10 Healthy Things to Do This Summer in Pottawatomie County

Originally published in the June 2026 issue of Shawnee Outlook

Green stalks of corn are shooting up along the roadsides, school bells have gone quiet, and the heat index is already making its presence known. It can only mean one thing: summer has arrived in Pottawatomie County. 

The good news is that our community is packed with ways to get out and about — and turns out, doing just that is more important than you might think. Data from the 2024 Pottawatomie County Community Health Needs Assessment (2024) shows that adults who feel connected to others are significantly more likely to stay active, with socially connected adults nearly 50% more likely to hit the recommended weekly exercise minimums than those who feel isolated. 

So grab somebody and get moving! Whether you're swimming Twin Lakes at sunrise, bowling on a Tuesday night, or soaking up the sun at a splash pad, here are some of Pogo's favorite ways to have a good-for-you summer right here at home.

Soak Up Some Sun at Twin Lakes

Turns out, grandma was right. Outside time does wonders for the mind, body, and soul. The two lakes offer 25 combined miles of shoreline and more ways to spend a Saturday than you've got Saturdays. Swimming is free in designated areas on Lake 1, and if you have a boat, tubing, skiing, or just jumping right in are sure to get the heart pumping too. If fishing is more your speed, cast a line for bass, crappie, sand bass, or channel catfish. There's even a fully enclosed fishing dock for a little shade on those scorcher days.

Stock Up at a Farmers Market

Few things say summer like the taste of farm fresh tomato…or okra or sweet corn or watermelon. Luckily, Pottawatomie County has tons of farmers markets worth your weekend mornings. The Shawnee Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday on MacArthur, and markets have kicked up across McLoud and Tecumseh too. For something truly local, the Monks' Marketplace at St. Gregory's sells raw honey, grass-fed beef, and free-range eggs raised right on the abbey grounds. There's a real difference between a pepper that traveled 1,500 miles and one that was picked yesterday, and buying from neighbors connects your plate to the place you live in a way a grocery store just can't touch. 

Go for a Round of Disc Golf

Ranked among the top disc golf cities in Oklahoma, Shawnee is a low-key mecca for the sport. Four courses are open to the public, so if you've ever wanted to give it a whirl, you're in the right zip code. The Immanuel Baptist Church course on East 45th Street is a local favorite, with heavily wooded fairways and elevation changes to keep you on your toes. The 18-hole course at OBU is one of the more scenic rounds you'll find in central Oklahoma. For beginners or a quick round after work, the shorter courses at Boy Scout Park and Barrett's Birdie Run are the move. Best of all, disc golf is free — and by the end of a round you'll have walked a couple of miles without thinking twice about it.

Hit the Greens

Golf gets undersold as exercise, and Pogo is here to make a case for it. You’re getting some Vitamin D, you’re walking around four miles, and every hole gives your brain something to chew on. FireLake Golf Course has been Shawnee's only public course since 1983, owned and operated by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. The fairways are lined with native grass and old-growth pecan orchards, and water comes into play on 13 of the 18 holes. If you have an in, Shawnee Country Club and Elks Lodge are worth a round too. 

Cool Down at Shawnee Splash Waterpark

When the heat index nears triple digits, nothing cools you down like good old H2O. Shawnee Splash Water Park has everything you need to stay active on a summer afternoon through mid-August. Get some laps in the regulation-size pool, let the kids burn some energy on the spray ground, or brave the diving zone. Swim lessons run for ages 6 months and up, and adult programming includes water aerobics, water walking, and lap swim. Swimming burns more calories than running, and just a few bucks gets you through the gate. If the budget's tight, the splash pads at Rotary Park and Slick Humphrey Park in Tecumseh are free and open daily. Just don’t forget the SPF!

Frequent Your Local Library

A little extra free time is the perfect time to flex those mental muscles, and the Pioneer Library System makes it easy. With branches across the county, the opportunities are genuinely endless. Take on the Summer Learning Challenge. Last summer more than 9,500 kids and adults alike logged 22 million minutes of hitting the books. Check out a cookbook full of healthy recipes you've never tried. Get to know your neighbors through arts and crafts lessons, recipe demos, and even fitness classes, all right there next to the New York Times bestsellers. There’s a whole lot more going on than just knowledge around here. 

Get Moving at the Y

The Shawnee Family YMCA is a community staple for good reason. The indoor aquatics center is open year-round with a five-lane pool, lazy river, splash pad, hot tub, and waterslide, plus swim lessons and daily open swim. Over 20 fitness classes run on a rotating schedule, from water aerobics and yoga to Silver Sneakers and Dance Fit, all included with membership. There's also an elevated indoor walking track, basketball courts, and a full fitness floor when the sun gets too hot for outdoor activity. Keep the kids active with Summer Day Camp for kids ages 5–12, and summer basketball and baseball leagues through July.

Pick Up Pickleball

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the country, and Shawnee is staying ahead of the curve. The best part? It works for almost any age or fitness level. KidSpace Park has two outdoor courts and the Recreation Center on North Bell runs indoor and outdoor games regularly. You can even take lessons or join a league. It's easy on the joints, fun to play, and a good hour of it burns more calories than you think. If you've been looking for a reason to try pickleball, make this the summer you get in the kitchen. 

Walk or Bike Somewhere New

It doesn't get more beautiful in Pottawatomie County than this time of year, and the easiest way to take it all in is on foot or two wheels. Shawnee is home to several public paved trails for running, walking, or cycling — including Airport Trail, Avedis Park Trail, Bryan Street Trail, Highland Trail, and Boy Scout Park Trail — plus 30 parks for a jog or a walk with the dog. For something a little different, the walking labyrinth at St. Gregory's is a true hidden gem. Beyond Shawnee, Tecumseh Lake, McLoud's Joe Taron Park, and Earlsboro City Park offer quiet, scenic paths worth the drive. If trails aren't your thing, an early morning walk around your neighborhood or a bike ride down a quiet backroad gets the job done just as well. And when the heat wins entirely, the air-conditioned hallways of Shawnee Mall have been a local walking staple for years.

Go Bowling

Bowling gets written off as a casual night out, but it's a legitimate workout. Just ask the muscles you forgot you had after a game or two. The Shawnee area has two great options. Shawnee Bowl on North Harrison has been a community staple for decades, and FireLake Bowling Center out on Hardesty Road is a 24-lane facility with glow bowl on Friday and Saturday nights. Both run open bowling and sanctioned leagues if you want to make it a regular thing, and both are a great call for the days when the heat makes everything else sound terrible.

Check Out Shawnee Recreation Center

Last but definitely not least, Shawnee Recreation Center is one of Shawnee's best community assets. Out on North Bell, you’ll find fitness classes for all ages — including Zumba, Pound Cardio, and line dancing — along with pickleball, billiards, walking groups, and more. For residents 55 and up, the programming goes even deeper. Think bingo, bunco, quilting, tai chi classes, and yoga, just to name a few. It's easy on the wallet, gets you off the couch, and puts you around other people in your town — one of the best things you can do for yourself all summer long.