Frittergirl, I've always wondered about the square-shaped extension of the sidewalk that jutted out into the lake. Is that just a random aspect of the original design, or does it conceal mechanical equipment or something? I also wondered if maybe it originally was supposed to have some kind of structure on it.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5598899634_202318d04f_z.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/5598901242_430be33e16_z.jpg

^Maybe a spot to feed the fish??

I have a question: Why doesn't the clear glass extend all the way to the bottom of the tube?

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5598326479_e26c21f7dc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/50408515@N06/5598326479/)
MBG04072011 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/50408515@N06/5598326479/) by cityofokc (http://www.flickr.com/people/50408515@N06/), on Flickr

I should think that would be structural on the bottom and there wouldn't be much to see. But I'm interested, too.

ANSWERS:

Square PeninsulaThe square there, on the north bank of East Lake, is simply an extension of the walkway. It serves as an overlook for people so they can get "onto the surface" of the water a bit more, and take in the view from a different prospect. Great for feeding the koi, too. To my knowlege, there's no utilitarian purpose other than that. Pretty simple.

Crystal Bridge PanelsRemember, the Crystal Bridge, while cylyndrical in shape, has a flat floor in its interior that is on equal level with the main walking surface of the Gardens. Below, inside the structure's "belly," is the operations area, where the HVAC and water filtration (reverse osmosized water in the CB waterfalls) systems are housed. The old HVAC actually used water from the CB as part of the cooling system. There is also a great deal of ductwork down below.

The lower panels, even before the re-glazing, were more opaque - at least when the CB was first built. Over the 20+ years the CB has been in existence, extreme heat & cold, as well as dust & dirt from our blowing winds, caused the original panels to develop interior micro-cracks as well as exterior micro-scratches, the consequemce of which were dry, brittle and opaque panels. The old upper panels "matched" those down below because they had become more opaque over time.

Thanks for the info!

Here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/50408515@N06/) is the link to today's flickr photostream. Videos coming soon(ish?).

FritterGirl, those are fascinating behind the scenes construction pictures. I hope they will be preserved so that OKC residents 100 years from now will be able to see how this great space came to be.

Thanks for the info Frittergirl!

Here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/50408515@N06/) is the link to today's flickr photostream. Videos coming soon(ish?).
Amazing, FritterGirl, simply just amazing.

Amazing, FritterGirl, simply just amazing.

This renovation is simply amazing!! All you can say is WOW! I am very proud of my home States Capital City! I have one questioin. Is there a threat of errosion of the sloped areas due to recurrent rain?

Did they raise the sidewalks? It looks like the distance was greatly shortened. I'm 6'5" and wonder if I will leave the place with serious head injury. :-O

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5104/5598899634_202318d04f_z.jpg

Frittergirl, thanks for the tour yesterday! The park looks incredible.

Driving down reno yesterday about 11:50 AM saw Larry Nichols walking down the side of the Gardens with a hard hat all by his lonesome.... OKC rockstar moment

From Project180's Facebook page:

lit in blue (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?fbid=216071865076111&set=pu.120793601270605&theater) and lit in pink (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?fbid=216071991742765&set=pu.120793601270605&theater)

Took some more photos today during a very abbreviated tour. West side areas are really starting to look cleaned up. Of note are the wave fountain and the children's interactive fountain. The children's interactive fountain will NOT be operational by Festival time, but the new wave fountain should be.

I'll likely get skinned for this, but we need rain - badly - just not sure when the right time is... maybe a bit this Friday night and Saturday night to help cool everything off. Still, things are greening up despite the drought conditions. Amazing what a difference a few weeks - and a lot of leaves - makes.

Link to new photostream is HERE. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/50408515@N06/with/5614066027/)

Thanks for the photos FritterGirl!!!!

Is the childrens interactive fountain one of a kind? That thing is going to be awesome!

Fear not FritterGirl. Rain is coming, just as surely as the Festival is almost upon us, rain is coming.
Why, they'll as likely as not arrive at the same time <snickers & ducks>

I have a question;

Are bicycles/skateboards/roller blades permitted in the Myriad gardens areas?

