Great photo Lazio!

Any comments about the festival and the lighting event? Looks like quite the crowd there.


KOCO has a nice (but unfortunately, *very* brief) video about this here:

Oklahoma River lighting up Saturday night - Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com (http://www.koco.com/Oklahoma-River-lighting-up-Saturday-night/-/9844716/20771366/-/8xfdaxz/-/index.html)

http://www.koco.com/image/view/-/20771368/highRes/2/-/a59cvrz/-/img-Oklahoma-River-lighting-up-Saturday-night.jpg

Also came across this great pic from the Stars and Stripes Festival on Saturday:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/993054_351924874934852_529949776_n.jpg (http://ow.ly/i/2u5oS)

Those are participants in the Riversport Challenge 500m Kayak and 5k run.

Pardon my ignorance, but what part of the river is this (with the waterfall and landscaping right up to the bank)?

Also came across this great pic from the Stars and Stripes Festival on Saturday:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/993054_351924874934852_529949776_n.jpg (http://ow.ly/i/2u5oS)

Those are participants in the Riversport Challenge 500m Kayak and 5k run.

Pardon my ignorance, but what part of the river is this (with the waterfall and landscaping right up to the bank)?

That is north and a little west of the Chesapeake Boathouse, the wall is the retaining wall for i40 and you can see the bridge under it to the Canal & Land Run park.

That is north and a little west of the Chesapeake Boathouse, the wall is the retaining wall for i40 and you can see the bridge under it to the Canal & Land Run park.

Ok, I thought that looked like the canal extension.

So the other side of that bridge would be this, right?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8579368728_d375bb30cd_b.jpg

(picture from March by OKCisOK4me)

Ok, I thought that looked like the canal extension.

So the other side of that bridge would be this, right?

They are taken from the same side of the i40 bridge about 250ft apart, it probably is on the other side of the pedestrian bridge/stream.

I would guess the photographer on the first shot is standing west/northwest of the Chesapeake boathouse where the sidewalk is closest to the river. The second photo is taken standing from where the Devon Cruisers dock in the half circle plaza north of the boathouse. The waterfall is in the second photo too, it is just off.

They are taken from the same side of the i40 bridge about 250ft apart, it probably is on the other side of the pedestrian bridge/stream.

I would guess the photographer on the first shot is standing west/northwest of the Chesapeake boathouse where the sidewalk is closest to the river. The second photo is taken standing from where the Devon Cruisers dock in the half circle plaza north of the boathouse. The waterfall is in the second photo too, it is just off.

I'm hopelessly confused now.

But not about your explanation. I can see how the first photo could be further down from the second. It's just that the first photo (with the kayakers) looks like the river, and the second one looks like the canal. So how they connect up is mysterious to me.

But that's not your fault. That's my ignorance. I just need to look up some more info on this and study some maps. Or better yet, just drive down there some free day and look at the damn thing myself.

I'm hopelessly confused now.

But not about your explanation. I can see how the first photo could be further down from the second. It's just that the first photo (with the kayakers) looks like the river, and the second one looks like the canal. So how they connect up is mysterious to me.

But that's not your fault. That's my ignorance. I just need to look up some more info on this and study some maps. Or better yet, just drive down there some free day and look at the damn thing myself.

It is the river's water but the naming what it is gets a little complicated, since to start with the river is actually a lake. This is not the main channel of the 'river' but a smaller stream that goes by the boathouse and meets with the canal (which is more of a pool).

I have never actually heard/seen a name for the part in the photo which had the manicured grounds and more expensive walls done around 2003, the new part with the more basic walls is called canal zone G since in the original plan there was some hope to put a lock in and allow the canal taxis transition between. Since this did not happen, it seems Canal Zone G should be called a river extension.

It would not surprise me if they eventually name it like it was a tributary of the river.

So is this little tributary going underneath I-40 and meeting up with the canal? Will there be pedestrian paths that go under I-40, linking that park with the boathouse area? (sorry if these have already been answered previously)

So is this little tributary going underneath I-40 and meeting up with the canal?

Yes



Will there be pedestrian paths that go under I-40, linking that park with the boathouse area? (sorry if these have already been answered previously)

Yes, there will be pedestrian/bike paths on both sides, the one on the north bank one is wider than the one on the south bank so a tram can be used to ferry people back and forth to parking at larger river events.

BTW - anyone notice how much better it looks with a structured wall vs. the current river bank?

