City to extend rec center hours, sponsor zoo camps in event teachers strike

If public school teachers go on strike, Oklahoma City plans to extend operating hours at nine recreation centers and conduct all-day camps at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Teachers' unions have set a tentative strike date of April 2. They are seeking pay raises and education funding increases.

Recreation centers are free. Zoo camps for children ages 4 to 11 will require advance registration and a $45 daily fee.

Recreation centers

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From April 2 until the walkout ends, nine recreation centers will be open for schoolchildren from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays:

• Douglass Recreation Center, 900 N Frederick Douglass Ave., 297-1416 (EMBARK Route 022 to MLK and Douglass plus 3 blocks)
• Macklanburg Recreation Center, 2234 NW 117^th Street, 297-1428 (EMBARK Route 005 to NW 188^th and Penn)
• Melrose Recreation Center, 7800 W Melrose Lane, 297-1431 (EMBARK Route 038 to Council and Melrose plus 3 blocks)
• Minnis Lakeview Recreation Center, 12520 NE 36^th Street, 297-1432 (EMBARK Route 019 to NE 36^th and Smith)
• Pilot Recreation Center, 1435 NW 2^nd Street, 297-1438 (EMBARK Route 009 to Main and McKinley plus 2 blocks)
• Pitts Recreation Center, 1920 N Kate Ave., 297-1440 (EMBARK Route 002 to NE 20^th and Lottie plus 2 blocks)
• Schilling Recreation Center, 539 SE 25^th Street, 297-1442 (EMBARK Route 011 to SE 25^th and Central pluls 2 blocks)
• Sellers Recreation Center, 8301 S Villa Ave., 297-1445 (EMBARK Route 016 to SW 82^nd Penn plus 6 blocks)
• Southern Oaks Recreation Center, 400 SW 66^th Street, 297-1449 (EMBARK Route 040 to SW 67^th and Walker plus 3 blocks)

Officials said the Parks Department was working on a plan with Oklahoma City Public Schools and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to provide meals for students at the recreation centers.

The Food Bank is accepting donations and organizing volunteers to help feed public school students at regionalfoodbank.org/supportstudents.

Parks summer camps and other activities begin May 29. Learn more  about summer programs and activities at okc.gov/parks.

Zoo camps

The Oklahoma City Zoo plans to conduct weekday camps should a walkout occur, hosted by the Education Department.

Camps are for children ages 4 to 11.

Advanced registration and payment is required and campers must provide immunization records.

Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., with drop-off at the Zoo’s Education Center beginning at 8:20 a.m.

The cost is $45 per child per day. For additional information or to register, call 425-0218 or visit okczoo.org.

Regular zoo admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children ages 3 to 11.

Embark bus route 022 stops at the zoo, 2101 NE 50^th Street.