That’s what I was thinking. Create multiple “portals” to each sister city. It wouldn’t be easy though. Would be cool too maybe to place one in Scissortail and one in Gathering Place which could be more doable.

Scissortail / Gathering would actually be really cool

What's interesting to me that there was lots of hand-wringing about the need for the park since it's so close to the Myriad Gardens. And that it was too basic to be of any real use.

And yet, you could argue that Scissortail Park is one of the great MAPS success stories. And it seems that will only be more the case when the lower section opens and directly connects downtown to the River and beyond.

There was lots and lots of bellyaching about Hargreaves (the park planners) but it turns out, they knew what they were doing.

I'm actually surprised by the success of the park and we are really just getting started. Besides the Lower Park we have yet to start with the concerts and conventions that will draw some really big crowds; Spark hasn't even opened and Union Station is yet to be renovated; the landscaping is not even close to mature. So much upside.

All this makes me very happy every time I go down there and it's fun to think about the future when the west side of the park is finally developed.

Gotta think the park would also spawn some condos/mixed use buildings on the borders to take advantage of the views/vendors in that area. As you said that whole west side up to Walker avenue has some tremendous potential. I hope we don't convert too much of it into parking.

The city has minimum height and other requirements for the land bordering the park.

It seems like the perfect place for mid-rise housing and hotels. Strawberry Fields enjoys an infinitely better location than the Wheeler District and I hope the quality of development is at least half as good.

What's interesting to me that there was lots of hand-wringing about the need for the park since it's so close to the Myriad Gardens. And that it was too basic to be of any real use.

And yet, you could argue that Scissortail Park is one of the great MAPS success stories. And it seems that will only be more the case when the lower section opens and directly connects downtown to the River and beyond.

There was lots and lots of bellyaching about Hargreaves (the park planners) but it turns out, they knew what they were doing.

I'm actually surprised by the success of the park and we are really just getting started. Besides the Lower Park we have yet to start with the concerts and conventions that will draw some really big crowds; Spark hasn't even opened and Union Station is yet to be renovated; the landscaping is not even close to mature. So much upside.

All this makes me very happy every time I go down there and it's fun to think about the future when the west side of the park is finally developed.

Absolutely right. My wife and I visit the park far more often than we thought we would. It's just a great place to take a walk and there's almost always an interesting event going on there. Last weekend we went to the Unite the People Powwow and that was fantastic. The park is only going to get better as the landscaping matures.

Speaking of walking, press release:

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

The Oklahoma City-County Health Department is partnering with Scissortail Park’s Walking Club and encouraging residents to put on their walking shoes and take to the park’s paved trails each week.

The club meets every Thursday at 9 a.m. and starts its walk at the boathouse on the Park’s west side. Walkers are invited to bring their leashed pets and strollers. Participation is free and the Scissortail Park Foundation plans to purchase t-shirts and other goodies for participants. (Details below about media event on Thursday.)

OCCHD has previously participated in events that took place within the Park, but this is the first time that the agency has partnered with one of the Park’s activities.

“Since it’s opening in 2019, Scissortail Park has truly become a place for everyone, which aligns perfectly with the work that we do in public health,” said Dr. Patrick McGough, OCCHD CEO. “Walking has many incredible benefits that could help prevent future medical issues, so we are hoping to see participants from across the county.”

The club launched in May and is now up to walking two miles with plans to go farther. But people can walk as far or as short as they want at each club meeting.

Besides walking, the club provides an extra benefit since it’s a group exercise program. People are more likely to show up to group classes than exercising alone because classmates and the instructor expect them to be there. Group classes can also be motivational since participants may push themselves to walk faster than if they were walking by themselves.

“We are always thrilled when a new partner recognizes the value we bring to the community as a site that promotes health,” said Maureen Heffernan, CEO of Scissortail Park and Myriad Botanical Gardens. “We value the knowledge that the health department will bring to this program. Make the walking club a regular date on your calendar to come out and walk in our beautiful Park. “

Every first Thursday of the month, OCCHD will have one of its program directors on site to discuss the agency’s work toward improving health outcomes across Oklahoma County, and how people can get involved. On June 3, OCCHD’s Total Wellness Supervisor Jennifer Like will discuss the free eight-week health and wellness program and when the next class will start.