So is this little tributary going underneath I-40 and meeting up with the canal? Will there be pedestrian paths that go under I-40, linking that park with the boathouse area? (sorry if these have already been answered previously)

It ends near the canal, but the waterways do not connect. They are at different elevations. There will be a switchback style walkway between the two water points.

Steve had a outstanding story on Oklahoma River Attractions this weekend in the paper.

Possible additions to the Oklahoma River were mentioned;
equine center with horse trails,
bicycle track (Velodrome),
Great Wolf Lodge,
train ride running between venues


Link: River Attraction: Oklahoma River is becoming a big draw for Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/river-attraction-oklahoma-river-is-becoming-a-big-draw-for-oklahoma-city/article/3857471)

the bike track is a dirt pump track ...

I love all the stuff happening out there.

Horses need barns, stables, and lots of care. I just don't see how that fits with the district. Makes perfect sense for the Stockyards. I love the water focus but if we add a lot more that isn't water focused, I think the boathouses and that programming could lose attraction as people opt for more adrenalin/thrill style 'rides'.

It's not that right now at all. Right now it is amazing. I just hope there is discussion amoung those responsible to maintain some kind of district identity with the water sports.

There was not any mention of possible locations for the equine portions. My take-away from the article is that the powers view the entire river from Meridan to Eastern as the River District.

The horse thing is not in the boathouse district, I believe they were saying somewhere near the stockyards on the north shore. Warning: I pay less attention to those parts of the riverfront redevelopment meetings.

BTW - anyone notice how much better it looks with a structured wall vs. the current river bank?

+1

Gotcha. Thanks for the clarifications. What confused me I guess was the mention in the article of renaming the Boathouse District. That fueled my concern.

What about the Adrenaline District, of which water sports is but one attraction. Maybe even add a cable water ski park.

hPJw9_nPo_s

Super excited that they're connecting the boathouse and bricktown. I was at the river festival last Friday and my group of friends wanted to walk up to bricktown but there wasn't an easy way to get there (other than walking across on Lincoln, which they didn't want to do haha).

Are you sure they are talking about changing the name, they also have the brandings for the services instead of the area that sometimes get worked into articles. All the new signage renderings still say Boathouse District, which those will likely be around for at least couple decades.

What about the Adrenaline District, of which water sports is but one attraction. Maybe even add a cable water ski park.

There is one not far down the river: Wake Zone Cable Park Oklahoma City (http://www.wakezone.co/)

There is one not far down the river: Wake Zone Cable Park Oklahoma City (http://www.wakezone.co/)

You know, I was thinking there was one over there somewhere but I couldn't remember where. They need to relocate (even if it takes some financial assistance from the city).

You know, I was thinking there was one over there somewhere but I couldn't remember where. They need to relocate (even if it takes some financial assistance from the city).

they just relocated to where they are now

You know, I was thinking there was one over there somewhere but I couldn't remember where. They need to relocate (even if it takes some financial assistance from the city).

There was one up just south of Guthrie for a few years but they closed shop last year.

There was one up just south of Guthrie for a few years but they closed shop last year.

same operation that moved to okc ..

Asked on MAPS3's Facebook page when the Windscreen was going to be put up, and they told me summer 2014.

https://www.facebook.com/MAPS3OKC/posts/548364975227705?comment_id=5078129&offset=0&total_comments=2&notif_t=feed_comment_reply

Speaking of the MAPS3 facebook page... (what a segue)... they've posted a nice photo gallery of last Saturday's Stars and Stripes Festival.

Here's a selection:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/421914_549114481819421_1322382336_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1044183_549120035152199_134640396_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/941188_549120198485516_1704902743_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1011883_549120438485492_517177421_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1000487_549120821818787_2125013685_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/942961_549121058485430_1046356718_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1044942_549121508485385_1218084776_n.jpg


Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.549114468486089.1073741826.148667761864097&type=1

We've come a long way. The city where my kids are growing up is not the same one where I grew up.

We've come a long way. The city where my kids are growing up is not the same one where I grew up.

Yep. And I suspect that we ain't seen nothing yet!

:rock_guit :dance:

We're in the early stages of a brand new city being created.

Ok, that's not true. That's going too far.

But then again, it kind of is true.

