June 16th. 7:22 on the June time lapse (http://vimeo.com/25585774), I was sitting there and was like, "What the heck is this?" I'm on the hill and I see all these people dancing around. Immediately the idea of this video popped in my head.

most interesting.....

Commentary: A place for people

http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-12211-a-place-for-people.html

It'd be more impressive if the guy Humphreys mentioned, actually wrote the article.

Speaking of that interactive thunderstorm fountain, any plans for it to open during this heatwave? Probably not going to be any fun in October, when the grand opening is...

^^^
Overheard some folks today talking about how we are getting July/Aug weather in June so they think we are going to be getting Sept/Oct weather in July/Aug. We can hope!!

That said, wonder if the I.T.F., will have a winter mode where you can create your own ice storm? LOL

Looks like there's a problem with the restaurant:


A restaurant likely will not open in conjunction with completion of the $34 million makeover of Myriad Gardens this fall. The only bidder for the restaurant project, the Deep Fork Group, sought to open a casual burger restaurant — the sort of operation several local operators advised would be the best fit for the revamped gardens.

Read more: http://newsok.com/selection-of-operator-for-myriad-gardens-restaurant-hits-snag/article/3583063#ixzz1RO16a4yT

Looks like there's a problem with the restaurant:


A restaurant likely will not open in conjunction with completion of the $34 million makeover of Myriad Gardens this fall. The only bidder for the restaurant project, the Deep Fork Group, sought to open a casual burger restaurant — the sort of operation several local operators advised would be the best fit for the revamped gardens.

Read more: http://newsok.com/selection-of-operator-for-myriad-gardens-restaurant-hits-snag/article/3583063#ixzz1RO16a4yT

City officials at the time said they were following the advice of a national consultant, Manask Associates.

Ben Hiatt, who led the Manask study, said his study did not suggest a white tablecloth restaurant.

“Our study said a casual facility would be in the best interest of the gardens,” Hiatt said.


So what the heck is going on? Is the city lying about it, are they incompetent, is there some kind of odd miscommunication going on? They cite a study conducted by consultants as the reason for their decision vis-a-vis the restaurant and then the leader of the study says, actually, no, that's not what we recommended at all.

I don't understand why they added a Children's garden and a dog park for the convention goers? This is such great planning by the city!

It seems rather silly to have a white tablecloth restaurant in the middle of the park. People should be able to walk up to the restaurant if they're using the park and how many people would go to a park in a suit or dress? If we'd had the budget for the casual restaurant then I could understand it, but now it needs to be something less formal. However, I don't think hamburgers are the ideal menu for a park. It would be better to have an ecelectic menu with a lot of salads, wraps, sandwiches and an occasional burger thrown in. I still think Cheever's or La Baguette would be the perfect restaurant for the park. In both of those restaurants you could feel comfortable in jeans or a dress.

While elements of the MG aren't going to be utilized by every Convention attendee, they might notice that the area is available and they might add it to their mental checklist of things to do if they decide to come back to visit us on their own (and bring the family and pet). If not, the MG renovations weren't just done for C.C. guests or visitors in general (even though it is a top tourist draw), it was conceived to be more used by the locals than say the MAPS 3 Park (where it was envisioned that it be seen and utilized by visitors since it is between the major N/S entry points into DT and as planned in C2S, would be seen by every C.C. attendee.

Betts:

What I am thinking the rational behind it was they are hoping for higher per ticket revenue that would be brought in by that kind of upscale place (but not necessarily higher sales, can easily make that up in quantity). That and if you factor in they are probably planning weddings etc, it could be a logical "package deal" where reception etc could be held. Just thinking out loud, and not advocating for or against it. I agree that a casual place could be much more successful/utilized but can see the need for both (too bad they cut it down to one).

You're right about the weddings, Larry. I have a friend who wanted to get married in the Gardens next spring. She found out there are 180 people on the waiting list already! I think Union Station will also be a popular place for receptions once the central park is done and hope we'll have a restaurant there as well. I guess that's one reason I suggested La Baguette, even though they might not be willing to come back downtown. They've got the white tablecloths, but they're not over the top elegant. Rather more continental, I think. It's the kind of place you could have a reception, but also might not feel awkward if you walked in in jeans and a nice t-shirt. They've got a great range of items, from salads to foie gras to steaks.

