Yay Nay?

http://mattbridgesphoto.com/intranet/addphotos/central%20park24.jpg

I think it is a worthy alternative - as I said, a little different in style but very nicely done. I would be perfectly happy if the Central Park looks a lot like this (but with numerous shade trees).

http://mattbridgesphoto.com/intranet/addphotos/central%20park-21.bmp

I like this one better.

I like this one better.

Me too.

Yeah I've gotta say I really like this design. Personally I'd put in a ton more trees, especially near the lake. And I want a big, old-timey carousel in the middle of the park.

2822

And maybe some big stone lions.

2823

And maybe some big stone lions.

2823

These should be on both sides of each park entrance. It should tell visitors that they are entering some place special, like entering an outdoor room.

More trees and a children's area on the SE corner of the fountain plaza. (With the carousel or pavilion or whatever you want it to be)

http://mattbridgesphoto.com/intranet/addphotos/central%20park-212.bmp

Kerry, you're correct. When you have to go through openings like that you actually feel you are going somewhere instead of just walking.

More trees and a children's area on the SE corner of the fountain plaza. (With the carousel or pavilion or whatever you want it to be)

http://mattbridgesphoto.com/intranet/addphotos/central%20park-212.bmp

I really really really like this. And that blue thing in the middle is a big fountain? Yes please.

well done

I dig it, Catch22.

And I want a big, old-timey carousel in the middle of the park.

2822

If that's what you want then I would recommend going to the Subcommittee meeting or the next park public meeting and fighting for it. That Cynthia Lady seems to be a one woman band. I couldn't get a reading at the last Parks Subcommittee meeting whether she is getting any traction at all. They were respectful to her, but didn't indicate whether they are sharing her/your vision. Just say'in...

I like the idea too for kids and dates. The Ladys love the carousels from my experience. lol

Indeed - one lady spoke up about a carousel at the last Central Park public meeting. I think it could be a nice feature.

Crossroads Mall has a carousel that is certainly being underutilized.

Maybe we could get the ferris wheel donated too? It is in mothballs isn't it? What a great view it could provide of the river and downtown. That, a carousel, push cart vendors, a few street entertainers, a place for local artists to paint and show/sell their paintings, etc. and we would have a GREAT weekend activity area.

Maybe we could get the ferris wheel donated too? It is in mothballs isn't it? What a great view it could provide of the river and downtown. That, a carousel, push cart vendors, a few street entertainers, a place for local artists to paint and show/sell their paintings, etc. and we would have a GREAT weekend activity area.

Sounds like a nice idea, but I doubt that Humphreys is going to donate something that he paid $132,000 for to the city for the park.

Sounds like a nice idea, but I doubt that Humphreys is going to donate something that he paid $132,000 for to the city for the park.

Someone's gotta operate it ...
He could be making money off it vice paying for the storage.

He's in the storage business. Also, I would guess that wheel is intended for the development in Eufaula.

He purchased the Ferris Wheel in 2008 and said he plans to utilize it in OKC.

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The park would/could be a very cool place for it!

He's in the storage business. Also, I would guess that wheel is intended for the development in Eufaula.

No, it's intended for his DT OKC air park development.

Yay Nay?

http://mattbridgesphoto.com/intranet/addphotos/central%20park24.jpg

What is different in your design from the Hargreaves design?

What is different in your design from the Hargreaves design?

Mine focuses on bringing people into the park. Interact with the fountain, the lake, etc. Or if they choose have the option to wander through the open spaces. While also providing access across the park if you are not interested in visiting the park, you can still get across it on somewhat of a grid.

From my first impression the Hargreaves design is intended to bypass the park and flow people to the SkyDance Bridge. The walkways push people to the east side and leads them parallel to the park.

That would be my comparison.

Edit: See Post #390 for what I would consider the better version. But I am open to criticism...

The ability to traverse the park from multiple entry points is huge. The streets that dead-end into the park will also have pleasant terminal views of the park entrances. Catch22's design allows for a greater range of users which will keep the park more active for more hours in the day, and night.

Mine focuses on bringing people into the park. Interact with the fountain, the lake, etc. Or if they choose have the option to wander through the open spaces. While also providing access across the park if you are not interested in visiting the park, you can still get across it on somewhat of a grid.

From my first impression the Hargreaves design is intended to bypass the park and flow people to the SkyDance Bridge. The walkways push people to the east side and leads them parallel to the park.

That would be my comparison.

Edit: See Post #390 for what I would consider the better version. But I am open to criticism...

I think edge interaction is more important.