My shot of the river inlet north of I-40 from today.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5497/9233067237_0457cdc62d_b.jpg

Wife and I walked along the north bank of the river this morning. We were members of the old OKC Rowing club and rowed there when the club moved from Overholser to the river. Rowed as Chesapeake was being built. Haven't been in awhile after knee problems and job changes stopped the rowing. Anyhow, while it was nice but noticed two things, not big but still . . . The first was that the trails are fairly well landscaped and maintained but trees are sparse. None are planted close to the river itself like mom nature does. Compare this with Riverwalk in Tulsa. Lot's of trees and close to the river. More natural. Second, no toilets except in the boathouse area. The toilet next to Chesapeake required a key code to unlock. Obviously not public or tourist friendly. On the trails themselves, nothing except a bush or two if you were desperate. Okay for me but not the wife. Again compare with Riverwalk. Public restrooms every mile or two. OK river trails were nice but kind of sterile. That being said, lot's of bikers, runners and walker out this morning.

The toilet next to Chesapeake required a key code to unlock.

I heard a rumor this might be changing after the extension under i40 opens, it is currently operated by the River Cruses people and is being used for their patrons & staff but may be changing after their new ticket center by the canal opens.

That is a little crazy that there aren't water/bathroom stations along the trails. I wonder if they are concerned with homeless people using them as shelter or something? If not permanent structures, at least throw some portapotties along the way.

Drinking water (and comfort facilities) are incredibly scarce around Hefner which is also used extensively for excercize. You have to wonder what numskulls are planning this stuff.

I imagine there is a good reason for it, you'd have to think. Probably somewhere someone ruined it for everyone else.

Yep, every time I'm in town I run the circumference of Lake Hefner and once you get past Stars & Stripes Park heading clockwise, there is just one port-a-potty and I don't think any water fountains until you get back to the landing area.

So, something like six plus miles without anything.

I do alot of night fishing near the boat house and it is amazing how many gun shots I hear coming from the southside....

I worked for the OKC Parks Department for 29 years, the only reason there aren't restrooms and drinking fountains is vandilisim and repair/maintenance costs.

I worked for the OKC Parks Department for 29 years, the only reason there aren't restrooms and drinking fountains is vandilisim and repair/maintenance costs.

Other cities don't have these issues?

Other cities don't have these issues?

or are just more willing to pay the extra cost in maintaining and clearing vandalism

Yep, every time I'm in town I run the circumference of Lake Hefner and once you get past Stars & Stripes Park heading clockwise, there is just one port-a-potty and I don't think any water fountains until you get back to the landing area.

So, something like six plus miles without anything.

There are definitely no bathrooms, but for the average runner there is a water fountain around mile marker 9.0 (counter-clockwise) over by the OKCPD landing area just south of the golf course country club.

http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/138/mrzy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/138/mrzy.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/94/fvdn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/fvdn.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/20/rgdo.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/20/rgdo.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/89/gs4x.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/89/gs4x.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/94/uuv8.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/uuv8.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/62/rr2r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/62/rr2r.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/scaled/large/580/kpvu.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/580/kpvu.jpg/)

^ Flipping awesome.

Thanks so much Cooper!

Wonderful images.

I'd personally like to see some more trees planted along the banks for aesthetic purposes as well as for providing shade on hot summer days.

I'd personally like to see some more trees planted along the banks for aesthetic purposes as well as for providing shade on hot summer days.

It is not an accident that most of the trees planted since the river was filled are within a mile of the Chesapeake Boathouse, the Boathouse Foundation helped plant most of those trees that are along both banks of the river now. They have few trees between the boathouses and the shore is because that is functional space with a high premium to them, notice how around the Chesapeake boathouse they planted like fifty trees on the side they do not manage boats and like two out of the way on the side they do manage boats on, they practically can not have enough open riverside space for large events (they will even be loosing near half the open land they have used in the past for large events to new buildings). Nearer to the Devon/Central/OU boathouses it is far more likely they will be putting in more concrete step/terraces than trees, during large events there are people all along the north bank and having trees there would block the view of the race.

It is really great to see the river/OKC in Outside Magazine! Best Towns 2013: Oklahoma City | United States | OutsideOnline.com (http://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/north-america/united-states/Best-Towns-2013-Oklahoma-City.html)

This is not the type of magazine you would expect to see OKC in a short time ago.

Remember 2 years ago when OU finished raising funds for its boathouse?

Crickets.

After 12 years in the works, Leadership Oklahoma City’s gift to the City in recognition of its community work is about to rise. What began as a 25th Anniversary project to beautify Bicentennial Park is resulting in a spectacular artwork welcoming all to the Boathouse District, an area that did not exist On-the-truck.jpgwhen planning commenced.

