What caused them to lay new sod? I was out there yesterday and it is fairly rough in the area.

There was some damage caused during the stage setup and concert for the opening weekend that was needing to be fixed. That may be where you are talking about.

New Google Earth pictures of the park are up.

How do I find those? Everywhere I look (Maps, Earth on the web, and the standalone program) still have no convention center and a dirt ark.

How do I find those? Everywhere I look (Maps, Earth on the web, and the standalone program) still have no convention center and a dirt ark.

In Google Earth, click on the clock with arrow near the top and it should display imagery from April 7, 2020.

They are pretty low resolution compared to normal Google imagery. That is probably why they don't show up as standard but are available as an option in the historical feature.

https://i.gyazo.com/82e479eb0ecf4091f13c0a7a93c5f615.jpg

^

Very strange. They just overlaid a relatively low-res image of the middle of downtown.

^

Very strange. They just overlaid a relatively low-res image of the middle of downtown.

I noticed that. It's a Airbus / CNES (France's NASA) photo. They do provide their own service for on-demand space imagery. Likely someone (developer, city agency, map maker etc.) needed an updated aerial of downtown OKC and CNES had a satellite in the area at the right time and at the right price. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spot_Image

Most GE imagery is actually done from airplanes, as the resolution is much greater. That pic looks like it is from space. Very blurry at close in zooms.

Today's farmer's market.

They need to get that lot open south of the convention center as there was absolutely no parking available.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/farmersmarket051620a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail052720a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail052720b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail052720c.jpg

Is this still happening?16123

Is this still happening?16123

I believe so.

I checked on it and was told they are waiting on the artist.

But then I saw in a report that it was on hold due to Thunder Alley; which I took to mean there was concern about the similarity with another sculpture directly across the street.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail052720a.jpg

Not even a year into the park being open and just look at how well our first crop of geese are doing.

Not even a year into the park being open and just look at how well our first crop of geese are doing.

Pete was lucky to survive, since Geese are monsters!

Thunder Alley "competing" sculpture16124

I like the Sputnik memorial option better.

Park and farmer's market and Myriad Gardens absolutely heaving this morning, with tons of people circling for parking spaces.

If you notice, the old Goodwill lot is full.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail053020a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail053020b.jpg

Our two big downtown parks are a certified hit. Cannot wait until those trees are more mature...gonna be so awesome!

Something tells me if they could walk a few blocks there would be zero issue finding parking.

Something tells me if they could walk a few blocks there would be zero issue finding parking.

Not that easy. The entire area was full as was the Myriad Gardens.

It was a long walk to any available spaces.

You mean just the spaces around the park?

You mean just the spaces around the park?

I mean within a few blocks.

I mean within a few blocks.
Oh wow.

Hate to give away my parking secret but..... Wasn't bad there at 9 AM.... Found a space pretty easily.

There was also a market taking place over at Myriad Gardens.... I think next time we go down there I'm just going to take my bike and park at my office though.

I was glad to see about 50% of the people wearing face masks.

This is great to hear. At least they weren't destroying everything as they are in our Denver downtown park.

I didn’t see a single person wearing a mask in the park. I will say the parking was easy to find when I arrived but then when I left not a single spot was to be found for blocks.

I’m at packards right now and even parking in midtown is getting tight. I like it! Greats vibes tonight.

Park and farmer's market and Myriad Gardens absolutely heaving this morning, with tons of people circling for parking spaces.

If you notice, the old Goodwill lot is full.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail053020a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail053020b.jpg

Depending on when the overhead picture was taken I might have been in it.

Parking wasn't too much of a problem for me, but I did start up at the Myriad and then two blocks over from that.

I was glad to see about 50% of the people wearing face masks.

when I went, around 1, seemed more like 15%

I was hit up by a scissortail survey taker and when asked about things I didn't like I noted that it seemed like a limited selection and gave the example that my GF asked me to get eggs and there were no vendors selling eggs, which doesn't seem like an unusual request for a farmers market. The survey taker noted they were expecting to have about a third more vendors the next weekend, for whatever that's worth to everybody.

Press release:

*******************

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2020

OSU-OKC Farmers Market at Scissortail Park Partners with Shape Your Future to bring easy, healthy recipes to life using locally sourced ingredients.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The OSU-OKC Farmers Market at Scissortail Park is proud to announce its partnership with Shape Your Future. The new farmers market and Shape Your Future will collaborate with chefs across the Oklahoma City metro to show the public how to make simple, healthy recipes using locally-sourced ingredients from the farmers market.

Shape Your Future, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), is a reliable source for tips that help Oklahomans live healthier, longer lives. Shape Your Future provides free resources on physical activity, nutrition, water consumption and living tobacco-free lifestyles. One focus of the program is encouraging Oklahomans to eat healthier by filling half their plates with fruits and vegetables.