I would like to see the buildings facing Robinson restored and repurposed as gift shops, cafes, boat rental stands, etc.., with the east facing facades knocked out (just keep the building shells and as much of the old brick, windows, etc as possible that faces Robinson) and opened up with a massive geodesic dome or soundscape system over a grand lawn (a la Millennium Park, but not as grand). Here's something that was done in a Cleveland suburb for under $5 million:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Russell_Township-ASM_Headquarters_%26_Geodesic_Dome_%28OHPTC%29_%28 5912348229%29.jpg
This perfectly illustrates a building opening up into a large outdoor domed-tent structure that makes a very unique outdoors space

Then the widest and most impressive walkway needs to be a diagonal that leads to the NE corner of the park, with the intersection of Robinson and the Boulevard. It would probably be difficult to find a way to get that in with a geodesic domed-tent great lawn that is connected to a preserved Robinson streetwall.

Then the SW quadrant of the park should be a massive pond as Hargreaves has already drawn up. Not only is this a good transition in terms of activity programming, but it also provides incredible sight lines triangulating between the Union Station and SkyDance Bridge, the skyline, and the domed lawn.

No, it's intended for his DT OKC air park development.
That was the tepid impression dragged out of him years ago when the air park development was actively being pursued, though I'm not certain he ever specifically said it in so many words. But times (and his development focus) have changed. Again, it's a guess on my part.

Keeping some of the buildings along Robinson will hide the park from certain street level views. You need to make it clear "this is a park". Mine still does allow for future interaction to be programmed. But I think it is imperative, that as a Central Park. You need a focal point in the center of the park. Not a lake or pavilion, but a fountain, a large piece of public art or something like that. And you need to encourage movement towards that. Which will lead them by other areas, or in line of sight to other areas to encourage them to visit those places.

The fountain will get people on the north part of the park to move towards the center, from there they will find the Skydance bridge, Union Station, the lake, and other programming that could be included. You need to keep the programming towards the southern end of the park and the open areas on the north end. MBG is heavily programmed, so you need the open areas closer to it. Effectively creating a sandwich with the open space accessible to both programmed areas.

If you keep the buildings along Robinson that are on park property where will the backs of the buildings be - facing the street or facing the park?

If you keep the buildings along Robinson that are on park property where will the backs of the buildings be - facing the street or facing the park?

I really do not think it is practical to keep those buildings on the perimeter for that reason and the ones stated by catch22. Normally I would prefer to repurpose buildings like them but I do not think it is appropriate in this case.

There are really only two buildings worth a damn in that entire park area, on Robinson between 4th and 5th. I'm not sure how easy it is to incorporate those into the structure of the park without making them a major component and spending a lot of money to rehabilitate them.

Those buildings have an interesting history, and I have been racking my brain for months to try to figure out how they could be re-purposed...to no avail.

Would someone please help me move the quonset hut somewhere else? I've always wanted to turn a quonset hut into a house.

Also, not on topic, but keep in mind that final steps of the Voluntary Cleanup Program were completed for the Downtown Airpark property very recently. I know it seems as though it has been sitting for awhile with no action, but the regulatory wheels have been spinning.

Keeping some of the buildings along Robinson will hide the park from certain street level views. You need to make it clear "this is a park". Mine still does allow for future interaction to be programmed. But I think it is imperative, that as a Central Park. You need a focal point in the center of the park. Not a lake or pavilion, but a fountain, a large piece of public art or something like that. And you need to encourage movement towards that. Which will lead them by other areas, or in line of sight to other areas to encourage them to visit those places.

The fountain will get people on the north part of the park to move towards the center, from there they will find the Skydance bridge, Union Station, the lake, and other programming that could be included. You need to keep the programming towards the southern end of the park and the open areas on the north end. MBG is heavily programmed, so you need the open areas closer to it. Effectively creating a sandwich with the open space accessible to both programmed areas.

That's why you knock out much of the buildings, or maybe even just use one. I clearly said that you wouldn't be keeping much more than the north and south-facing facades - or just enough to utilize the existing landscape to add a strong sense of "Oklahoma City." Otherwise I get the sense that you guys are just wanting a park that could be located ANYWHERE with no unique local identifiers whatsoever.

The way your local retreats from Union Station also hides it behind trees, whereas I think it should be right on the lake, maybe even have a patio deck overlooking the lake.

I never said my plan was perfect or has the answers. Mine was simply what I would like to see in our park. I suggest you draw up a plan as well. We need more public input as I think all 3 Hargreaves designs were very underwhelming.

He doesn't draw plans..he just critiques.

I draw plans for a living. Doh

Well lets see your idea on "paper". I can do it you can do it too.

This is juvenile, I'm not competing with you, stop acting as if I am. But okay I can just make some minor changes to the graphic you posted

No I'm not being juvenile. I'm more than happy to modify my graphic (and you can see where I have numerous times). The reason I am not offering to with you would be because the way you are approaching it. If you want people to work with you, you have to be a little less condescending.

