Elmer Thomas Park in Lawton, OK is not the most fascinating park ever. It was good enough for us back on July 26, 2025. My dog certainly appreciated it. We didn't stay here super long as I started getting anxious about the long drive back home. It's a public park. Free parking. There was a playground. A decent sized lake. Walking/running path. I stopped here mainly because the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center is just a few hundred yards away. Go touch grass! Your brain and heart will thank you. read more

Elmer Thomas Park - 7.26.2025 - Parks Near Me - Lawton, Oklahoma

This is a public park, but the only attraction is the local prairie dogs. Cool to see the prairie dogs in their environment. read more

Elmer Thomas Park - Parks Near Me - Lawton, Oklahoma

Don't get too excited about this area. Not much to see when it comes to scenery no matter what season of the year it is. But I do have to say that at least they attempt to do something seasonally and on holidays. It can be better though. PROS: - Walking/ Running cemented and dirt trail around the park. - A huge, but not well kept playground near the pond. - Pond you can fish and small boat but hardly anything to fish. - Splash park (not very well maintained bc some fountain play equipment are stained and looks like build up algae) and some are not operational. - Seasonal / Holiday attractions (I.e. Christmas lights, Small pop up flea market and tents, drive thru seasonal/ holiday attractions. Etc) - Two Museums near park - Small dog walk CONS: - Ponds is filled will turtles so fishing is hard and not stocked - Minor attractions that could be more - Pricey when it comes to asking to establish an event of some sort - Maintenance on the parks and facility around the park aren't maintained well read more

So pretty. Great place e to relax and look around. They even have a playground. Lots of wildlife and it's easy to host events or activities. read more

See all

If you haven't been here, you're missing out. They have a great covered playground for kids to play on. They are working to raise money to ass in an inclusive area. They have a free spray park that is supervised. And it's wonderful. Covered areas to sit while kids play makes this a nice stop There are several places to being picnic lunches and eat with the family. Or do kike otters and bring a blanket to sit on. Want to feed the prairie dogs or ducks and geese? They have that too. Fourth of July or Christmas? Check that off your list. Military memorials to our men and women? Yep. Including the forgotten war. Other special events throughout the year. Need a place to walk? Yes, the have a cenentee railway that you can walk around the park and push a stroller MS walk has their walk every year. So many. Check it out. read more

This park is located right off the highway with easy access in and out at a couple locations. I always like parks. I love trees in a park though, and this one is a tad barren. It's more like a prairie park. Lots of wide open land. Nice paved paths for walking or running. Nice big lake for fishing and feeding ducks. The huge playground is a nice feature. I am in awe, and jealous, of it that I never had something like that as a kid. Oh, the adventures that could have been had on it! They hold a couple festivals here during the year. The organizers have it down pat. Very enjoyable and well organized to attend. I love the International Festival with all the different food and music!! :-) The Museum of the Great Plains is located next to the park, definitely a must see to experience the history of this part of Oklahoma! read more

Elmer Thomas Park - Changes colors throughout the night. - Parks Near Me - Lawton, Oklahoma

Love coming to this park for a great run, the lake is also really nice, great sunsets. Park is clean and usually has more traffic in the evenings. Looking forward to the upcoming festivals at the park. read more

Elmer Thomas Park - Parks Near Me - Lawton, Oklahoma

See all

Elmer Thomas Park was one of the first places I remember when I drove into Lawton. Unfortunately, it is probably one of the nicer locations around (j/k). This is a three acre park w/ a nice, paved 1.5 mile biking/running track. This park has a big stage and hosts numerous events throughout the year. The Lawton Parks and Recreation Department refers to Elmer Thomas as, "Lawton's Prairie Oasis". It is beautiful park w/ a big lake and Prairie Dogs EVERYWHERE. Be careful walking thru the grass - you can easily break a leg stepping into one of the many Prairie Dog tunnels. There is a brand new outdoor playground, a Veterans Memorial Park, various military equipment on display and some type of softball field. Quite a bit of stuff going on for a park. I really enjoy running in this park and feel completely safe. read more

See all

The park is lit up at night with Christmas light decorations. The staff really did a good job with decorating the park. Any tourists or home-born locals should definitely make an effort to show your support and visit the park. You can drive and/or park or just walk through the park and enjoy the sights and take pictures. The staff are on site at the end of the park to thank you for visiting. I noticed kid and adults who were enjoying the sites. This is good for all age limits. read more

Elmer Thomas Park - Parks Near Me - Lawton, Oklahoma

See all

Lived in Lawton, OK for rotations during the Winter. I'm used to seeing Christmas lights everywhere in Los Angeles, but I didn't see much here. Although, I did get snow here which never happens in LA, thank god because LA drivers in snow would be chaos. You can see it from the highway, which is how I found it. It was nice to walk around the park and see all the lights and displays by different donors. The park even has a military tank! I guess you can go to artillery museum in Lawton to see those too, but it's still cool. Pretty large park so you can spend a while walking around and checking out all the details. They were all really cute. I'd recommend coming here if you want to see Christmas lights! read more

This was a good park to stop at on our road trip. Nice new playground that was fenced in and clean bathrooms. Easy access to and from highway 44. My big kids and toddler enjoyed playing. read more

I grew up in Lawton,Elmer Thomas Park was the hangout. We would BBQ at the pavilion and fish the lake. As we got older the park became some of our best memories as kids. Two decades later the park was known as Prairie dog town. read more

I'm 53 and had some of the best times of my life here with my grandmother and great aunt and uncle. The prairie dog village was and is one of the best things ever. THANK YOU, people of Lawton for not letting the town do away with it. read more