"Eating fruits and vegetables and incorporating them into daily meals is a must to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and we are excited to partner with the OSU-OKC Farmers Market at Scissortail Park to help make this easy for Oklahoma families,” said Julie Bisbee, TSET executive director. “TSET's mission is to help improve the health of all Oklahomans. This partnership allows us to bring healthy recipes to life in a fresh, new way. That the cooking demonstrations are both easy to follow and the dishes simple to make at home with locally grown ingredients is a win-win.” Mary Bixler, Scissortail Park farmers market manager, says it is difficult to buy affordable, quality fresh food in downtown Oklahoma City.

“Downtown is one of the many food desserts in Oklahoma City. It is very important that we increase accessibility of fresh, local and nutrient-dense food to Oklahomans, and in order to do that we need access to this food as well as education on how to utilize and preserve it,” Bixler said. “We are very excited about our partnership with TSET’s Shape Your Future program. This is a great resource for the diverse communities of the larger Oklahoma City area because it will help teach people how to make use of local ingredients that we might otherwise not know how to work. Additionally, chefs will demonstrate how to be more sustainable in using all parts of the plant or animal so as to cut down on waste and maximize the utility of fresh, seasonal products.”

The new OSU-OKC Farmers Market at Scissortail Park is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. through October. Products are entirely made or grown in Oklahoma, and many market members offer EBT/SNAP benefits. The market is also working on a partnership with Hunger-Free Oklahoma in order to facilitate “Double Up Oklahoma”, or DUO, a program that doubles the amount of EBT/SNAP benefits up to $20.

A drive-up loading zone called the “Veggie Valet” is available for guests for curbside package pickup on Oklahoma City Boulevard. After purchasing products from market members, customers can request the “Veggie Valet” service and park staff and volunteers will store items in a tent and place them in vehicles once customers pull up.

Live recipe demonstrations will take place every Saturday at the Love’s Travel Stops Stage at Scissortail Park sponsored by Shape Your Future. The time for these demos is still to be determined due to COVID-19.

To find the first recipe and step-by-step video, visit SYFOK.com/scissortail.

This is Awesome! I signed up for the newsletter

I know there was some criticism about Scissortail not being heavily programmed and other worries.

But I have to say this park has been very well received. I'm down there a lot and usually there are tons of people out and about.

It fills a very big need in the core, which is providing a place to walk and lots of open space. On Saturday, there was a rugby match being played on the oval and on other days I've seen people throwing the football or frisbee or baseball.

Once the Lower Park is finished, the bridge to the river will be really great. We need more places where people can just get out and walk, walk their dogs, ride their bikes and have informal recreation... And in these regards, Scissortail Park is already a smash. More so than I would have expected and it's only going to be more so down the road.

I know there was some criticism about Scissortail not being heavily programmed and other worries.

But I have to say this park has been very well received. I'm down there a lot and usually there are tons of people out and about.

It fills a very big need in the core, which is providing a place to walk and lots of open space. On Saturday, there was a rugby match being played on the oval and on other days I've seen people throwing the football or frisbee or baseball.

Once the Lower Park is finished, the bridge to the river will be really great. We need more places where people can just get out and walk, walk their dogs, ride their bikes and have informal recreation... And in these regards, Scissortail Park is already a smash. More so than I would have expected and it's only going to be more so down the road.

Totally agree with this. I Really liked it when I visited OKC when it first opened, will only get better. That whole area was nicely done (Omni, convention center). If they get substantial development on the old cotton seed area and surface parking lot across from ST park then look out!

I was hit up by a scissortail survey taker and when asked about things I didn't like I noted that it seemed like a limited selection and gave the example that my GF asked me to get eggs and there were no vendors selling eggs, which doesn't seem like an unusual request for a farmers market. The survey taker noted they were expecting to have about a third more vendors the next weekend, for whatever that's worth to everybody.

It seems to be expanding every weekend from what I can tell.

I know there was some criticism about Scissortail not being heavily programmed and other worries.

But I have to say this park has been very well received. I'm down there a lot and usually there are tons of people out and about.

It fills a very big need in the core, which is providing a place to walk and lots of open space. On Saturday, there was a rugby match being played on the oval and on other days I've seen people throwing the football or frisbee or baseball.

Once the Lower Park is finished, the bridge to the river will be really great. We need more places where people can just get out and walk, walk their dogs, ride their bikes and have informal recreation... And in these regards, Scissortail Park is already a smash. More so than I would have expected and it's only going to be more so down the road.

There is a pedestrian bridge in the wliey post plans. This will connect all three parks together.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail061220c.jpg

Nice day for a farmers market

After seeing the park now in better weather I must say it's way better than my initial impression back in November. It's very nice.

Any idea when construction of the lower park will begin?

Any idea when construction of the lower park will begin?

They will be putting the work out for bid very soon then construction is scheduled to start right after the first of the year and take about 18 months.

