The club is considered a “sports club” due to the general volunteer members affiliated with the club and based on the type of programs our club sponsors. In 1981, the Northwest Optimist Club entered into a lease agreement with the City of Oklahoma City to maintain the premises and coordinate children’s athletics within Dolese Park, located at 50th and North Meridian. This lease agreement was extended in March of 2016 for an additional fifteen years. The lease extension allowed for us to secure location of our athletic programs and begin intensive capital improvements throughout the park, which in turn, are conveyed to the City of Oklahoma City.
The 40-acre facility is comprised of two (2) regulation sized baseball fields; which host the Class A& B State High School Baseball Championship, State High School Regional Play, Sunbelt Classic Camp, Oklahoma City All-City High School Baseball Tournament and the Northwest Optimist High School Baseball Tournament. The fields are also home to several summer Legion teams and Oklahoma City high school baseball teams. There are six (6) soccer fields located within the complex (three of full regulation) that provide spring and fall leagues for recreational to competitive play. Recently the facility has become home to Southwestern Christian University Baseball and will be the future home to their softball and soccer programs.
Dolese Park provides excellent Interstate access and offers several “fan friendly” amenities. Parking for over 330 visitors. Lighted fields, proper fencing, sprinkled fields, ADA compliant restrooms, concessions, bleacher seating, public address system and friendly volunteer service oriented people are also features that contribute to the success of our facility. Other improvements located throughout the grounds consist of a “media ready” press box, officials building, maintenance and restroom facility and soccer and baseball concessions buildings.
The playing surfaces throughout the complex are considered as some of the best in Oklahoma City and throughout the state. Dolese #1 (Palmer Field) was voted Oklahoma Field of the Year (West) by the Oklahoma Baseball Coaches Association. The volunteer members ensure state-of-the-art preparation and maintenance programs for each sporting event.
Other programs our club participates in include essay contest (high school); oratorical contest (high school); fishing derby, bike safety, etc. If you would like to schedule a tour of the facility or speak with me regarding our club and the programs offered please contact me at 405-826-3838.
