i for one am really happy our park is not like the gathering place ..... that is basicly an amusement park for kids ...

also it did not cost close to 465M

I questioned that number as well, but these are the articles that came up:

https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/tulsa-s-gathering-place-among-largest-us-parks-set-to-open

A Saturday parade, starting at 8 a.m., and concerts, which will feature The Roots, among others, will mark the opening of the $465 million Gathering Place. The 100-acre stretch along the Arkansas River will include bike and walking trails and sports courts. Admission is free, but equipment rental will cost.

https://www.curbed.com/2018/8/30/17800130/tulsa-park-gathering-place

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/arts/design/tulsa-park-gathering-place.html

Seven years later, the Olmsted-style transformation of 66 acres in the central city is now Gathering Place, a much-anticipated $465 million park that opens Sept. 8 as one of the largest and most ambitious public parks ever created with private funds — and the latest example of deep-pocketed citizens rebuilding cities through projects they perceive to be in the public good.

Also, that $465 number might be with the $100 million in endowment raised for operations.

To your first point, the reason I like it is because it is a destination. I have no doubt that ours will be as well, but I don't think it will be 300,000 in the first month (data from the Tulsa World).

Pete, do you have any idea on what kind of grand opening ceremonies they have in the works?

I questioned that number as well, but these are the articles that came up:

https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/tulsa-s-gathering-place-among-largest-us-parks-set-to-open

A Saturday parade, starting at 8 a.m., and concerts, which will feature The Roots, among others, will mark the opening of the $465 million Gathering Place. The 100-acre stretch along the Arkansas River will include bike and walking trails and sports courts. Admission is free, but equipment rental will cost.

https://www.curbed.com/2018/8/30/17800130/tulsa-park-gathering-place

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/arts/design/tulsa-park-gathering-place.html

Seven years later, the Olmsted-style transformation of 66 acres in the central city is now Gathering Place, a much-anticipated $465 million park that opens Sept. 8 as one of the largest and most ambitious public parks ever created with private funds — and the latest example of deep-pocketed citizens rebuilding cities through projects they perceive to be in the public good.

Also, that $465 number might be with the $100 million in endowment raised for operations.

To your first point, the reason I like it is because it is a destination. I have no doubt that ours will be as well, but I don't think it will be 300,000 in the first month (data from the Tulsa World).

Pete, do you have any idea on what kind of grand opening ceremonies they have in the works?


while that is the number always quoted it includes a bunch on things that are near the park but not really part of the park

including money for a bridge over the tulsa river
money for replacement of the zink dam
the cost for replacing riverside drive and the related water and sewer
a bridge over riverside drive

that number also included the endowment i believe ..


that being said none of that really matters

it is a great park for kids and will be used a ton and used forever ... and the fact that kaiser not only donated 200 mil but also spearheaded the fundraising is amazing ..

the state is lucky to have that park

Pete, do you have any idea on what kind of grand opening ceremonies they have in the works?

It will be a week-long celebration the 3rd week of September.

They are planning a very high-profile act for that Saturday night. Rumor is Garth Brooks.

while that is the number always quoted it includes a bunch on things that are near the park but not really part of the park

including money for a bridge over the tulsa river
money for replacement of the zink dam
the cost for replacing riverside drive and the related water and sewer
a bridge over riverside drive

that number also included the endowment i believe ..


that being said none of that really matters

it is a great park for kids and will be used a ton and used forever ... and the fact that kaiser not only donated 200 mil but also spearheaded the fundraising is amazing ..

the state is lucky to have that park

The total number is actually $468 million and does include $65 million in city and federal infrastructure money. That $65 million includes the city portion ($24 million) of the pedestrian bridge which has not yet been built. It does not include the dams and other riverbank work from the last Vision vote. Most of the rest of infrastructure spending was Riverside and the “bridge” over the street. But this is all very much part of the park, the street is now below grade and the “bridge” is actually two tunnels with massive land bridges over them to connect the park on either side of Riverside. It’s completely part of the park. Go and you will understand.

So as for actual total spending on the park so far, the $468 million does include the $100 million endowment and $24 million that has not yet been spent. That leaves a total of $344 million was spent on the park.

I would also argue the $40 million pedestrian bridge and new $60 million dam and white water sports area will be park of the park, but they haven't been built yet. Nor has the $45 million children's museum.

