Oaklake Trails growing modestly; clothing still optional

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DEPEW – An influx of capital from several new shareholders has allowed the management at Oaklake Trails to dress up the 420-acre park with several new rental properties, expanded clubhouse space and bistro.

The one aspect that hasn’t been changed is the dress code: Clothing is still optional everywhere except the swimming pool, where it’s not allowed at all.

The only naturist park in Oklahoma abuts Interstate 44 near the Stroud exit, halfway between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Oaklake is modestly hidden in the wooded hills; there is no signage off Route 66, and visitors have to check in at an electronically locked gate.

Although park management enjoys showing off the grounds to potential new members, they also urge visitors to call ahead. Privacy and security are paramount to the sense of freedom afforded at the park, said Gary Spangler, president of Oaklake Trails Resort Inc.

Oaklake is a member of the American Association for Nude Recreation and played host during the organization’s national weeklong conventions in 2009 and in 2017. Hundreds of naturists from across the country passed through Stroud for those events, stopping at local shops for fuel and snacks, but not in any manner the Chamber of Commerce could count.

“We do not know Oaklake visitors as specifically being Oaklake visitors,” said Kyle Anderson, president of the Stroud Chamber of Commerce. “When they’re in town, they’re fully clothed.

“And Stroud experiences a ton of Route 66 traffic as it is because so many people, even internationally, make that historic road trip. There are certain times of the year when perhaps our tourism numbers are higher than others, but there’s no way to track that to Oaklake,” he said. “I know they are good neighbors. There certainly is not an adverse impact here.”

The park also hosts a 5-kilometer run through its nature trails each year, part of a national organization’s southwest 5K regional circuit. Spangler said the clothing-optional event in May had its largest registration so far with 125 people. Shoes were worn by many along the parks trails, and a few opted for sports bras and hats.

Naturists enjoy all the same activities that anyone else would, sans clothing. So the park holds a lot of community events, such as fireworks shows during Independence Day and bratwurst cookouts for Oktoberfest. Nondenominational religious services are held every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the park chapel. Nudity is an accoutrement of culture, neither good nor bad of itself, Spangler said.

When the park hosted the AANR a decade ago, organization members voted to affirm that point: In the pursuit of family recreation, naturists categorically reject any exploitation of the human body. Overt sexual activity is grounds for Oaklake membership revocation.

Oaklake members also enjoy hiking along the park’s 5 miles of unpaved trails, holding dances and playing golf. A new playground set was recently installed for children. And the park has an 18-hole course … almost. The three holes have to be played six times each.

It’s not hyperbole when Spangler and other members brag about beautiful views at Oaklake. The property has nine lakes or ponds, the largest of which is stocked for fishing. The park is actually the highest point in Creek County, according to the three Geodetic Survey markers placed by the federal government. Every peak looks over the rest of the state.

From a developer’s perspective, Oaklake has huge potential as a premier golf resort, said the board’s treasurer, who asked to not be identified. He is an executive in the suit-and-tie business world outside the park and said he doesn’t want undue attention to his lifestyle out of the office.

“The golf option is something we’re looking into,” the treasurer said. “Water would be a problem, but there’s drought-resistant grass that could work.

“We can become a destination resort by doing a few simple things that cost a reasonable amount of money,” the treasurer said. “You need a water feature for the wintertime – the pools are already heated; we could enclose them. And we can easily expand out to other plateaus on the property by running out utilities to build more residences and roads. … All we need is small group of people who want to lay down a little money into those lots. We could even have a mini-motel out here.

“But then there’s the side that says, let’s get rid of everybody else and stay small,” he said. “We would still be happy.”

At Oaklake’s origin, founders had the foresight to ask county officials that it be zoned in 14 sections so that they could develop residences, an amphitheater, retail, horse stables and other uses. One of the zones allows the build-out of a full 18-hole golf course, Spangler said. The park has 30 permanent residences through long-term leases.

Recent capital improvements include three new duplexes, a clubhouse and chapel. The first swimming pool installed years ago cost about $45,000; the second pool cost $105,000 for the same size. The park also has two water wells with another scheduled for installation next year.

Those investments are paying off. Nine years ago, each share of ownership in the park was $4.79; this year a share is worth $8.06, with 108,000 outstanding held by 19 stockholders. Over the same period, the shareholder count has nearly doubled as well. The corporation requires a minimum of 2,000 shares to buy in; a few of the more recent additions have invested well beyond that, Spangler said.

“We invest in ourselves,” the treasurer said. “What’s driving the price is land value, the general profitability of the corporation, and proper valuation of the buildings in addition to capital improvements. … We have a very simple, fundamental philosophy: Happiness is positive cash flow.”

The park captures revenue from renting space in a wide range of options: RV campers, duplex houses, individual cabins, regular residences, storage space for regular visitors. Then there are day fees, annual membership fees, and vendor fees and registrations for events such as the 5K run.

The park also has untapped potential for small business entrepreneurs who understand the culture, officials said. One of the residents sells hats; another offers massage therapy. The park’s exterminator picks up accounts from his exposure to community.

The Bare Buns Bistro has been open in the park for a few years, but only recently were operations taken over by Patricia Lawson. As a self-described “purveyor of fine cuisine,” Lawson is responsible for a menu ranging from omelets to tater tots to salmon. She hired her daughter and a close friend to work the kitchen in accordance with Health Department inspection standards and common sense – there is no clothing option when dealing with hot grease.

“It’s been an absolute joy being out here,” Lawson said, adding that she was invited to join from outside the naturist community because she had catered several events. “But they convinced me, and I found it’s such a unique environment and such wonderful people. … I’ve been converted.”

The park has no plans to add a sunscreen or towel vendor, however. The office gift shop has basic amenities covered just like any other resort. Thick towels with the Oaklake logo embroidered fly off the shelves at $25 each.

“And because we’re a hospitality business, we also charge cancellation fees, just like any other resort,” said office manager Darren Shields, the park’s head meet-and-greeter. “That income category has been going up lately as we hold people accountable.”

Park membership has seen a big spike in interest lately, growing from 219 membership accounts, which include couples and families, in 2017 to 279 accounts this month. By individual body count, Spangler said that’s a 23 percent increase. The park’s $74,000 clubhouse expansion, which more than tripled the original space to 4,400 square feet, was already filled to capacity when it opened over Labor Day.

The treasurer credited increased internet advertising and Shields’ interpersonal skills for the growth. Shields culls questionable personalities by requiring a legal background check.

Oaklake is a refuge from strictures of the larger world, Spangler said, and park members want it to stay that way, further development or not. A sign on the front gate reminds those leaving, “Clothing required beyond this point.”