Moore Park Destroyed By Tornado Needs Votes In National Contest

The tornado on May 20 destroyed more than people's homes and lives, it devastated the communities in which they lived.

In Moore, several parks were hit including Veterans Memorial Park. But an online contest could help rebuild it.

Vote for Veterans Memorial Park in Moore!

Coca-Cola's Take It To The Park contest is giving $100,000 to the park that gets the most online votes. Right now, Veterans Memorial Park in Moore is in first place, but one park in Virginia is closing in.

"I'm just concerned we won't get the votes we need," said Moore resident Amanda Sieler.

Votes that could turn the park in ruin back into something new again.

"It was a gorgeous park," Sieler said. "I would usually bring my dog Ninja down every day to walk around the park."

So, Sieler and other people in Moore are pushing for more votes in the final hours of the contest to ensure the rebuilding of Veterans Memorial, which was destroyed by the twister on May 20.

"It brings tears to your eyes because it's really sad," Sieler said about seeing the park right after the tornado hit it. "This was a gorgeous park and great place to hang out and it's gone."

Sixth grader Lucia Dodson said she misses the park where she loved to play and that was once packed with people on the walking trails, pavilions and playground.

"It's sad when we saw that it had hit the park that we loved so much," Dodson said. "It was heartbreaking."

But with enough votes, the park is in line to win the $100,000.

"I want to see this park get rebuilt even better than it was before," said Dodson. "I want to see people come back and be happy again."

So far, as of Sunday afternoon, Veterans Memorial is leading by 40,000 votes over Mason Neck State Park in Lorton, Virginia.

"It's amazing," Sieler said. "This is one more example of what it means to be an Oklahoman."

The contest ends at midnight on Monday, July 15.