I would also argue the $40 million pedestrian bridge and new $60 million dam and white water sports area will be park of the park, but they haven't been built yet. Nor has the $45 million children's museum.

Additionally there is a mixed-use component (phase 3) that will be built along Crow Creek. No details have been released but it's likely a large project that should include residential. This would also likely include a trail that connects the development and park directly to Brookside and the existing shops/restaurants along Peoria.

Additionally there is a mixed-use component (phase 3) that will be built along Crow Creek. No details have been released but it's likely a large project that should include residential. This would also likely include a trail that connects the development and park directly to Brookside and the existing shops/restaurants along Peoria.

They will have to buy out about three blocks of houses along Crow Creek to connect the park and Brookside Commercial area. I'm sure they have that figured out. I know that a friend who has a house that backs to the creek has been offered a good deal of money for his house, and he's on the other side of Crow Creek.

FYI, Crow Creek is the "Brook" in Brookside.

The total number is actually $468 million and does include $65 million in city and federal infrastructure money. That $65 million includes the city portion ($24 million) of the pedestrian bridge which has not yet been built. It does not include the dams and other riverbank work from the last Vision vote. Most of the rest of infrastructure spending was Riverside and the “bridge” over the street. But this is all very much part of the park, the street is now below grade and the “bridge” is actually two tunnels with massive land bridges over them to connect the park on either side of Riverside. It’s completely part of the park. Go and you will understand.

.

i have been at no point is the road "below grade"

i have been at no point is the road "below grade"

https://kotv.images.worldnow.com/images/17596065_G.jpg

building hills next to a road doesn't change the grade of the road

I love this site and the information that is provided, but sometimes the ridiculous crap that is debated and critiqued is really annoying.

At the end of the day both Tulsa and OKC will have amazing parks, both of which the State should be proud of.

I love silly arguments that doesn't really matter. I want to play.

Looks like more than just hills to me. What happens when you raise the terrain all around the road, have it go through two tunnels and have a bridge that goes over that road? lol
15283

Completely agree about the silly arguments

I love this site and the information that is provided, but sometimes the ridiculous crap that is debated and critiqued is really annoying.

At the end of the day both Tulsa and OKC will have amazing parks, both of which the State should be proud of.

You are so correct about the impact it will have on both cities.

Tulsa's Gathering Place, if it were in the Tulsa downtown core, it would be even more awesome. It does add some attention to the River parks area of the Arkansas River that is long overdue.



https://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/large960_blur-3785e4f33f4229596ca080d8701abf98.jpg

https://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/large960_blur-62fbb37a8f32de3de97ff9e6dbc4b225.jpg

Oklahoma City will have a central park that will complement and tie together its core with the new convention center & Omni Hotel. This will be very impressive to visitors & guests. The MAP3 Streetcar transit piece is a game-changer for OKC--can't wait for the National TV media to take note of what's going on outside The Peake with new Thunder Alley as these projects & developments should take place into 2020. The Park, OKC streetcar, midtown, downtown & bricktown developments, new convention center & Omni Hotel will provide a solid catalyst to grow the area with future quality developments.

https://kotv.images.worldnow.com/images/17596065_G.jpg

Just curious about this photo... Will the grass be left to grow or do they plan on trimming it back along the road?

I love silly arguments that doesn't really matter. I want to play.

Looks like more than just hills to me. What happens when you raise the terrain all around the road, have it go through two tunnels and have a bridge that goes over that road? lol
15283

that is one tiny section of the road that was recently rebuilt ... the entire road is at the same grade ..

https://kotv.images.worldnow.com/images/17596065_G.jpg

This sort of cap to connect the north and south parks would beat the pants off of the dumb renderings we have seen for the area over 235.

Just curious about this photo... Will the grass be left to grow or do they plan on trimming it back along the road?

It's supposed to be left in a natural state, it's a mix of native grasses and plants that grow around Tulsa. People were all up in arms about it last fall but most have probably gotten used to it by now. It's definitely a change when you're driving on Riverside into the park from the north or south.

Nvm. BG918 said what I was going to say.

Found this in my photo archives from 2011.

Pretty stunning to look at given all the progress; 2nd photo is almost exactly 8 years later.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/centralpark41511.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail042519c.jpg

Wow, elevated highways definitely don't look good... I don't understand how elevated highways were ever a fad.