Has anyone been do the Main Street Gardens park in downtown Dallas? I was just there last month and thought it was nice. Much smaller then the MG, but it did have a great little cafe. It was called the Lily Pad and had everything you would need from Breakfast Tacos to Beer. I would be in favor of something like this opening in MG - http://www.yelp.com/biz/lily-pad-cafe-dallas. The prices where great and the quality was good and best of all it didn't have any tablecloths.

EDIT: Went ahead and put this in the Myriad Gardens thread as well.

I have no idea where else to put this, but I really wish there was more creativity like this in downtown or at least attract folks who are this creative.

Perhaps the new Central Park??

Paris Town Hall

http://i.imgur.com/xugyK.jpg

http://www.etcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/parisflat.jpg


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjmlwe_vous-etes-ailleurs-ou-a-l-hotel-de-ville_creation#from=embediframe

Stockholm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pDfC1om4BQ

EDIT: Went ahead and put this in the Myriad Gardens thread as well.

I have no idea where else to put this, but I really wish there was more creativity like this in downtown or at least attract folks who are this creative.

Perhaps the new Central Park??

Paris Town Hall

http://i.imgur.com/xugyK.jpg

http://www.etcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/parisflat.jpg


http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjmlwe_vous-etes-ailleurs-ou-a-l-hotel-de-ville_creation#from=embediframe

Stockholm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pDfC1om4BQ

I love the whimsy from the second video. Things like that make public areas much more fun and attractive.

POSITIVE POST ALERT

That was for RC, hope he sees it...LOL

Awesome...love it...thanks for the pics!

POSITIVE POST ALERT

That was for RC, hope he sees it...LOL

Awesome...love it...thanks for the pics!

Much better Larry, I'm proud of you. LOL

Having a "white cloth" restaurant in a park isn't unprecedented (See: Central Park and Bryant Park in NYC). But it may not be right for Myriad Gardens. I don't think burgers are the best idea either. I'm glad their holding out for a better option.

I don't understand why they added a Children's garden and a dog park for the convention goers? This is such great planning by the city!

Huh??

Huh??

Maybe it's the heat!!

Huh??

Double Huh?? LOL

Don't forget the ice skating rink when worrying about what all of those convention goers won't want to do. And they certainly won't have time to attend Shakespeare in the Park so that water stage improvement was useless too.

Double Huh?? LOL

Don't forget the ice skating rink when worrying about what all of those convention goers won't want to do. And they certainly won't have time to attend Shakespeare in the Park so that water stage improvement was useless too.

And why wut the fish back in, who has time to feed fish when your here for a convention.

Maybe I'm pointing out what's already understood, if so, sorry...

I think lasomeday's intent was to imply that the features at the Myriad Gardens will not be able to be used to their full potential. That is to say because there will not be a dense residential area south of the Gardens, as could have been if an alternate location was chosen for the convention center. I don't believe he was criticizing the merit of these features themselves.

Maybe I'm pointing out what's already understood, if so, sorry...

I think lasomeday's intent was to imply that the features at the Myriad Gardens will not be able to be used to their full potential. That is to say because there will not be a dense residential area south of the Gardens, as could have been if an alternate location was chosen for the convention center. I don't believe he was criticizing the merit of these features themselves.

I think that was exactly what he was doing. He was implying that anything done to the park that wouldn't benefit or attract convention visitors was a waste of taxpayer money.

This was his exact statement:

"I don't understand why they added a Children's garden and a dog park for the convention goers? This is such great planning by the city!"

If he had any other motive in mind it wasn't evident and should have been made clearer. While I believe there would have been much better uses for that area, It would have required very large high rise residential buildings to have achieved a dense residential area south of the Gardens. That wasn't going to happen anyway. The dense residential is going to happen further south eventually when it happens.

Ok, I took it as he didn't care about what appealed to convention goers, rather that convention attendees will take up space in an area where residents could have lived and created their own "neighborhood park".

Ok, I took it as he didn't care about what appealed to convention goers, rather that convention attendees will take up space in an area where residents could have lived and created their own "neighborhood park".

That's a more likely scenario for what will happen with the larger Central Park area further south than the more urban highly programmed Myriad Gardens.