Fritter, thanks for the pics.

Can you explain the children's interactive fountain more? What is the green skin? are they also still building the treehouse thing?

Also, why did they decide on an open air bandshell? Seems like they lose the acoustic and weather proofing benefits of a traditional design.

I have a question;

Are bicycles/skateboards/roller blades permitted in the Myriad gardens areas?

I certainly hope not. I do appreciate how the walkways and and stairs are not just poured concrete and have some texture and interest.

I have a question;

Are bicycles/skateboards/roller blades permitted in the Myriad gardens areas?

I do not know why you would want any of those.... Its a gardens place. Not a thrill place. We have a grand central park under construction and when that is done, I am sure you can enjoy those thrills over there.

I will not be happy if you were to ride a bike and suddenly swerve out of the walkers' way only to crash into the precious pond. That will frighten the fishies in there.

I have a question;

Are bicycles/skateboards/roller blades permitted in the Myriad gardens areas?

Hi Lee,

Thanks for your question. The answer at this point is no, and really it is for safety concerned. You are certainly welcome to bike or blade TO the Gardens, but only walking is permissible once inside.

We encourage all of our BMXers and boarders to go to the Matt Hoffman Action Sports Park, or check out our South Lakes or Route 66 skate courts.

Would it be possible to add a bike loop around the park or something to accommodate local residents on bike?

When I was in Amsterdam, one of the nicest things was that all the park pathways, in all the parks, were extremely wide to allow lots of different people through the parks, lots of walkers and joggers, tons of bicycles being Amsterdam of course, and a surprising number of roller blades.

But obviously you want widen a park pathway like you can a road, and I'm not saying we should make major alterations to the park, but maybe one pathway that isn't necessary for flow could be converted to bicycle traffic.

That's exactly the kind of flexible community programming that would have been cool, and just when you thought this Myriad Gardens design thought of everything. I hope it is integrated into the new C2S park and all other future parks.

Hi Lee,

Thanks for your question. The answer at this point is no, and really it is for safety concerned. You are certainly welcome to bike or blade TO the Gardens, but only walking is permissible once inside.

We encourage all of our BMXers and boarders to go to the Matt Hoffman Action Sports Park, or check out our South Lakes or Route 66 skate courts.

I have to say that is a little disappointing. Thanks for answering my question.

Two other questions;
#1 Will there be bicycle racks for chain lock, nearby the park?

#2 Do you know if the MAPS3 Central Park will be incorporating bicycle paths throughout the park?

I am a casual cyclist and I like to cruise on my skateboard at times too, not serious enough for the "action sports parks". Looking at the photos I was imagining cruising around on my bicycle throughout the park, but I can see that won't be happening now. I didn't realize the park wasn't adding widened sidewalks to incorporate walkers and bicycles, hopefully the MAPS3 park will.

Can you explain the children's interactive fountain more? What is the green skin?

The children's interactive fountain is a unique structure that is being completed to go outside the Children's Garden area. Set on a plaza of mosaic gaillardia flowers (glass heat-burned into a specialized concrete mixture), the fountain integrates sound, light and water to provide an interactive experience unlike anything yet seen in Oklahoma. The fountain will be set on a timer, and will mimic an Oklahoma thunderstorm. Children can play under the fountain's canopy where fountains, in the shape of Gallardia flowers, will spray up out of the ground. When the system cycles on, children (and their parents) will be warned by a light misting, and sounds of rolling thunder. The sound will get louder and lights will flash representing lightning. Then the rain will fall not only from the fountain's canopy, but also sluice down the sides which will have "petals" on it.

I've seen the concept drawing for this, but not actual renderings. It's very artistic in its design and is really quite a feat of engineering. I don't want to give away too many more details on this as I do want folks to be surprised when they see it.

I will say that green skin looks to be made of metal tiling of some kind - as far as I could SEE. I do not know the exact material. It is irridescent in nature, in that depending upon the lighting it can look purple to aqua to green-yellow. I believe it is simply a decorative element and does not serve a specific function.


are they also still building the treehouse thing?
As far as I know, yes. They just haven't gotten to that yet. During Festival, people will be able to see the Children's Garden, but as they're still working on the detailed elements inside, public access won't be available likely until June.