Wow, elevated highways definitely don't look good... I don't understand how elevated highways were ever a fad.

Among many downsides, maintenance is a huge problem. Big chunks of concrete falling, etc.

It made sense at the time. They could build a cheap highway really fast while keeping existing city streets open. Different time/different priorities.

Wow, elevated highways definitely don't look good... I don't understand how elevated highways were ever a fad.

Which is why none of the boulevard should be elevated. Our planners seem to live back in the 60s. The minute the boulevard elevates, it ironically drags down all the surrounding real estate.

It made sense at the time. They could build a cheap highway really fast while keeping existing city streets open. Different time/different priorities.

I don't agree with the first sentence, but I agree with the last one.

https://kotv.images.worldnow.com/images/17596065_G.jpg

That is awesome. MAPS 4 idea for OKCs park?

The upside to an elevated freeway is that it makes it fairly straightforward to keep the grid intact through a dense urban area. Many streets could pass under the bridge without having to have the highway lift up and touch down to accommodate each of them. This also made including a large number of interchanges possible.

However, these benefits were far outweighed by the downsides. In addition to the aesthetic and societal flaws, they were difficult to expand when needed, and the glut of interchanges many of them provided proved to be a safety hazard.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail053019a.jpg

I don't see this opening any earlier than September, like some of us hoped.

I've never heard anyone on the back end mention anything other than September

The original schedule was July but that has slipped at least twice.

The grand opening was always to be in September just to be sure they would be finished and to accommodate the schedule of the featured act, which I think is going to be Garth Brooks.

I've heard from a very good source that he's worried about a September opening due to all the rain this spring. Also, don't count on Garth, but I think everyone will be royally entertained by the opening night act.

I've heard from a very good source that he's worried about a September opening due to all the rain this spring. Also, don't count on Garth, but I think everyone will be royally entertained by the opening night act.

Queen is making a comeback??

Queen is making a comeback??

Ain't no Queen without Freddie, and Superfly says Freddie's dead...

I'm sure the hint is about Kings of Leon, which would be another great draw.

Or Randy Marsh as Lorde singing Royals....

Or Randy Marsh as Lorde singing Royals....

Lordey, Lorde, Lorde, yah, yah, yah.

Drove around earlier today and I was very impressed with the progress. This, along with the CC and Omni are going to make a huge difference. I did see a skateboarder inside the fence though. I meant to call and report it but got sidetracked and forgot. I hope the park doesn't get vandalized before it even opens.

I think the logistics of holding a Free Garth Brooks concert would be a nightmare. His shows kept selling out when he came through here and Tulsa during his tour. It would be like Thunder Alley all over again.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail060819a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail060819b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail060819c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail060819d.jpg

Just me or does that seem like a lot of wasted space on the Northeast corner of the park? Just a giant blank paved space.

Maybe they envisioned that will be the entrance/ticketing area if they ever hold large concerts in the park? Or they figure there will be a lot of foot traffic gathering there for conventions/thunder games/peake events?

I know that is where that sculpture is gonna go, but man that area is gonna sit empty 99.99% of the time and just looks so barren.

It will have its use I'm sure. If I were to guess, I'd say they were pinpointing this area as a gathering place. Sort of like the centermost point for the area of parks, arena and convention center.

Just me or does that seem like a lot of wasted space on the Northeast corner of the park? Just a giant blank paved space.

Maybe they envisioned that will be the entrance/ticketing area if they ever hold large concerts in the park? Or they figure there will be a lot of foot traffic gathering there for conventions/thunder games/peake events?

I know that is where that sculpture is gonna go, but man that area is gonna sit empty 99.99% of the time and just looks so barren.
That was my exact thought when I saw the picture.

Once this thing opens up it's going to scream for development to happen on the big lot between the Park and the Gardens. The latter is nearly always packed when I go by on the occasional weekend, but it's basically a dead zone immediately to the south. That will probably change a bit with the Park opening, but as it stands now there isn't a particularly comfortable pedestrian experience to get between the two.

Remember, there will be a big sculpture in that location.

I'm sure the thought is that it would be a big gathering place for groups and concerts.

Just me or does that seem like a lot of wasted space on the Northeast corner of the park? Just a giant blank paved space.