Having a "white cloth" restaurant in a park isn't unprecedented (See: Central Park and Bryant Park in NYC). But it may not be right for Myriad Gardens. I don't think burgers are the best idea either. I'm glad their holding out for a better option.
Millenium Park in Chicago also has upscale dining. I have to say though; having been there and to the Bryant Park Grill plus the Central Park Boathouse restaurant in the past year, I really didn't think of them as "high-end" or stuffy. They seemed at least as casual as the OKC Art Museum, if not more so. The boathouse seemed perhaps the least casual, but the bar outside was VERY casual. My favorite of all was Bryant Park. I went to the grill and separately to the bar there on multiple occasions, and LOVED them.

I've eaten at the Bryant Park Grill and it's definitely on par with the Museum Cafe. The Central Park Boathouse has the nice restaurant inside and facing the Lake, but it also has walk-up dining windows next to a patio on the front side.

The Central Park boathouse bar was one of my favorite stops in NYC. Of course, so was the bar at the Bryant Park Cafe (not Grill). Not sure what that says about me...

Some great pics of the Central Park Boathouse here (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1280&bih=939&q=central%20park%20boathouse&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi).

Just this morning saw Larry the Cable Guy's Only In America show where he toured Central Park. Funny as heck, but reminded me again how incredible that place is.

Here is some pictures. I didn't completely walk through the area.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095909.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095932.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26100256.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26100425.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26100512.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26100538.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26100548.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095328.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095337.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095511.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095541.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095605.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095613.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095745.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095318.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095105.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095125.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095138.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095358.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095419.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095430.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095439.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26094910-1.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26094957.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095039.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095049.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095209.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095240.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095248.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095006.jpg

I don't know if there are fish in there.

Good job Thunder, no they haven't released the fish yet.

FritterGirl, any idea what the hold-up is on the spraygrounds/interactive children's fountain? I thought it was supposed to open in July. It'd be great to get it open during this heat wave.

Please understand, I fully realize our drought conditions but there seems to be a lot of barren/brown in those shots especially with the landscaping (the lawn areas seem to be in relatively good shape). Is this intentional? When most people think of "Gardens", brown isn't the color that jumps to the forefront. A lot of money has been spent redoing the MG and would be a shame if most of the landscaped materials had to be replaced because they didn't get watered.

Good job Thunder, no they haven't released the fish yet.

FritterGirl, any idea what the hold-up is on the spraygrounds/interactive children's fountain? I thought it was supposed to open in July. It'd be great to get it open during this heat wave.
I had the same question.

Please understand, I fully realize our drought conditions but there seems to be a lot of barren/brown in those shots especially with the landscaping (the lawn areas seem to be in relatively good shape). Is this intentional? When most people think of "Gardens", brown isn't the color that jumps to the forefront. A lot of money has been spent redoing the MG and would be a shame if most of the landscaped materials had to be replaced because they didn't get watered.

There are guys out there planting, so many of the trees, shrubs, and plants will take a few years to grow and flourish. I do not know if there are any underground water system, which they really need it badly. There was some signs of the heat wave effects, but not quite as bad.

In the below picture, I can't remember if its all dead lawn or different material content, but the shrubs in the background, you can see some growing better than most. Need major help with this area.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095439.jpg

And here you see the brown is normal. Its some sort of material, so I don't know what it is. Part of the landscaping design.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26100425.jpg

The same in this picture, the brown material is normal.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095605.jpg

And you see in the below picture, the grass (on the slope where white squares are) should be green. MBG need to be watering...

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc92/thunderokc/MBG/2011-07-26095419.jpg

I noticed that there are less lawns/grass, cuz I think they want less of that....less water to use...and in place they use some sort of brown/tan material.

Also, the borders around the pond is too white. It should have been creatively themed with lots of huge rocks. Just too...plain...white.

I know they have had some hold-ups with the Children's Interactive Fountain that pushed the progress back several weeks. I am hopeful it will be open within the coming weeks, but I've yet to hear a definite date.

As for Larry's comments regarding the landscaping, the Gardens has, like most of us, struggled mightily in this heat and dry weather. Technically, the Gardens is still under the purview of the contractors so they are sending out their landscaping subs to water and irrigate. City staff and Project 180 folks are aware of the plant issues, especially those places that are barren, or where plants haven't taken or have not survivied.

