May 26, 2021

Did local park once have a botanical garden and racetrack?

Posted May 26, 2021 4:30 PM
<b>An historic Oakdale Park postcard.</b> Photo courtesy Smoky Hill Museum
An historic Oakdale Park postcard. Photo courtesy Smoky Hill Museum

By SALINA POST

What do a botanical garden, a racetrack and a museum all have in common? At one time or another they were all part of Oakdale Park!

Oakdale Park will be the subject of a free Zoom presentation from the Smoky Hill Museum June 3.

Oakdale Park: Salina’s gathering place since 1881 is scheduled for 5:30-6:30 p.m. June 3. Go to www.smokyhillmuseum.org/oak-dale-park.html and register to receive the link.

Learn about the beautiful Oakdale Park and its importance to Salina with Bob Ash, a former parks superintendent for the City of Salina. According to information from the museum, Ash will share about the park’s founding and the part it has played in Salina’s history.

Oakdale Park once housed a botanical garden, a racetrack, and a museum. Today, people enjoy the play equipment, tennis courts, and the Smoky Hill River Festival, but what did the park look like in years past? What happened there? How has it changed?

Find out during Ash's virtual presentation.