Owasso

Carved into a bluff in the historic nature preserve of Oxley Ranch, the Stone Canyon community stands solid as the surrounding rock. The master-planned community presides over an area midway between Owasso and Catoosa, two of Tulsa’s northeastern suburbs. “It’s a lifestyle that we’re selling,” says Amy Whitmarsh, CLHMS and broker/owner with RE/MAX Results. “It’s a great upscale neighborhood with wonderful amenities, lots of nature, trees, fishing in the lake, the golf course.” From the sparkling lake to the scenic golf course to the luxury clubhouses, there’s already plenty to enjoy, but Stone Canyon is still evolving. “When it’s fully developed, it’s going to have over 2,000 homes,” Whitmarsh says. “The plan for the future is to have a gated 55-plus community here, too. That’s on the docket next.” Spanning 3,000 acres, Stone Canyon’s residential area comprises a growing roster of neighborhoods, including Deer Run, Tanglewood, Twin Creeks and The Coves. Some subdivisions, such as The Bluffs I, are gated. The neighborhood appeals to a spectrum of buyers, from young families to retirees. “We keep a very stable market here,” says Whitmarsh, an eight-year resident of Stone Canyon. Most homes were built within the last 15 years and feature Tudor-inspired touches, with dormer windows peeking out from gabled roofs and stone accents lending a country-cottage vibe. Many homes offer more than 3,000 square feet of living space. Lot sizes are just as generous, measuring about an acre on average. Driveways feature brick-and-stone bridgework and enough space to park several vehicles. Attached garages and private in-ground swimming pools are other popular features. Modest three- and four-bedroom homes within the subdivisions cost $500,000 to $800,000. A luxury five-bedroom, eight-bath Gothic Revival mansion with two in-ground pools might sell for $4 to $6 million. With 19 holes that showcase the surrounding limestone canyons, upland prairies, marshland and woodlands, the Patriot Golf Club is the centerpiece of Stone Canyon. Each hole at the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course is named for an American patriot. The stunning clubhouse boasts superb views, a fire pit and a large open-air deck, while the pool’s splash pad and corkscrew waterslide entice families on the hottest days. Residents who don’t belong to the golf club can enjoy the neighborhood pool and clubhouse, lace up for the Stone Creek Trail, roam the 20-acre park or cast a fishing line from the pier on Patriot Lake. The 100-acre man-made lake is stocked with bluegill, catfish, bass and crappie, ideal for catch and release. Nearby, Centennial Park features a walking trail encircling another scenic pond. Mohawk Park, home of the Tulsa Zoo, is about 12 miles away. Neighborhood students attend a progression of highly rated schools. Stone Canyon Elementary School gets an A-minus from Niche and boasts a convenient location near Patriot Lake and Stone Creek Trail. Kids in the northern subdivisions can follow the trail to get to school, but most will likely need to take the bus or rely on their parents to give them a ride. They’ll funnel into Owasso’s middle school centers next, then it’s on to Owasso High School, where administrators partner with local businesses to offer student internships. Apart from B-plus-rated Owasso 8th Grade Center, all these schools have a Niche grade of A. Members of the Patriot Golf Club enjoy access to exclusive seasonal events such as the Halloween Bash and Santa Brunch. On the Fourth of July, the club hosts Party Like a Patriot. The festivities bring a carnival-like atmosphere, with burgers sizzling on the grill, face-painting, balloon animals and live music. In the evening, the celebration culminates in a fireworks display. Proceeds benefit Folds of Honor, an organization that provides scholarships to families of disabled or fallen military members. Residents searching for nightlife can head down the bluff to Catoosa, 7 miles away, where the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa turns things up full blast. Stone Canyon is considered part of Owasso, Tulsa’s largest northern suburb. Geographically speaking, however, the community is a bit closer to another suburb: the port city of Catoosa on the Verdigris River. Owasso’s downtown Redbud District is about 7 miles away, while Catoosa is within 6 miles. “We live outside the township of Owasso, but we are Owasso proper,” Whitmarsh says. “We live on a bluff, so the port of Catoosa is right below us, and the whole city thrives around that port.” The closest major highway is the Mingo Valley Expressway, which leads to downtown Tulsa, about 20 miles southwest. Travelers can also use the expressway to access Tulsa International Airport, about 15 miles away. With Owasso and Catoosa just minutes away by car, dining and retail options abound. Puerto del Sol Mexican Grill serves tamales, enchiladas and carne asada washed down with margaritas and Micheladas. In the other direction, pulled pork and loaded smoked potatoes at 96th BBQ entice diners who don’t want to venture too far into Owasso. From there, it’s a short drive to Owasso Market for groceries. There’s also a Reasor’s supermarket off the Old Highway 66 in Catoosa.