I've been told that contractors will be replacing these plant materials before they turn the project officially over to the City.

As now is NOT a good time to try and plant anything new, I would imagine they will wait until September when Fall planting season begins to try and put anything down. Right now, even with the best irrigation systems, soil temperatures are so hot that plants just don't take to the new environment well.

Give it some time, folks. It's still technically a construction site, and we've been experiencing unprecedented weather conditions this year that have really set some things back.

Hope this helps.

FritterGirl, what about the fish? And will they be offering food dispenser so I can feed them?

Hi Thunder,

It's going to be some time before we can relocate the fish back in there. Due to the drought, we are having to feed the lake with OKC water from time to time to keep water levels in check. As such, that water is not biologically viable for our fish at this time. Until the lake can pull adequate water from the existing water tables and not rely upon OKC water supply, I'm afraid the fish will stay put.

As for feeders, unless the new managment installs them, I doubt very highly they will be put in.

Yeah, too much chemicals in city water will kill those fish fast.

What are the hours of the tube? How much does it cost to go in? Free for OKCTalk members? Some day, it be kool to take night time pix. Is there hours limitation to walk around on the park? If its at 9 or 10, then I guess best time is during the Fall/Winter when it gets dark early enough to take pix of the tube lighting.

Is the office open yet? You are working there? Anyone can just walk in and request for a tour? How much the tour? Well, to walk around is free, but just wondering what kind of info are supplied during a tour. I have not seen the inside of the tube and don't remember seeing any pix, so is pix allowed inside the tube or not? Cuz I think people still pay to enter the tube? If people see the inside pix, then it may sway them away from paying to enter.

Any plans for this year's Christmas lights? Much more than ever before?

There was a story about the landscaping at MBG on Freedom 43 News last night. It makes perfect sense. It's just too darn hot and dry right now. Frittergirl, were you the lady they interviewed?

What are the hours of the tube?
How much does it cost to go in?
Free for OKCTalk members?

The current hours for the conservatory are Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sunday noon - 6:00 p.m. Now that the Foundation is operating the Gardens, they may choose to amend these hours once they get their new executive director in place.

The cost for admission is $6 per adult; $5 per senior and/or child 13-18 (or with college ID); $4 for children 4-12, and FREE for children 3 and under. We do not offer any additional discounts nor free programs at this time, although in years' past, we have offered FREE days once quarterly. The last FREE day was on July 4. Look for one in October, around the time of the Grand Opening.


Is there hours limitation to walk around on the park?
If its at 9 or 10, then I guess best time is during the Fall/Winter when it gets dark early enough to take pix of the tube lighting.
Hours for the outdoor grounds are 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., which gives folks plenty of time to enjoy the Gardens from sunrise to sunset, and enjoy the lights at night.


Is the office open yet? You are working there? Anyone can just walk in and request for a tour? How much the tour?

The new offices are NOT open yet. Group tours are available on an appointment basis by calling the front desk, and a group discount for the Crystal Bridge can/will apply. There are no guided tours of the outdoor grounds offered at this time.

Information offered during a tour is basic information about rainforest ecology and conservation, as well as information about some of the interesting plants in the Crystal Bridge.

We are also working on a new Self-Guided Tour brochure for the Crystal Bridge, as well as a new map for the outdoor grounds, so individuals can go in and read up on the Crystal Bridge and outdoor grounds via their own tour.

Pictures are allowed inside of the Crystal Bridge. In fact, it is a very popular spot for photographers. I don't see that changing at all.


Any plans for this year's Christmas lights? Much more than ever before? We will definitely be ramping up the Christmas display this year, and with FREE Sundays inside the Crystal Bridge, as well as Ice Skating on the All Seasons' Plaza near the restaurant, the Gardens will be very festive this Winter.


There was a story about the landscaping at MBG on Freedom 43 News last night. It makes perfect sense. It's just too darn hot and dry right now. Frittergirl, were you the lady they interviewed? No. That was one of my colleagues, who works for Project180 in the City's Public Information office. She is responsible for all construction and Project180-related information and communications. I deal more with things from a tourism aspect, as well as OKC Parks.

