Plaque honoring former Councilman Sam Bowman installed at Swatek Park

City leaders honored former Ward 2 Councilman Sam Bowman with a plaque at Swatek Park, recognizing his work in neighborhood development, public safety and community involvement. 

A Cleveland neighborhood resident since 1970, Bowman brought decades of experience to City Hall. Before his election, he served as executive director of Neighborhood Services Organization and as a program officer at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. His background helped him effectively advocate for neighborhoods both during and after his time in office. 

“When I’ve knocked doors during council elections, a majority of Ward 2 voters advocated making neighborhoods more walkable and accessible so students, workers and seniors can navigate their city safely, regardless how they move,” Ward 2 Councilperson James Cooper said. “Unfortunately, OKC’s government let walkable neighborhoods become an ignored priority when—since WWII—we stopped building sidewalks until my predecessor, the late Sam Bowman, championed creating OKC’s first sidewalk master plan.” 

Cooper added that the project’s funding combined Better Streets, Safer City sales tax, bond funds and American Rescue Plan Act funding. 

“Representing Ward 2, I help to make sure we reinvestment in OKC’s people, parks and places to honor Sam’s work,” Cooper said. “With this plaque along a new multi-use trail on NW 30th Street, near NW Classen High School, Swatek Park and Sam’s former home, we celebrate his legacy.” 

During his eight years on the City Council (2003–2011), Bowman focused on bicycle safety, sidewalk improvements and public transportation. He also played a key role in the Chesapeake Energy campus development and worked with city and state agencies to ease traffic near Penn Square Mall. 

Bowman supported OKC Public Schools, the Whiz Kids mentoring program, MAPS initiatives and numerous community partnerships. Bowman passed away in 2021 and is survived by his daughters, April and Samantha, and his grandchildren, Hannah and Aaron.