Individuals are encouraged to sign up by visiting scissortailpark.org/calendar. Updates on the class will be posted on the park’s social media pages. Follow them @scissortailpark.

What's interesting to me that there was lots of hand-wringing about the need for the park since it's so close to the Myriad Gardens. And that it was too basic to be of any real use.

And yet, you could argue that Scissortail Park is one of the great MAPS success stories. And it seems that will only be more the case when the lower section opens and directly connects downtown to the River and beyond.

There was lots and lots of bellyaching about Hargreaves (the park planners) but it turns out, they knew what they were doing.

I'm actually surprised by the success of the park and we are really just getting started. Besides the Lower Park we have yet to start with the concerts and conventions that will draw some really big crowds; Spark hasn't even opened and Union Station is yet to be renovated; the landscaping is not even close to mature. So much upside.

All this makes me very happy every time I go down there and it's fun to think about the future when the west side of the park is finally developed.

The park is no doubt a success but the decision to level the trees is embarrassing. Apparently that was not the designers' idea, as they did no such thing with Gathering Place.

The little starter trees provide no shade and there are scant evergreens, making the park look like a barren wasteland during winter months. It's also just weird to have a "central park" with no mature trees.

For the record I do love that the park exists and go there literally every weekend for the farmers market.

^

The same was said about Centennial Park and within a matter of a few years, the new trees started to look great.

Look at the google maps photo on post #8 in this thread. There wasn't a whole lot of trees to begin with, mostly just a concrete/asphalt wasteland. Funny thing, the greatest concentration of trees was around that old I-40 off ramp where the Omni currently sits.

There are a lot more trees where the lower park sits, but even than there are more directly west of where the park is being build.

And, they are going out of their way to preserve the trees in the lower park.

Hargreaves has done a great job IMO.

Apparently that was not the designers' idea,.

it was absolutely the designers idea

One thing to remember about trees: left to their own devices they can grow pretty haphazardly. Here's a Google Streets image from 2015. Not one of those trees is remarkable.

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4600556,-97.5167077,3a,75y,335.84h,94.57t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sprWWUf6d4QhkzFCT0z3cGQ!2e0!5s2 0120801T000000!7i13312!8i6656

No doubt people walked all around this land before making a decision and I'm sure if they saw a tree that was something you could build around then they would have strongly considered.

The greatest mistake of this park is and always will be demoing the Film Exchange building instead of incorporating that into the park. They could have done restoration work on the East and South elevations since they contain the iconic architectural elements of the time period, then re-imagined the West and North elevations.

I'd've made the North elevation a "mural wall" maybe close out some windows or keep them in, but the mural would be commissioned either annually or bi-annually to keep a fresh element to the park.

Then I'd've blown out the West Elevation Wall and incorporated it in the park, could have even created a 3rd story that could be rented out for concerts with a more "VIP" experience. I don't think it would have had a dramatic impact on the Great Lawn.

The biggest negative I can imagine with it would have dealt would have been the view from the convention center. Given that the Film Exchange seemed to stay up for a while longer than the rest of the buildings in the area, I can only imagine it was a topic of conversation behind doors. I looked back through the threads and all of that was happening in the same 3-6 month period.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark060621a.jpg

on the ST IG they were planting trees in the lower park yesterday

on the ST IG they were planting trees in the lower park yesterday

I hope they survive the summer. They should wait until at least September.

I hope they survive the summer. They should wait until at least September.

Yeah, it's pretty much a no-brainer to not plant things in OK in Jun-Aug.

This project is being run by nationally-known landscape architects (Hargreaves).

I suspect they know what they're doing.

I'm sure the folks that planted the first batch of trees along the boulevard that almost immediately died were also experts :-P

^

That was a city/odot project not a MAPS project where they hired and paid a lot of money to a big landscape architecture firm.

