Hey, the juggling sword man was there today! He did drop a sword. Nearest kid away was like about 6 feet.

It looks like they did a great job on everything, and I might be the only one, but I still like the design and landscaping of the old park better.

It was all old and ugly. The access was horrible to get around only to find you are blocked, then to go all around for nothing.

I'll agree, access was horrible, and it seems that was a main consideration in the new design

Hey All,

I've uploaded a week's worth of new MBG photos from Festival to the City's flickr account. You can find them HERE (http://www.flickr.com/photos/50408515@N06/sets/72157626633687972/). Enjoy!

Some of the video from Thursday will be up later tonight. Still working on the second half, and Saturday.

Thanks as always Fritter!

A couple of things: 1) The LED lighting in the bandshell is a great touch and 2) now that water stage has a fantastic backdrop with the Devon complex directly behind.

Everything looks fantastic!

I can't get over the crystal bridge now. It looks so awesome lit up.

Hey All,

I've uploaded a week's worth of new MBG photos from Festival to the City's flickr account. You can find them HERE (http://www.flickr.com/photos/50408515@N06/sets/72157626633687972/). Enjoy!

Enjoy I have. Can't wait to come stroll around soon. Probably be in the late eve though. Hmmm, by the by, what is the 'hey you, stop walking around and go elsewhere' time frame at night for MBG? Is it 11 like many parks and lakes?

Posted hours are 6a to 11p.

Is the Crystal Bridge going to be lit up in Thunder colors for tonight's game? Hope so! That thing will look GOOD on national TV.

I will have to check on tonight. I know they have a Thunder sequence (you can see a still of the light pallet in the flickr shots I posted). I also know they've been making tweaks to the program. Not sure what they have planned tonight.

The Crystal Bridge was Blue last night when we left the game...

That's cool! I soooooooo wanted to go take pics after the game, but I was WORE out!!

I was going to add pictures, but it's taking too long to edit them all. I'm still working on stuff from Denver last month...

These have been up for a while already, so enjoy.

April 28 2011

Pt 1

http://vimeo.com/23185212

Crystal Bridge

http://vimeo.com/23188787

Pt 2

http://vimeo.com/23244236

April 30 2011

Festival of the Arts

http://vimeo.com/23294371

Great vids. I took my wife down to the park for lunch today, looks like people are starting to use the park more than before, but still needs more people, especially at lunchtime. I'm sure after the park is completely done it will help, but they need to promote it more to the general public. Unfortunately, lots of people still aren't aware of the remodel. Also I noticed some parts of the grounds were under construction or repairs that appeared to be finished at the Arts Festival. Definitely my new favorite place to hang out.

FritterGirl, one thing I noticed, that would be a good suggestion to the people in charge, the park needs more trash cans (heck this city needs more public trash cans, that's one reason it's so trashy compared to prettier cities). The trash cans they have are nice, and definitely way more than before, but it's still a good distance in between trash cans. There should be more than one at the eating/sitting areas, and I didn't see any on the pond level along the sidewalk that circles it. I did pick up some trash along the way and throw it away though, but would be nice if you didn't have to walk to the top level to do so.

Also, do you have an ETA on when they will put out the RFP for the restaurant or announce the tenant?

Cool videos, what camcorder are you using for these? Oh and I really enjoy the interior of the Crystal Bridge, it seems a bit more spacious.

Thanks, metro, and thanks, unforsakn, for those spectacular videos.

We always knew going into Festival that this would be a "soft" opening, hence the lack of heavy promotion at this juncture. There WILL be more, just not until the entire grounds are completed and more amenities are open to the public. We'll be having our official 3-day Grand Opening Celebration in October, so look for information on that in the ensuing months. Also, a lot of people are STILL intimidated by downtown and the construction. I spoke at a Homeowner's Meeting last night and while lots DID venture down for Festival, several more said they were waiting for the construction to be complete before coming back downtown. When the Devon building is complete and workers there situated, you'll see a whole new dynamic in the Gardens space. Give it time.

I will make note of the trash recepticle suggestion and send that along to the powers that be. I was down on the lake level during Festival and agree, some trash receptacles would have been very helpful there, especially since I saw people leaving their plates and leftover food items down under the Crystal Bridge area.

Festival was, in many ways, a test run for us, and we had to take care of a lot of things up until the last minute to have it ready for that number of people. It wasn't unlike having guests come to your house and you having to throw your dirty socks under the bed and extra clutter into the coat closet in order to make things presentable. Contractors were in a huge rush to make things ready for Festival, so a lot of the detail work that is still in the overall plan wasn't complete yet. From what I saw of the in-progress Gardens in the two weeks leading up to Festival, they moved mountains.

