beck.

The park will also feature items from the USS Oklahoma City cruiser commissioned in 1944. It was the first US Naval ship to be named after Oklahoma City, and the first U.S. warship to conduct a successful combat surface-to-surface missile shot. The 610-foot cruiser supported military campaigns in the Western Pacific, South China Sea and Vietnam.


Image rendering courtesy of © Beck Design

Narrative panels throughout the park will detail each ship’s rich naval history.

“This park will honor the crews who served aboard the submarine and cruiser, which bared the name USS Oklahoma City for more than 80 years with service in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, First Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom,” said Slavonic. “The park will be an educational park and will allow the public to touch the sail from a real submarine and read the history of the submarine and cruiser on the many panels around the sail.”

Oklahoma City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority and the USS Oklahoma City Park Association to design and construct the commemorative display.

“It’s a great honor to provide the home for the USS Oklahoma City in Wiley Post Park,” said Parks and Recreation Director Melinda McMillan-Miller. “The new display will add to the attractions along the river and will continue to showcase Oklahoma’s important military history to future generations.”

The USS Oklahoma City Park Association hopes to open the exhibit in 2025.