Glenpool Named 'Best Place To Raise Your Kids' In Oklahoma

NewsOn6.com

GLENPOOL, Oklahoma -- Glenpool is the best place to raise your kids in Oklahoma, according to an article published Friday in Bloomberg Businessweek. The city of just over 9,000 people was lauded for surviving the recession in much better shape than many towns – largely from the growth in retail sales from 2008 to 2009.

Retail sales rose from $91 million to $125 million in that year as development – including a Super Walmart – made its way down U.S. Highway 75 to the "Town that made Tulsa famous."

The article also notes Glenpool's "great schools, a skate park and golf courses."

Glenpool Schools Superintendent Kathy Coley has no argument with Businessweek.

"We agree with the article," she said Friday morning. "Glenpool's a great place to raise your kids. There's a lot for the kids to do, and it's a close knit community."

Coley, who has been with the school system for 34 years, said the community is just the right size to provide for its children.

"We're small, but we're not too small," she said. "Everybody works together, and it's good for the kids."

"They concentrated on places families like to be and found out something we've known for a long time: that Glenpool is a great way to raise a family," said Glenpool Mayor Shayne Buchanan.

The mayor was especially pleased that the new designation recognizes the progress the city has made in providing activities for kids.

"When I first ran for council, the number one issue was roads, the number two issue was that there was nothing for kids to do," he said.

Glenpool voters seem satisfied with the city's growth - rejecting three bond issues last week that would have provided millions for street repairs, a new sports complex and a cemetery.

12/14/2010 Related Story: Glenpool Voters Reject, Jenks Voters Approve Bond Issues 

Businessweek lists the median family income in Glenpool as $59,374. Buchanan said the magazine focused on locations where the average family's income is not much greater or lower than the national average.

Fort Gibson is named as runner up in the "Best Place To Raise Your Kids" feature. The story looked at factors including cost of living, crime rates, school performance, air quality and ethnic diversity.