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Midwest City renames Omni Park to Espie Park to honor longtime volunteer Espanola Bowen
Summary
The council voted to rename Omni Park "Espie Park" in honor of Espanola "Espie" Bowen, who described securing the park's original grant and her decades of volunteer work; several residents and council members praised her service before the motion passed.
The Midwest City Council voted to rename Omni Park as Espie Park to honor resident and longtime volunteer Espanola "Espie" Bowen.
Supporters spoke on Bowen's behalf and Bowen addressed the council, recounting how she wrote an early $10,000 grant to secure the parkland and then persuaded an owner to sell part of the field to the community. Bowen said $8,000 of the grant was used to secure the park and an additional $2,000 funded a walkway; she said she expects new playground equipment and voiced a commitment to maintaining the park while she lives in the city.
Council members and public speakers lauded Bowen's decades of community service. Councilor remarks described the renaming as a long-overdue recognition of Bowen's leadership on the park project. Bowen chose the park name's shorter form at the podium, telling the council she is known as "Espie" and asking that the park be called "SP Park"; the council recorded the motion and approved the renaming by voice vote.
What comes next: staff will update signage and event materials to reflect the new park name and the council and community expect a dedication and community celebration.