FritterGirl Thanks for the info. And please don't take it as a complaint, as that was not the intent. Just saw similar things happening with the Canal when it opened (they didn't plant indigenous species to Oklahoma and were replaced at the contractors expense IIRC). Then there was the issue of the broken irrigation system with the landscaping at the Landrun monument. Just seemed we might be seeing history repeat but fully understand the extenuating circumstances. It was one of the concerns I have for the MAPS 3 Park.

I plan on getting down there myself whenever the heat breaks (like when the high is in the low 80s).

Thunder: thanks for taking/posting the pics. Love the waterfall feature.

Glad to see people didn't waste any time criticising everything (sarcasm), but we've got to give the place at least 5 years to grow. And the fact that we're in this heat wave is the least attractive time to be critiquing the place. Thunder - some of the areas you're looking at (like the step area with the fill-in greenery) are grasses...think Monkey Grass....and it wil take a while for it to fill in. It will never be just a swath of green because that's not how that stuff grows...it's now Bermuda lawn grass. And something like the white concrete look is going to actually be a nice contrast once the plants have grown. You'll be in the middle of a deep green area there and the white will POP later.

I know we all want that instant gratification to be able to walk in and it be done, but it's plants not a structure. It has to grow so just be patient.

Went there for the 1st time post-renovation last week...only thing that stood out to me was the poor quality of the Grand Lawn grass. It had crab grass everywhere, and it was really uneven...not a smooth "lay down and watch a show" lawn at all . I'm not going to critique if that's just due to heat and water constraints, but I figured it'd be a nicer lawn for frisbee than what it is right now.

I don't know anything about grass so hopefully it's just a temporary problem that it'll grow out of.

These photos are a few months old but offer an interesting perspective of the gardens:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/myriadgardens2.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/myriadgardens3.jpg

Nice pics Thunder!

Thanks Pete! It's interesting looking at those pix compared to what the rendering looked like.. They really did a GREAT JOB on this project. My 4 yr old son and I go out there at least once a week to walk around, play catch, look at the baby ducks. It great for family time. I can only imagine how much better it'll be once the Thunder Storm feature, Kid Zone, and Cafe all open up.

I love the new Myriad Gardens very much and think the renovation was fantastic. But saying that, looking at those pictures I can see how it is not a substitute for a central park. I took a walk around it a few weeks ago and the whole tour took me about 15 minutes. I think of a central park as a place where one can actually take a run or have enough space to play a soccer game etc.

That's where the new park being built with MAPS3 money comes into play. Hopefully they focus more on people wanting to ride bikes, a good run, or a 4 on 4 football game with friends, Etc..

Are the renovations complete?

Are the renovations complete?

No. I was down there Saturday and the Children's area was still not open, the thunderstorm thingy was still being worked on, the restaurant area was still being worked on, etc...

No. I was down there Saturday and the Children's area was still not open, the thunderstorm thingy was still being worked on, the restaurant area was still being worked on, etc...

...and most importantly...no fish. :-(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=tSVrjR0IvFE

Sad the children's fountain didn't open this record heat breaking summer as expected.

I was at the Myriad Gardens today and noticed a coulpe things. First, they were testing the big ceramic water fountain for children and it was very cool. First it "rained" water down along with water coming from the ground then it fogged up the area... Should be a ton of fun for kids. You can see a picture here (I couldn't figure out how to make the image show up... help?): http://www.flickr.com/photos/24570805@N03/6183268469/.

I had one concern though. When I where along the path where the tiles that light up are located I noticed how many of them were loose. If you walked on a lot of them they moved and tilted. They didn't seem sturdy at all. It seem unwise to have areas open to walking when they're like that. Hopefully they're still working on setting them in right. Anyone know?

(I couldn't figure out how to make the image show up... help?)

In Flickr, Click on the "Share" button then click "Grab the HTML/BBCode" then click "BBCode" and choose the size of your image. Then just copy and paste the code. It will look like this:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6183268469_a66aab87a7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24570805@N03/6183268469/)
Myriad Gardens Children's Fountain - OKC (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24570805@N03/6183268469/) by KilgoreTrout33 (http://www.flickr.com/people/24570805@N03/), on Flickr

This way it shows the title of the image and the photographers name.

Thanks. It worked...

That looks awesome. Better eat it up while it's still warm.