Mesta Park, Oklahoma City

Mesta Park is a modern community set in a historical setting. The City of Oklahoma City has designated Mesta Park a Historic Preservation District.

Mesta Park runs from 16th Street North to 22nd Street and is bordered by Western Avenue on one side and Walker Avenue on another. A small peninsula is also found on the east side of the neighborhood, which runs down 22nd Street all the way to Robinson. Below is a map that gives an overview of the neighborhood. With proceeds from the 1968 General Obligation bond issue, the City of Oklahoma City purchased the land that we now call our neighborhood park in July 1974. It was then officially designated Perle Mesta Park by City Council in May 1975. The majority of the homes were either removed as complete units or parts in 1976.

The 1995 General Obligation bond issued funded the playground improvements. The gazebo was built in 2001 using funding from the Parks Department, Mesta Park Neighborhood and the Early Efforts Neighborhood grant program.

Nearly $150,000 has been invested in our neighborhood park by the Mesta Park Neighborhood Association, Perle Mesta Park friends and neighbors since 2001. We planted four Lacebark Elms on the west side where two abandoned apartment buildings had been removed. This was our first initiative. The first of four grants from the Margaret Annis Boys Trust, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, funded the trees.

In 2004, Dr. Stan and Raina Pelowsky funded the creation of a comprehensive park plan. Garden Design Associates’ plan included crepe myrtle beds and nearly twenty-six live oaks in the park. There was also a new entrance feature at the southwest corner. With the assistance of the Margaret Annis Boys Trust, the majority of the landscaping was completed in 2005. The southwest entry feature was funded by another generous donation from Pelofskys in 2007.

Two major safety projects were completed in 2009 A non-historic wall was removed from the Southeast entrance of the park and replaced with an open plaza. A partnership was formed with OG&E, Pelco Industries and Pelco Industries to install new lighting. The MPNA funded both projects, as well as private donors. Heritage Hills neighbors generously donated their time.

2013 was a generous year for the Pelofskys, who sponsored the installation and maintenance of the Southeast corner of the park’s terracing. This completed the scene for Perle Mesta Plaza. It is also the location of Mesta Festa and other community gatherings.

The replacement of the water meters that supply the park’s west side was funded by proceeds from two successful neighborhood fundraising events (Holiday Home Tour, Mesta Festa). This will allow for future expansion of the irrigation system. In 2017, two additional picnic tables were installed using these funds.