Maybe they envisioned that will be the entrance/ticketing area if they ever hold large concerts in the park? Or they figure there will be a lot of foot traffic gathering there for conventions/thunder games/peake events?

I know that is where that sculpture is gonna go, but man that area is gonna sit empty 99.99% of the time and just looks so barren.

I'm sure it will see many uses. I'd like to see some regular pop-up shop events and an occasional food-truck festival down there.

I'm sure it will see many uses. I'd like to see some regular pop-up shop events and an occasional food-truck festival down there.

Would be perfect for the old monthly H&8th foodtruck nights. Could have live entertainment too. Lots of possibilities.

They are planning to have a food truck area and using it for convention attendees. The big opening party is September 26th

I wish, I wish I thought the layout of Scissortail Park was the best use for the space which was provided. But I just feel like it was a swing and a miss. Sure, its a nice space BUT not convinced the layout is best use of the space. Yes, grateful for improvements but feel like something is missing. Hopefully after the vegetation has grown everything will come together. Hope, hope.

I wish, I wish I thought the layout of Scissortail Park was the best use for the space which was provided. But I just feel like it was a swing and a miss. Sure, its a nice space BUT not convinced the layout is best use of the space. Yes, grateful for improvements but feel like something is missing. Hopefully after the vegetation has grown everything will come together. Hope, hope.
Come back to that thought in 10 years or so.

**MEDIA ALERT**

June 17: Major gift announcement, naming of stage and great lawn at Scissortail Park

WHAT
Mayor David Holt will announce a major gift in Scissortail Park, scheduled to open this fall, on the 6-acre Stage and Great Lawn. This first-class outdoor performance venue features a 2,400 square-foot-stage area with green room and capacity for small (up to 1,500 guests), medium (up to 10,000 guests) and large (up to 15,000 guests) events including concerts, outdoor movies, corporate events and symphonic performances.

Mayor Holt will also announce the official name of the Stage and Great Lawn.

Scissortail Park, a MAPS 3 project, is a 70-acre public space opening in fall 2019. Located on the south side of Myriad Botanical Gardens, the Park continues to the shore of the Oklahoma River and features a number of engaging experiences for attendees, including ornamental gardens and woodlands, a 3.7-acre lake, children’s playground and water feature, café, boathouse, stage, seasonal outdoor roller rink, dog park and interactive fountain.


WHEN
Monday, June 17, 2019
10:30 a.m.


WHERE
Stage at Scissortail Park
Corner of Oklahoma Boulevard and Robinson Avenue
Hard hats and safety vests required and provided
Parking is in the lot on the north side of OKC Boulevard and Robinson (see map)
Meet Scissortail Park Foundation at the northeast corner of Oklahoma City Boulevard and Robinson to receive your hard hat and vest then be escorted to the stage


WHO
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt
Maureen Heffernan, CEO of Scissortail Park Foundation and the Myriad Gardens Foundation
Jim Tolbert, chairman of Scissortail Park Foundation Board
Special guests from the entity presenting the gift

this is great news

this is great news

As in you know what the gift will be?

As in you know what the gift will be?

no sorry

i meant just that there is going to be a major gift is great ...

i hope this is maybe a start of a trend and we can name the lake next or a garden or whatever ..

As in you know what the gift will be?

Free gift certificate from Sonic for the first 100 guest during opening. lol

Maybe the gift is the sculpture?

no sorry

i meant just that there is going to be a major gift is great ...

i hope this is maybe a start of a trend and we can name the lake next or a garden or whatever ..

http://failuremag.com/img/uploads/Articles/Leg-Lamp-at-A-Christmas-Story-House.JPG

It's a 30 foot tall one of these. It's a major award.

That's the spirit hoya, a lone-legged high kicker...


no sorry

i meant just that there is going to be a major gift is great ...

i hope this is maybe a start of a trend and we can name the lake next or a garden or whatever ..


With a nice $5 million donation, the name of the new lake should honor our friends

'OG&E Springs.' :wink: :wink: :wink:

"Together Lake"

A giant birdcage with live scissortails?
“Flys with Scissors”

http://failuremag.com/img/uploads/Articles/Leg-Lamp-at-A-Christmas-Story-House.JPG

It's a 30 foot tall one of these. It's a major award.

1000% on board with this plan.

Oklahoma City Bandshell and Oklahoma City Oval.