Heart In The Park Labyrinth
- Jonathan Elmore
- Jul 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 16
TONKAWA
When I see or hear the word "Labyrinth" my mind automatically goes to David Bowie as the Goblin King. But once the sparkly cinematic fog clears from my mind, I look to see where it is and how I can get there.
I discovered that Tonkawa is about an hour from my house and it is the home of the Heart In The Park Labyrinth, the only heart-shaped labyrinth in the world. Pretty cool, right?! I made my way over there and had no problem finding the park just past downtown in Centennial Park.
Concieved by local artist Audrey Schmitz, the labyrinth celebrates the centennial birthday of Oklahoma. The Tonkawa residents that volunteered to make this project happen found a builder for the concept, Marty Kermeen. I think between Audrey's designs and Marty's inginuity, they completed a truly unique experience in the "Wheatheart" of Oklahoma. I've always found these walking labyrinths to be a small break from the sometimes chaotic world around me. Get on the path and don't think about anything but your next step as you draw closer and closer to the center. By the time I reached the center heart, my breath was a little calmer, my heart was a little slower, and my mind was a little clearer. That's the effect labyrinths have on me. If you go check out this cool monument, you can see if it does the same for you.
In Centennial Park where the Heart is located, they have gatherings, festivals, and concerts so, if you planned right, you could walk the path and take in a show too.
301 E. Grand Ave, Tonkawa, OK
580-628-3400
Jonathan Elmore ©2025
