Woodward Park and Gardens
4.7(2.8K)google
4.6(36)yelp
Hiking
Overview
Woodward Park is a 45-acre (18 ha) public park, botanical garden, and arboretum located between 21st Street and 24th Street east of South Peoria Avenue and west of South Rockford Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the Midwestern United States. The park, named for Helen Woodward, the original property owner, was established in 1929, after a lengthy court suit over ownership. The park was designed to provide its visitors experience with a variety of horticultural subjects.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-3 hours
Best TimeMid-spring to early summer (May-June) when the multi-tiered municipal rose garden explosions hit full maturity is unmatched. Walk the paved sunken formal brick paths between 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM on a weekday to catch the morning light filtering across the English-style conservatory and historic stone fountains.
Getting TherePerfectly nestled in an elegant midtown historic neighborhood at 2435 S Peoria Ave. Drive south from downtown directly along S Peoria Ave for 5 minutes to the 21st St intersection; the park entrance appears on the left, featuring abundant tree-shaded complimentary parking slots lining the loop road.
Travel Tips
- Park within the designated free stalls near 21st Street or fronting the historic Tulsa Garden Center mansion; neighboring historic residential blocks enforce strict permit-only restrictions, and out-of-state rental vehicles parked illegally are swiftly ticketed and impounded by municipal city units.
Photo Tips
Best LightThis 45-acre historic garden offers completely free pedestrian access; the premier rose terraces hit peak aesthetic bloom windows strictly from May through June and mid-October, presenting largely bare red clay and pruned brush during alternative colder or hotter mid-summer seasons.
Photo Rules
- Recreational drones, micro-scooters, and bicycles are barred from all walking lawns; leaning camera tripods against historical stone statuary is illegal, and professional portrait operations (e.g., weddings, graduations) must pre-purchase a commercial photography permit from the Tulsa Parks office.
Reviews
Positive
- The historic municipal Rose Garden bursts into vibrant colors during peak bloom, with classical stone fountains and towering ancient trees creating great views.
- The park grounds feature the elegant Linnaeus Greenhouse, packed with exotic flora and offering highly comfortable, flat, fully accessible paths.
- Located in a premium central neighborhood, its position is superb and easy to reach; it is open for free with complimentary parking, offering unbeatable value.
- Shaded expansive lawns are dotted with leisure benches and clean public trash bins, preserving a rich, serene sense of authentic natural peacefulness.
Heads up
- Some old stone steps and sloped paths in the historic rose garden show cracks and wear, lacking concrete patches and forcing strollers to bypass.
- On warm spring and summer weekends, the park fills with graduation and wedding photo shoots, with high crowd density causing long waits at core spots.
- The public restrooms near the greenhouse exterior feel outdated; flush valves occasionally malfunction, and cleaning frequencies lag during peak hours.
- The surrounding intersections lack prominent international signs; if the main parking lot fills up, out-of-town drivers struggle to find safe street parking.