Pete, speaking of, next time you are at the park with the drone could you take a few shots of the lower park area? I think that would be interesting to see to compare and contrast to the completed upper park.

Pete, speaking of, next time you are at the park with the drone could you take a few shots of the lower park area? I think that would be interesting to see to compare and contrast to the completed upper park.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark050920a.jpg

You can definitely tell we got a ton of rain last week

They start their Live from the Lawn concert series this Friday with Adam Aguilar opening for Mike Hosty.

https://scissortailpark.org/live-from-the-lawn/

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark050920a.jpg

Thanks!

I can't wait until the entire thing is finished, will be interesting to walk the full park span from the Myriad down to the river.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail062520a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail062520a.jpg

Pete, on the bottom left of the picture it appears there are cars driving on a city street that has been closed off. Do people use this area of parking by moving the barrier? I can't figure out what is happening in this picture.

Pete, on the bottom left of the picture it appears there are cars driving on a city street that has been closed off. Do people use this area of parking by moving the barrier? I can't figure out what is happening in this picture.

There is no barrier to the north. Those are construction works who are backing in their cars or just turning around. And then double and triple parking.

Almost all the street parking around the park is taken by construction workers. I seriously doubt they are buying a new parking permit every 2 hours.

And a bunch of them park on the grass just south of Skydance Bridge then walk over Robinson (or break through the gates on the bridge).

There is no barrier to the north. Those are construction works who are backing in their cars or just turning around. And then double and triple parking.

Almost all the street parking around the park is taken by construction workers. I seriously doubt they are buying a new parking permit every 2 hours.

And a bunch of them park on the grass just south of Skydance Bridge then walk over Robinson (or break through the gates on the bridge).

I've seen construction workers walking over Robinson & Walker bridges near Little Flower Catholic Church to get to ST Park. There are some food trucks along the route. You're correct, they do park south of Skydance Bridge.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark050920a.jpg

Along with the park, I look forward to seeing what kind of development gets proposed for that entire stretch from I-40 to the river. Talk about being primed for development.

Along with the park, I look forward to seeing what kind of development gets proposed for that entire stretch from I-40 to the river. Talk about being primed for development.

It would be a.perfect spot for a corporate headquarters. Or dense residential.

For some reason I would like to see a few more university level departments here. We have the ACM with UCO in BT, there is the Law program from OCU, and I believe UCO has some business related courses in the library. I think we need a Tech-focus research university in the Core2Shore area

UCO has an entire program in the recently fully renovated Santa Fe garage space, where there are classes (might have taken over from library). The Catbird Seat, their business incubator, is in that space, as well as the radio station now (KCSU?). I _think_ there are still classes in the Carnegie also.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark050920a.jpg

Too bad we can't get the river water to be less brown...

Too bad we can't get the river water to be less brown...

Definitely not pure Rocky Mountain spring water.

Too bad we can't get the river water to be less brown...

It also affects what you see at the River Sports Rapids.

The red clay and sand mixture will project a brown river drone pic. If you really want to see what the water looks like, dip a gallon size glass jar into the river (not for drinking), you'd be surprise to see that it's much clearer than it looks from the drone shot.

Too bad we can't get the river water to be less brown...

I read a good environmental history book years ago that pointed out Americans' obsession with green lawns to the point of associating the environment with greenness. Of course, then we waste a massive amount of water trying to make bushes, plants, and mostly lawns green that have no business being green... except we think that's what is beautiful. I guess you could say the same for clear water or water that is brown with dirt. I don't really have a larger point since the river is unnatural anyway, but just that notions of beauty are socialized.

Grass also helps slow surface runoff and improves absorption and helps keep soil secure to avoid erosion which can be costly and lead to more issues such as flooding if not controlled. It's cool these days to badmouth folks who take care of their yards, but not all of us can xeriscape their lawns because a lot of us live in neighborhoods whose planners either didn't think much about hydrology or we live places where the surface runoff patterns have changed for the worse since our neighborhoods were built.

I read a good environmental history book years ago that pointed out Americans' obsession with green lawns to the point of associating the environment with greenness. Of course, then we waste a massive amount of water trying to make bushes, plants, and mostly lawns green that have no business being green... except we think that's what is beautiful. I guess you could say the same for clear water or water that is brown with dirt. I don't really have a larger point since the river is unnatural anyway, but just that notions of beauty are socialized.

One way to.improve the water quality would be to plant.or encourage wetlands upstream. Still the red/brown clay is a challenge compared to a rock bottom.

Central Oklahoma is the Red bed Plains....

One way to.improve the water quality would be to plant.or encourage wetlands upstream. Still the red/brown clay is a challenge compared to a rock bottom.

It’s why there is such a big difference in the western/central Oklahoma lakes like Thunderbird, Texoma, Eufaula, etc and the eastern Oklahoma rock bottom lakes like Grand and Tenkiller. The bonus with the muddy lakes is you get sand beaches.