Also, why did they decide on an open air bandshell? Seems like they lose the acoustic and weather proofing benefits of a traditional design.
This would be a good question for the steering committee and/or architects. I really don't know the answer to that as I was in on only a few of their meetings.


I have to say that is a little disappointing. Thanks for answering my question.

Two other questions;
#1 Will there be bicycle racks for chain lock, nearby the park?

#2 Do you know if the MAPS3 Central Park will be incorporating bicycle paths throughout the park?

Hi Lee,

I certainly appreciate your concern, and your disappointment. Please keep in mind that throughout the entire process, the idea that remained forefront on the mind of the designers and steering committee members was how to integrate more active participation in the Gardens, while keeping the more tame, botanical aspects of a true botanical gardens, as was the dream of the Gardens' founder Mr. Dean A. McGee.

I don't know to what level bicycles, etc. were considered, but given the way these sidewalks were designed, to provide not only acess in and out of the grounds, but also add an aesthetic element via the way they were lain out as well as the elements used (nothing is just poured concrete), I think you'll see when you are in there why the space is really not suitable for boarding, blading or bicycles inside. Likely some of this is due to the idea that this is the kind of space to be enjoyed at a leisurely place. They want you to savor it and enjoy finding new surprises in the different areas, not just rush through the experience.

That being said, there are bicycle racks where people can chain their bikes to. I don't know the exact locations at this time. I know that one of them is on the north side, not far from the band shell. I'll certainly try to get that information for you.

As for the MAPS3 park, I have heard some preliminary discussions that do include much wider trails, sidewalks, etc. for the design, simply based upon the number of acres involved. There is a wealth of difference between a large 40-50 acre "central" park and a smaller 17-acre urban gardens. The MAPS3 park will likely have many more open spaces for active recreation, and I can only assume it will include bicycles. I have very little information on what has been discussed for this park as far as the design is concerned, so outside of what I've noted above, don't have any information to share.

I hope everyone can wait and hold judgment (tough, I know, for this group) until after you've experienced the new Gardens before worrying too much about things. Give it time. I think it'll grow on you!

I second that. Only in Oklahoma would we prohibit users. Especially since our parks are wayyyyyyy underused.

That's a very salient point, metro.

However, the Myriad Gardens are small, and I'm guessing there will be lots of curving paths. Personally, if I'm walking, I don't want to have to go around a curve and worry about a bicyclists coming straight at me. I realize you can make very wide paths and theoretically have a lane for each, but then those take up a significant amount of the space in the park, and wider paths are less aesthetic. I ride bikes and I'd be happy to hop off my bike to walk through the park, as long as there are bike racks, which is an important item for park developers to consider.

I'm with betts on this one. Let's make sure the new grand park has bicycle paths, but I think it is okay to leave this smaller park as a pedestrian zone. Seems like this is more of an event park.

I'm in agreement with the point that you don't want bikes in a park unless the paths are wide enough to accommodate. Just wish there was maybe one nice broad path that acted like a "spine" that bicycles could cross the park. In the perfect world's Myriad Gardens, it could have been lined with bike racks and people could just lock it up there and venture further into the park.

Is it too late for adding bike racks? Seems a cheap and sensible adjustment.

Won't there be bike lanes on all the streets surrounding the park?

Pete, I'm not exactly sure of the bike lane status in this general area. Three sides of the park will have on-street (parallel) parking as soon as the streetscape areas are complete, so I'm not sure how bike lanes or sharrows would configure in that.

Here is a photo of one of the bike racks (http://www.flickr.com/photos/50408515@N06/5598857608/in/photostream). As I noted earlier, I'm not certain how many of them there will be. This one is located on the north side, adjacent to the "Harvey Spine," which transects the Gardens north to south. It's just north of the band shell.

