Lawton, Oklahoma has been making strides in improving its public infrastructure and community engagement through the Lawton Citizens Academy. This week, participants had the opportunity to explore the city’s Engineering and Planning departments, gaining insight into ongoing projects and future developments.
The Engineering Department of Lawton, in collaboration with LATS (Lawton Area Transit System), organized a tour of Elmer Thomas Park. The goal was to showcase various engineering projects that are currently underway, allowing citizens to visualize how these areas will look once completed.
“We’re going to let them use their mind’s eye to see how the park is gonna look after it’s completed,” said Mike Jones, the Director of the Engineering Department. “We’re going to visit the McMahon Auditorium and talk about improvements there that include an elevator system. We’re also going to visit the Great Plains Museum and discuss the planned enhancements.”
Participants in the Lawton Citizens Academy were enthusiastic throughout the tour, engaging in lively discussions and asking numerous questions. One participant, Nicole Jones, shared that this was her favorite part of the class.
“I had never been on the LATS bus before, so it was pretty fun for the first time,” Nicole said. “My favorite part was the Engineering Department when we went through the McMahon Auditorium. I really enjoyed hearing about the expansion plans.”
Mike provided details about the upcoming renovations at the McMahon Auditorium. “So we’re doing a major renovation to McMahon,” he explained. “Until now, the auditorium hasn’t had an elevator, so it’s getting one, along with new accessible restrooms upstairs and ADA-compliant restrooms.”
Nicole also highlighted the amphitheater in Elmer Thomas Park as another highlight of the tour. According to Mike, the area will be grassed, but it will also feature seating for more than 5,000 people. “The walking trails and food truck area will be expanded, making it a great spot for the city of Lawton, especially near the Aquatic Center, which is already open.”
Mike also discussed the goals for the Great Plains Museum. “What we’re doing in the park is to present the best face possible, and we’re going to do the same thing here with the museum,” he said. “It’s at a point where we need to give it some attention, invest some money, and improve it both in ways you can see and in ways you might not notice.”
After the tour, participants returned to City Hall for a presentation from the Planning Department. Christine James, the Planning Director for the City of Lawton, shared valuable information about property ownership and local regulations.
“Learn your property, learn what your lot looks like, and where your easements are,” James advised. “That information is publicly available, and we can help you find out what your lot looks like. Odds are, you probably have easements that you’re not aware of, so it’s important to educate yourself on your property.”
Nicole, who is a renter and does not own her home, found the discussion on property lines and rights particularly interesting. “It was interesting to learn about the difference between owners’ rights and the city’s rights,” she said. “It’s important to understand how we all need to coexist and protect our own rights around our homes.”
Jones expressed her appreciation for the entire Lawton Citizens Academy experience. “I’ve loved every single week of the program because each session is exciting,” she said. “I would definitely recommend anyone take the class.”
