OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - This week the Oklahoma City Council voted to approve funding for Wiley Post Park honoring the legacy of the USS Oklahoma City submarine.
Identifying and creating a home for the memorial has been years in the making, said City leaders in a press release.
According to City Officials, the vote was unanimous in allocating $4.75 million to improve the north shore of Wiley Post Park. Construction is expected to kick off 2025 with the memorial set to open in 2026. The upgrade of Wiley Post Park will include a variety of projects, including scenic river overlooks, playgrounds, an amphitheater, and other amenities. The centerpiece of the park will be the USS Oklahoma City memorial plaza. The plaza will be designed to showcase the submarine’s sail and two dive planes.
“This is such a significant step forward, and we are grateful to the City Council and the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust for their investment in this project. We love Wiley Post Park, and the improvements to come are needed and exciting. We are so proud to be part of the effort to bring the USS Oklahoma City monument to our residents. We can’t wait for this project to come to life.”
Melinda McMillan-Miller, Parks Director
The park improvements are funded by a combination of federal, local, and private dollars. City leaders say, $3.65 million comes from federal pandemic relief funds with the City Council contributing an additional $4.75 million in TIF funding to finish the project. Private donations will also be contributed.
“Since 2017, our committee has had a goal to find a suitable location in Oklahoma City to place the sail and dive planes from the City's namesake nuclear-powered submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723). In working with City leadership, former Mayor Ron Norick, and River Trust Chair Gary Marrs, we have finally found the perfect location. Once constructed, Oklahoma City residents, visitors and young people will have the opportunity to visit, learn and see a piece of naval history, which proudly carried the name ‘Oklahoma City’ around the world, projecting power and preserving our nation's freedom.”
Greg Slavonic, retired Rear Admiral and former Under Secretary of the Navy
“Oklahoma City is privileged to honor and recognize all who served on the USS Oklahoma City submarine (SSN 723). We welcome these submariners, their families, and friends and want to hear the stories and memories as they visit the USS Oklahoma City Memorial Park along the Oklahoma River. For over 34 years, our mayor, council, and residents exhibited great pride in our namesake sub and in welcoming these submariners to Oklahoma City, their second home. We are pleased to honor all who admirably served on the vessel that protected and preserved our freedoms.”
Debi Martin, the Oklahoma City Council chief of staff
The USS Oklahoma City (SSN-723) was a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine commissioned in 1988. The USS Oklahoma City supported various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. It was the first submarine to use digital charts, and it had a crew of 129 sailors. The nuclear-powered attack submarine’s motto was “The Sooner, The Better.” It was decommissioned in 2022, according to the City officials.