There is still a LOT of landscaping to go (about 60% still to be planted), and more significant changes to be made. An example: the landscaped area on the South entry plaza is, in fact, a shallow water feature. Instead of showing the feature "under construction," crews planted the area to make it attractive, but they'll be relocating those plants to other areas in the Gardens as they complete the water feature.

In addition, they still have to finish the Children's Garden and Interactive Fountain, as well as the entire east side of the Gardens. Not only that, but only about 40% of the overall landscaping has even been installed, so many more plants are still to come.

I don't have information I can share with you regarding the the restaurant at this juncture. Keep your eyes open for news about the Gardens in the next week or do. I think you'll get the "big picture" then.

Sounds great, I'm so excited. Can you give us more info on the Children's Garden and Children's amenities? Also, is anyone working on booking any big acts for the grand lawn bandshell yet?

I don't have all the details on the Children's Garden amenities as of yet. I can tell you there are several water features in there, apart from the big interactive fountain on the West Lake Plaza. The labyrinth has been planted (it's still pretty short), and there are going to be some exploratory pools, as well as a story tree (still not constructed), a stonehenge like circle, as well as several other neat play areas. To be honest, I haven't seen a description of all of the individual features yet - so am in need of more of those details myself.

As you know, the highlight of the area is the Children's Interactive Fountain, which will simulate an Oklahoma Thunderstorm. Featuring light, sound and water, it will really be the highlight of the area. It will run in a 15-minute computerized cycle that will start with a light mist or fog. Cue a low rumble of thunder and that's your hint to get out or get ready to be very, very, very wet. A light patter of "rain" will follow, and then heavier rain, and more water that will eventually sluice off the "legs" of the fountain. Children can lean back on the concave portion of the legs and get the full-on waterfall effect. Near the end of the cycle, spouts of water will come up from the middle of the Gaillardia flowers.

In the evenings, there will be a mist / light show, with multi-colored lights coming up from the ground, and a mist / fog being sprayed by the fountain. The light colors will be diffused in the fog and the kids can run in and out chasing the lights.

As for bookings, again, nothing of that nature is being done until after our official Grand Opening in October. Will know more then.

It would be neat to have a swirling tornado effect with powerful wind.

It would be neat to have a swirling tornado effect with powerful wind.

If you'll think that through, you'll probably come to realize messy and painful, are the more likely outcomes.

It would be neat to have a swirling tornado effect with powerful wind.

Do you want a little hail thrown in for good measure, Thunder? LOL

Do you want a little hail thrown in for good measure, Thunder? LOL

Oh, yeah, that will be quite lovely. FritterGirl can pass out safety helmets. :-)

While we're at it, why not taze them with faux lightning too Thunder.

They could get a giant Teala Coil.

They could get a giant TeSla Coil.

LOL could you imagine.........http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=646958421532&id=57387948a3ff255aae040b78971af21e&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.drmegavolt.com%2fgallery%2fim ages%2fTeslaCoilGlamourShot-Paris.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY-AS13fl30 This one would just have to be moved a few miles. Go crazy, with this idea, Thunder. :dizzy:

OMG! That is exactly what we need there! FritterGirl, can you pass on the suggestion?

How about talking to Larry Nichols about putting it on top of the tower. THAT would be Thunder and Lightning heaven, wouldn't it? :tiphat: G'day.

Thunder, did you ever make a peanut butter fort when you were a kid?

That be so awesome to watch!!!

Metro, no, never heard of it.

Thunder, did you ever make a peanut butter fort when you were a kid?

Yea but he used Jelly for load bearing walls!lol

Had a wonderful stroll around the MBG last night after dinner. It wasn't packed by any means, but we did cross paths with other couples or families out enjoying a nice breeze and the renovations about every four or five minutes. The night watch crew were very friendly folk.

It is well lit at night throughout and I can see it being a more regular after dinner stroll.

Fritter, I did notice that on the northside bridge, NW corner, there was a small light on the rail cap that was burned out. No biggie, and probably wouldn't have noticed except we stopped to exchange howdys with another couple on that end of the bridge.

I've finally gotten around to looking at a couple of the great videos taken on 4/28 that Will Hider posted above (http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=23724&p=427178#post427178). From the 1st video, I have a question or two about Sculpture Park ... images below are screen captures from Will's 1st video at the above link.

Location. A map in Will's video shows the Sculpture Park location (top, center left, east of Stage Center):

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/myriadgardens/2011changes/myriadgardens_whider_2011_04_28_part1c.jpg

Just to be certain, if that's not accurate, anyone please correct me. I think that's a great location for this type of a public art exhibit and does wonders for making Stage Center not look like it doesn't belong where it is. The public art creates a different, and much better, ambiance for the Stage Center environment, in my opinion.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/myriadgardens/2011changes/myriadgardens_whider_2011_04_28_part1d.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/myriadgardens/2011changes/myriadgardens_whider_2011_04_28_part1f.jpg

What Part Is Permanent? I also wondered whether the wind sculptures and the rest are permanently located in Sculpture Park, which is my hope:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/myriadgardens/2011changes/myriadgardens_whider_2011_04_28_part1e.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/myriadgardens/2011changes/myriadgardens_whider_2011_04_28_part1a.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/myriadgardens/2011changes/myriadgardens_whider_2011_04_28_part1b.jpg

Anyone know? Frittergirl?