I draw plans for a living. Doh

DOH! apparently not for the city where you came from.

I draw plans for a living. Doh

Can you point us to some examples of your paid work?

If you want people to work with you, you have to be a little less condescending.

Spartan can't do that. Condescending is the only mode he has.

2841

Put in a disc golf course

Put in a disc golf course

Some how, I knew this request was coming.......lol

Put in a disc golf course

Put it in the south leg of the park. Need a reason to cross the new barrier and I think it would help.

I'm not sure Central Park is big enough for a frisbee golf course, unless you don't mind people walking between you and the basket, and they don't mind someone who can't through a frisbee straight.

I could see a disc golf course along the river. Very similar to riverside in Tulsa.

I'm not sure how far the boathouse district extends along the river through what will be the central park. If I walk down to the river through the park (once all this is complete) will I run into boathouse stuff? I don't think so. I think it would be neat if we had a boardwalk along the north edge of the river. It could extend from the boathouse area and go west to the park, and then as much further west as we wanted it to go. Keep it open from like April to October, something like that. A wooden boardwalk similar to what you'd find along the ocean in states that have a thing like that. A wooden walkway for about a half mile, with hot dogs and funnel cakes, a ferris wheel and maybe a few rides. Market it as a place to take the kids on Saturday afternoon. I'm not looking to have another canal area like Bricktown, looking more at a persistent state fair vibe. The southernmost portion of the park could open up to the boardwalk.

i could see a disc golf course along the river. Very similar to riverside in tulsa.

b i n g o !

b i n g o !

No, THAT is one of the activities planned for the MAPS 3 Senior Centers...

As long as they make it wider than riverside in Tulsa I'm up for that

No, THAT is one of the activities planned for the MAPS 3 Senior Centers...

What? Pet B I N G O Day?

I have heard of regular Bingo and even a dog called Bingo but what is "Pet Bingo"?

Just referring to a friendly dog named Bingo that they take to the senior activities center so all the old people can pet him. Kinda got off topic. Back to it...

:)

Screw it, we should just go wild with this park. Let's do something nobody else has. Let's make it look like a YES album cover.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_makjtuuSkH1r6fpy1o1_1280.jpg

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_map46ykemV1ru8ypho9_1280.jpg

Anyone know how to make floating rocks?

Screw it, we should just go wild with this park. Let's do something nobody else has. Let's make it look like a YES album cover.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_makjtuuSkH1r6fpy1o1_1280.jpg

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_map46ykemV1ru8ypho9_1280.jpg

Anyone know how to make floating rocks?

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catch22, I like your plan but have a few suggestions:
1. Terminate the northeast sidewalk from the intersection of the Blvd. & Robinson into the fountain plaza. That could be a nice landscaped pathway with one terminus the Chesapeake Center's curtain wall and the other the fountain plaza.
2. When I see your fountain plaza I think something BIG. Like the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago.
3. I like how the northern section adjacent to the Blvd. is more open space and the southern section is more natural, at least that's what it looks like.
4. I definitely think a large lake/pond should be incorporated into the park somewhere, maybe even larger than what you have shown.
5. The lake should be in a more "natural" setting surrounded by lots of native trees and even some man-made hills that would offer amazing skyline views.
6. Extend the lake closer to Union Station so you can get a reflection of the historic station in the water.

catch22, I like your plan but have a few suggestions:
1. Terminate the northeast sidewalk from the intersection of the Blvd. & Robinson into the fountain plaza. That could be a nice landscaped pathway with one terminus the Chesapeake Center's curtain wall and the other the fountain plaza.
2. When I see your fountain plaza I think something BIG. Like the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago.
3. I like how the northern section adjacent to the Blvd. is more open space and the southern section is more natural, at least that's what it looks like.
4. I definitely think a large lake/pond should be incorporated into the park somewhere, maybe even larger than what you have shown.
5. The lake should be in a more "natural" setting surrounded by lots of native trees and even some man-made hills that would offer amazing skyline views.
6. Extend the lake closer to Union Station so you can get a reflection of the historic station in the water.

Sorry I just now saw your reply, I'll draw something up soon.

Wasn't there supposed to be some sort of public meeting regarding the Downtown Park tomorrow night? I put it in my schedule when I first heard about it, but now I can't seem to find information about it anywhere. If I remember correctly, it was supposed to be a meeting in which they would unveil a synthesis plan after hearing public comments on the three alternatives.

6PM Thursday at the downtown library they are presenting their latest park design. Lets see if they designed the Historic Film buildings to be destroyed.