Around 1945, Bill Beasley and his fishing buddies, Albert Carter and Russell Walker, decided to create a playground for children. Various community groups set up booths and games in the streets of downtown to raise money to fund this play area. That initial event was so successful that the groups repeated the event the following year. With the money raised from these events, the group bought a railroad engine, cars, and track that had been found in Tulsa. Kiddie Park was born around this train. With volunteer help of carpenters, electricians, community organizations, and donated supplies, the community pulled together and built the Kiddie Park. At that time it was located in West Park on the northeast corner of Frank Phillips Blvd. and Santa Fe Avenue, where REDA/Schlumberger is today. As REDA continued to grow, Kiddie Park was relocated in 1956 to its present site within Johnstone Park. It is run by the Bartlesville Playground Association, a non-profit organization. Representatives of local civic clubs and organizations are members of the Playground Association.
Copyright 2008-2015. Bartlesville Heritage Trail. All rights reserved.
18
Kiddie Park
NE Cherokee Avenue, at Johnstone Park