Fritter Girl-thanks for sharing your photos! They are fantastic! As far as trees being planted, how many different species are there? Do you know if they planted any live oaks? I think it would serve the park well because these trees are evergreens so they keep their leaves in the winter months. How about any redbuds? Cherry Blossom Trees. Imagine the burst of color in the springtime!! I hope the Gardens plan on displaying interesting flora

Fritter Girl-thanks for sharing your photos! They are fantastic! As far as trees being planted, how many different species are there? Do you know if they planted any live oaks? I think it would serve the park well because these trees are evergreens so they keep their leaves in the winter months. How about any redbuds? Cherry Blossom Trees. Imagine the burst of color in the springtime!! I hope the Gardens plan on displaying interesting flora

There is oak trees in the front yard, but they do not stay green during the Winter. In fact, they seem to be able to hold onto the leaves way after turning brown into dead until excess wind knock them all off. They're great trees.

There is oak trees in the front yard, but they do not stay green during the Winter. In fact, they seem to be able to hold onto the leaves way after turning brown into dead until excess wind knock them all off. They're great trees. Actually there are different types of oaks. The live oak is very prevelant in the South and the reason why they are called "live" is because they are green year round. They do shed their leaves however, while there shedding leaves, new leaves take their place so the branches are never barren. They are not "dormant" trees that is part of why they are an evergreen.

Is it too late for adding bike racks? Seems a cheap and sensible adjustment.

It was mentioned just a few posts back their will be bike racks, but that still doesn't solve the problem of people wanting a leisurely, scenic bike ride downtown and NOT a stroll in the park on foot. Again, OKC 's parks are wayyyyyyy underused. I'd rather wait to change it to no bikes or rollerskating after it gets busy on a frequent basis.

. I'd rather wait to change it to no bikes or rollerskating after it gets busy on a frequent basis.

Just imagine what kind of protests would ensue. It's better to start with that policy in place to start with instead of reversing it later.

So I just came back from the Arts Festival, and I must say I am very impressed by how open and modern the Myriad Gardens feel. I think the changes that have been made are very bold, something I never would have expected in OKC. The overall feeling is very lively, there's a lot of public art and it doesn't feel walled in like the old Gardens did.

Big thumbs up from me.

Everyone lease post your pics, this is the time to shoot pics to use for PR pieces for the city.

So I just came back from the Arts Festival, and I must say I am very impressed by how open and modern the Myriad Gardens feel. I think the changes that have been made are very bold, something I never would have expected in OKC. The overall feeling is very lively, there's a lot of public art and it doesn't feel walled in like the old Gardens did.

Big thumbs up from me.

I agree, I just got back myself and I was VERY impressed with how it looks. Very open, & very modern. I am actually amazed at how "big" it feels compared to the old gardens, especially considering that the east half is not even open. Two thumbs WAY up!

I'm going today. I'll try to snap some pictures.

Wow, what an absolutely perfect day. I would have stayed down there all day but had to go charge my batteries. I got plenty of Devon video, all around the Myriad Gardens, Crystal Bridge and some of the Arts Festival. Look for it in a few days.

Wow, what an absolutely perfect day. I would have stayed down there all day but had to go charge my batteries. I got plenty of Devon video, all around the Myriad Gardens, Crystal Bridge and some of the Arts Festival. Look for it in a few days.

Definitely looking forward to it. Really appreciate the works you share here.

Wow, what an absolutely perfect day. I would have stayed down there all day but had to go charge my batteries. I got plenty of Devon video, all around the Myriad Gardens, Crystal Bridge and some of the Arts Festival. Look for it in a few days.

I agree!!! Me and the family went today as well I would've stayed all day too! It was GORGEOUS outside!! I have some pics I will post as well.

...

So, I agree with pretty much everyone else, the Gardens look amazing. I'm really impressed with how modern the park looks. There are so many events that the park can get used for and it got me thinking... And I'm sure this has been discussed, but how do you think the Myriad Gardens will interact with the new park. When I was at the gardens today I was thinking, do we even need a new park now (I know we're getting one either way)? So, what am I missing? What is the new park going to do that this one won't. Will they play off each other? Again, sorry if these questions are repetitive or stupid...

