With the trend of urbanization and urban sprawl, green spaces and open trails are becoming more important every day. The utilization of existing green spaces for recreational purposes is an important aspect for any diverse and growing community. The three-mile trail system of the Ray Harral Nature Park provides a space for not only recreation but also an escape from the restlessness of the everyday business that life can bring.

The trails that make up the Ray Harral Nature Park are lined with historical significance that reflect the City of Broken Arrow's personal development and growth. In 1911, the site where the park currently stands became the source of water for the newly found town of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The springs are still flowing today and serve as an important reminder of the wonders the outdoors can bring. In the decades that followed, the City of Broken Arrow kept the piece of land that surrounded these springs. By 1983, the city drafted the first designs of the nature park including the original trail system. Signs of the original use of the land are still visible in the park today. These aspects of the park serve as a great reminder to visitors that in the middle of this piece of wilderness stands an important marker for the development of growth of Northeastern Oklahoma.

What makes this area so special is the wonderful sense of community that incorporated in the park trail system. The park has two access points away from the main entrance by the nature center that give access to the surrounding neighborhoods. This gives many families access to this wonderful recreation opportunity and allows further development for health benefits to the surrounding community. The entire trail system wraps around the City of Broken Arrow's Nature Center. With a minimum of 8-foot wide trails, safety is insured by allowing access to emergency vehicles at every spot on the trails. A solid community presence and available help from onsite staff ensures that safety is a top priority on this trail system.

The trail system is in the shape of a horseshoe leading back around to the Nature Center where both major trailheads are located. This dynamic of the Ray Harral Nature Park trail system allows us to cater to both beginner and intermediate hikers. While a greater percentage of the trail system is paved and perfect for the family with a stroller, another portion of it is compacted stone. The trails remain shaded for the majority of the year with the thick canopy covering roughly 85% of the park. In addition to the standard hiker, these trails are friendly and accessible for both mountain bikers, and trail runners. There are several pet service stations throughout the park for pet owners. Pets are permitted to join on the trails as long as they are on a leash.

The Ray Harral Nature Park trail system is owned and maintained by the City of Broken Arrow Parks and Recreation Department. Our nature park trail system along with the many other great parks in this city, follows the guidelines outlined in the Parks and Recreation Department's mission statement; "Safe, Clean, Friendly Fun." Maintenance crews along with Nature Center staff assess the trail safety and address the daily park needs. Extra features of this wonderful resource are provided by partnerships of organizations such as the Tulsa Area Master Gardeners, the Tulsa Audubon Society, and the local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops. Throughout the park, several Monarch Gardens have been planted to sponsor the citizen science work of Monarch Watch. All of these features are utilized by the local school systems to further their students' understandings of the outdoors and the environment. Another scenic feature of the park is the iconic suspension bridge totaling over 90 feet long and over 30 feet high.

This wonderful trail network is an awesome resource that brings visitors in from all over the greater northeastern Oklahoma area and even the surrounding states. The recreational opportunity it provides individuals and families serves as an amazing reminder that an escape from the everyday business that life brings, can often be found right in our own back yards.