Doug, to my knowledge, none of it is, they do the sculpture park there every year.

Thanks, for notification about the light. I'll let crews know.

Doug, I think any questions regarding placement of Festival elements are really up to he Arts Council. I certainly know that based on their experience this year, as well as looking at what is still to come, they will likely consider some changes. What those are I have no idea.

I'm sure I'll know more as we move towards Festival next year.

I still haven't gotten stills yet, but working on it. It's very time consuming.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/myriadgardensmap2011.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/stagecentersculpturepark2011.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/stagecentersculpturepark2011-2.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/stagecentersculpturepark2011-3.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/stagecentersculpturepark2011-4.jpg

FritterGirl-

Are there more plans to place trash bins throughout the park? I was taking a stroll through the gardens with my Mom this morning (aren't I a good son?) and came across some litter. I can't come across litter and not pick it up. So doing what I always do, I picked it up and then looked for a place to dispose of it. The nearest trash can was quite a distance away. I have read some different studies that have found most people would rather litter than throw something away if there isn't a trash can near by, sad but true reality. Also, any plans for recycling in the park?

Doug, to my knowledge, none of it is, they do the sculpture park there every year.

The last video with extensive footage of the sculpture park shows that they are temporary and for sale. There is a stand next to them with a price. I agree it would be a great place for a permanent sculpture park.

Does anyone know why the sculptures was priced way too expensive? Do they ever sell them?

Does anyone know why the sculptures was priced way too expensive? Do they ever sell them?

Cast sculptures are very expensive to do...especially with the cost of energy and metals are VERY expensive today. Plus, the art form tends to be very time intensive. I doubt they are priced too high. However, collecting sculpture art is an expensive interest and not usually for the masses. It is not where small time art collectors start unless they buy reproductions and mass casted pieces. They don't sell by the pound or square inch and the artist doesn't expect originals to sell fast unless they are commission pieces.

Does anyone know why the sculptures was priced way too expensive? Do they ever sell them?

Yeah, welcome to the world of fine art, Thunder. That sculpture area is usually a part of the festival, and it's cool to look, but I know I will never be able to afford any of those.

I hope you enjoyed the festival, though.

Does anyone know why the sculptures was priced way too expensive? Do they ever sell them?

Those sculptures aren't something you go buy at Statuary World.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2500354520_050362f45e.jpg

Starter art, real cheap.

Looking great! It really sounds like the Thunderstorm fountain will be quite the attraction.

Those sculptures aren't something you go buy at Statuary World.

I remember going to that store before they went out of business.

I remember going to that store before they went out of business.

Remember again, Statuary World is still open!!

Maybe Thunder is thinking of Cimarron Pottery (what was there before it became Statuary World)?

There was a Statuary World on 15th in MWC. I could never find another one.

There was a Statuary World on 15th in MWC. I could never find another one.

There's two. One in Edmond, off the I-35 service road and another way out west past Yukon on Cimarron road.

Never knew of a Statuary World in MWC (only the 2 jn1780 mentioned). Where at on 15th? I used to frequent that area every weekend when I would do my thrift store hopping over there...maybe we should move this to a new thread and let this one get back to the Myriad Reno...

Speaking of cast satues, I sure with they would finish the Land Run Monument.

Speaking of cast satues, I sure with they would finish the Land Run Monument.

I concur. I wish enough folks inside okc proper did. After all, since the council could actually do what they want with the M3 money, and since it is apparently bringing in more than anticipated, they could probably add in completion of the LRM to be paid from such excess collections. Sadly, I doubt there are enough in-city voices to turn it into a workable solution.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2500354520_050362f45e.jpg

Starter art, real cheap.
What the hey?? What IS that!?

What the hey?? What IS that!?

Just a guess on my part, but I suspect it is the front lawn ornamentation for some folks I will never, ever choose for my next door neighbors.

Anybody have and ETA on the Children's area at the Gardens?

Hey Cuatro,

We're looking at early July some time. I don't have an exact date. Things are changing frequently.

I understand. That is just the nature of construction. Thanks for the update. I have a 2 1/2-year-old who is dying to get in there...

Folks are excited about the new Myriad Gardens!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCp6TjjG-mA

Been meaning to share this for a couple weeks.

Enjoy FritterGirl!

HAHA! That is GREAT! Almost a full FLASH MOB. When was that taken?