You can't utilize the myriad gardens for playing sports/goofing off like you can any large field park. No soccer games. No baseball. No ultimate frisbee. No practices for youth sports teams. No great running/biking areas. That's what I'm really looking forward to with the new park in an urban area.

You can't utilize the myriad gardens for playing sports/goofing off like you can any large field park. No soccer games. No baseball. No ultimate frisbee. No practices for youth sports teams. No great running/biking areas. That's what I'm really looking forward to with the new park in an urban area.

Exactly, iMAX. The Myriad Gardens are designed to be a very condensed high activity type of park. The new park will be a much larger more passive type of park and will serve a very different purpose.

Something to keep in mind with the MAPS 3 park, the sports fields are slated for the lower portion of the Park and slotted for construction at a much later date than the upper portion of the Park. In other words, you are going to be waiting a while...

And while both have some duplicate elements at this point, it will be a matter of scale. Smaller events can be held at the MG while larger gatherings at the MAPS 3 Park

Exactly, iMAX. The Myriad Gardens are designed to be a very condensed high activity type of park. The new park will be a much larger more passive type of park and will serve a very different purpose.

Well, technically it's the other way. Both the Myriad Gardens redesign and the new park follow a pattern of new, more active parks that are often termed "highly-programmed" meaning that each space has a purpose. It's just that the Myriad is too small and condensed to have much room for athletic fields, although you could probably organize some ultimate frisbee on the new lawn, although I imagine that space will primarily be a huge hit for music festivals.

The new park won't exactly have room for baseball or soccer, until the south of I-40 expansion is completed, which will have more athletic fields. My concern with that is that OKC's climate is such that athletic fields are usually really unattractive spaces. In climates that aren't as sunny and oppressively hot, athletic fields tend to be more lush and green, whereas in OKC they tend to get brown and ugly.

So glad everyone is enjoying the new Gardens. We certainly are, and so far, we've had nothing but RAVE reviews. And this is just the beginning!

If anyone is around, I'm happy to do an impromptu tour at 3 this afternoon. Meet at the North End of the Crystal Bridge. If interested, let me know here, or give us an @reply on twitter @myriadgardens. I can do one a bit later, too, if that fits your schedule.

How complete is the renovation at this point? If I were to show up on Saturday in a few weeks with a family member or two, is there anything we wouldn't be able to look at?

I would say you'd get to "look at" almost everying. Being able to "experience" things is a bit different.

The main grounds are about 3/4 complete, although there is still a lot of small detail work to go. The conservatory portion of the Crystal Bridge is also complete and open.

Areas that should open in mid- to late- June are the Children's Garden and Children's Interactive Fountain.

Areas that remain under construction and will not open for a few months are the dog release area (I had earlier reported that would be open), the restaurant and All-Seasons' Plaza, and the southeast entryway. The new visitors' information center on the south end of the Crystal Bridge will also still be under construction.

There may still be some areas where they will resume work, but again, that is really for detail purposes.

Thanks wind for ruining my plans for coming back and doing more of the Festival.

All-Seasons' Plaza <<< Is this the gift shop? Please tell me they left the gift shop in there!

So glad everyone is enjoying the new Gardens. We certainly are, and so far, we've had nothing but RAVE reviews. And this is just the beginning!

If anyone is around, I'm happy to do an impromptu tour at 3 this afternoon. Meet at the North End of the Crystal Bridge. If interested, let me know here, or give us an @reply on twitter @myriadgardens. I can do one a bit later, too, if that fits your schedule.

Do the place provide interpreter access?

FritterGirl, can you explain what this is? Will it eventually be a water feature?

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp260/diggyba/MyriadandDevon043.jpg?t=1304111370

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

I don't think the fishies will like disturbance. :-(

I don't think the fishies will like disturbance. :-(

I can picture you spending all day down there in a fish outfit and sign that says, "Do not disturb the fishies".

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/dailyinterlake.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/0/e9/27a/0e927a50-c04d-11df-ba73-001cc4c03286-revisions/4c8ff322cf09c.image.jpg