Also, the boulevard is treated just like any other city maintenance, which is to say poorly. Scissortail is endowed by millions for maintenance and programming, just like the Myriad Gardens. How many dead trees do you see in those parks?

Not an apt comparison.

Plus the entire park has an irrigation system, water is the answer to keeping things alive in this state.

Plus the entire park has an irrigation system, water is the answer to keeping things alive in this state.

Did not know that (guess I didn't pay 100% attention during this project :)), but yeah, that'll be the key to keeping the newly planted stuff alive in the nasty days and weeks ahead.

^

That was a city/odot project not a MAPS project where they hired and paid a lot of money to a big landscape architecture firm.

Also, the boulevard is treated just like any other city maintenance, which is to say poorly. Scissortail is endowed by millions for maintenance and programming, just like the Myriad Gardens. How many dead trees do you see in those parks?

Not an apt comparison.

I know, that's why I made the tongue in cheek face

The park is no doubt a success but the decision to level the trees is embarrassing. Apparently that was not the designers' idea, as they did no such thing with Gathering Place.

The little starter trees provide no shade and there are scant evergreens, making the park look like a barren wasteland during winter months. It's also just weird to have a "central park" with no mature trees.

For the record I do love that the park exists and go there literally every weekend for the farmers market.

I have literally never seen a post of yours where you aren't complaining or criticizing

He's not wrong tho

Criticism can be used constructively. Oklahoma City is getting there. Time to criticize is during the design stages of development where at least our leaders will have a chance to reconsider.

Get involved by getting to know you city council representative.

Looks like all the South Robinson-facing buildings across the street from the park between SW 13th and SW 14th are being proposed for demolition this week with no further plans for the land.

16935

I don't know if any of these buildings were "worth saving" (arbitrary definition I realize) or not, but I'll never understand the hurry to demolish when we can just wait for the timing to take care of itself. At various points in history no eyes would have been batted at the demolition of old run down places like the service station on NWC 10/Hudson (Sunset), the garage at what is now Barrios etc, or Social Capital, and the list goes on. The interesting/creative things people come up with to do with old buidings is worth the wait IMO instead of this being empty land/makeshift surface parking for the next decade.

A more recent example is what is now Fair Weather Brewery, which has gone into some very similar kinds of structures that no one would have cared about being demolished at any time in the recent past.

16936

16935

I don't know if any of these buildings were "worth saving" (arbitrary definition I realize) or not, but I'll never understand the hurry to demolish when we can just wait for the timing to take care of itself. At various points in history no eyes would have been batted at the demolition of old run down places like the service station on NWC 10/Hudson (Sunset), the garage at what is now Barrios etc, or Social Capital, and the list goes on. The interesting/creative things people come up with to do with old buidings is worth the wait IMO instead of this being empty land/makeshift surface parking for the next decade.

A more recent example is what is now Fair Weather Brewery, which has gone into some very similar kinds of structures that no one would have cared about being demolished at any time in the recent past.

16936

Isn't a fair amount of this salvage and auto shop area that could have extensive ground clean-up required? If so, wouldn't that make salvaging the buildings more difficult and expensive?

Doesn't cleanup have to occur whether or not the buildings are demolished?

I don't see any strong reason to save these buildings. Some are value and purpose built shop type metal buildings. While one might be a post war era brick building that might have been more tailored for retail space. It is likely built on cracked and thin concrete, with a wood inner structure that is termite weakened; a leaky roof that needs total replacement; with ancient wiring that has been stripped of any valuable content and collapsed plumbing. I'm guessing the property owners pay higher taxes because there are existing structures; neither the city or the property owners see rehabilitation value within any time frame, and the risk of occupation by homeless squatters suggest they will be burned down within a year.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail070221a.jpg

It’s honestly hard to remember life before scissortail park nowadays. It has very quickly become such an integral part of OKC; truly a beautiful hub of multi-use activities and enjoyment on a scale that was almost a pipe dream back in the early 2000s.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark070221a.jpg

Thanks Pete,

Those building should have been demolished at the start of building the upper park portion.

Sissyail was amazing tonight. God bless America.

Look at all of those trees that were felled in the making of the park.

Look at all of those trees that were felled in the making of the park.

Umm... the second picture is of the lower park.

Just saw that Drive-By Truckers will be the headliner for the Second Anniversary concert on 9/24.

Interesting choice politically because they have been very vocal about the last 4 years and their last two albums have been a lot more politically focused....... On the plus side it might make it easier for me to fight my way to the front of the stage. ;)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark071821a.jpg

Glad you posted that, meant to say earlier that I rode by here last week and there were sidewalks going in.

In my dream world, the lower park would extend all the way to Walker, and the soccer stadium would go here.

Gotta say that would be a way cool thing to see for a lot of different reasons...

In my dream world, the lower park would extend all the way to Walker, and the soccer stadium would go here.

I wonder why this isn't a possibility? Is it just simply not enough space?

I wonder why this isn't a possibility? Is it just simply not enough space?

Would be very, very expensive and time-consuming to buy those properties, especially now that the park is in.

There was no money in MAPS3 earmarked for that and with MAPS4 there wouldn't be nearly enough.

Does anyone know off the top of their head what type of grass they planted for the great lawn? During pride, I was impressed with how well it seemed to be holding up to the traffic and the heat. Definitely did not look like your standard Bermuda though and I would assume there's not nearly enough shade for it to be fescue, unless it's some special variety.

^

Maybe ryegrass?

Does anyone know off the top of their head what type of grass they planted for the great lawn? During pride, I was impressed with how well it seemed to be holding up to the traffic and the heat. Definitely did not look like your standard Bermuda though and I would assume there's not nearly enough shade for it to be fescue, unless it's some special variety.

It's a Bermuda hybrid developed at OSU known as Patriot Bermuda

Awesome - thanks! It didn't seem nearly dense enough to be any type of "standard" Bermuda, but after a few minutes of reading up on it, makes sense.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark072521a.jpg

I really like that pedestrian bridge less and less every time I see it. Last I went on it not long ago it still looked like it needed fixed in some areas.

it gets graffitied on a lot and then there's all the locks people put on it. leaving the side-wood in place when the decking was repaired looks janky IMO. looks beautiful at night tho...

Should they incorporate the wooded corner parcel into the park as well? It will take years to grow those trees.

not to be a fun hater, but they really need to remove the locks on the bridge and keep removing them to discourage more. I love the idea but the weight it adds will eventually be an issue on those side panels. much the same way the Pont des Arts in Paris had issues. I'm die hard romantic and kind of love everything about it until i had read the story of Pont des arts.

They do get cut down, how often - that I am not sure. But there used to be way more than there is now.

The issue could be remedied by simply replacing the current slatted mesh fencing with something that has larger openings and more material between each perforation. My guess is the cost of sending someone out with some bolt cutters and a bucket every month is cheaper than replacing fencing.

Can't get many cheap locks around this. Although, I will admit it will make the bridge much more claustrophobic feeling.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/30/c3/44/30c34467604c20a97aae8837a3c3924f.jpg

I wish they had replaced the wooden panels along the walkway walls when they replaced the walkway itself, it kind of still looks a bit trashy.

Two acres next to the lower park is on the market.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/320-SW-13th-St-Oklahoma-City-OK-73109/21883933_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

Two acres next to the lower park is on the market.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/320-SW-13th-St-Oklahoma-City-OK-73109/21883933_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare

Pricey!

I wonder how much the square of shame will sell for. . .

It's a little concerning that it is only listed on Zillow and not Loopnet or some other commercial real estate listing site. I know CoStar charges an arm and a leg, but the amount of marketing exposure this tract will get doesn't make me super confident in the list of potential buyers. At the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if Garrett & Co buys it up since they already own the park frontage (Manuel Perez Park) and other lots in the immediate area.

Also, depending on the actual size of the tract, $35-$40 per square foot isn't terribly pricy. People have paid more for less downtown.