Compass Rose, a work by artist Owen Morrel, arrived at the Boathouse District from its California fabrication site late last night, and installation begins immediately. If you’re downtown, go by the site throughout the week and watch Compass Rose emerge. It’s going to be big!

The long process was chaired by Stuart Graham, who was involved from the moment the Alumni Association first approved the project more than a decade ago. Stuart defines perseverance!

Mike Joseph joined the committee, secured the lead donor, and oversaw the Art Selection committee. Major funding for the project has been provided by Inasmuch Foundation. Additional donors include: Leadership Oklahoma City, Ad Astra Foundation, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Carl and Susan Edwards, The Robert and Blanche Gordon Family Donor Advised Fund, Stuart and Darsi Graham, MTM Recognition, Larry and Polly Nichols, Steve and Susan Raybourn, Records-Johnston Family Foundation Inc, James W. Sharrock, Carl and Beth Shortt, and the Simmons Foundation.

A dedication is planned for October 4 at 3 p.m.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/compassrose3.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/compassrose2.jpg

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

I went cycling along the river yesterday. For some reason the bridge over the new river inlet is closed once again, so I packed my bike up and went down to the Robinson Landing to ride from there. I did ride east along the north shore and discovered that even though it's somewhat of a construction zone still, you can walk/ride under I-40 toward the Bricktown Canal and that both sidewalks (the west side zig-zagging up toward the canal and the east one up toward the parking lot) are both finished.

So for any of you downtown residents that want that easy access to the river, it's available now!

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/9665497221_7d35706546_z.jpg

Via Facebook

https://sphotos-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1235207_10153167772410562_1753248476_n.jpg
"Artist Owen Morrel standing on his work by the Devon Boathouse"

https://sphotos-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1236569_10153168211590562_1860317538_n.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LMJLB0fDMA

The Landing links Bricktown, Oklahoma River | News OK (http://newsok.com/the-landing-links-bricktown-oklahoma-river/article/3883627)

I'm a little confused, though. Some parts of the article refer to it as "The Landing", and others as "Bricktown Landing". So what is the official name?

You know, if we got some of those amphibious vehicles they use for the Duck Tours in Seattle, they could drive up right out of the landing in then over into the canal!
:wink:

For the love of God, do we need Duck boats driving through downtown OKC, stopping in front of Flint's patio on a nice day, and then "You Can't Touch This" starts blaring through speakers? :)

For the love of God, do we need Duck boats driving through downtown OKC, stopping in front of Flint's patio on a nice day, and then "You Can't Touch This" starts blaring through speakers? :)

Don't forget "Y-M-C-A"... with the tour driver leading the group of seniors through the arm movements to spell out the letters...
:wink:

The Landing links Bricktown, Oklahoma River | News OK (http://newsok.com/the-landing-links-bricktown-oklahoma-river/article/3883627)

I'm a little confused, though. Some parts of the article refer to it as "The Landing", and others as "Bricktown Landing". So what is the official name?

You know, if we got some of those amphibious vehicles they use for the Duck Tours in Seattle, they could drive up right out of the landing in then over into the canal!
:wink:

I would guess the name is Bricktown Landing, to differentiate which stop it is. Meridian, Exchange and Regatta are the descriptors for the other landings.

For the love of God, do we need Duck boats driving through downtown OKC, stopping in front of Flint's patio on a nice day, and then "You Can't Touch This" starts blaring through speakers? :)

Don't forget "Y-M-C-A"... with the tour driver leading the group of seniors through the arm movements to spell out the letters...
:wink:
G.D. Earworms! Curse you pahdz and Praedura!

You think they'd put some trees between the canal and the landing. Just looks blaaaaaaaaah...

You think they'd put some trees between the canal and the landing. Just looks blaaaaaaaaah...

From the article...


The Landing will be landscaped with gardens, trees and benches, much like the canal, with decorative lighting accents and railings.

From the article...

That's good, I don't know how I missed that, lol.

Coming soon:

Oklahoma Regatta Festival « Oklahoma River Events (http://oklahomariverevents.org/oklahoma-regatta-festival)

This should be especially fun this year with the night events under the lights.

Oge Nightsprints « Oklahoma River Events (http://oklahomariverevents.org/oklahoma-regatta-festival/oge-nightsprints)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yDZ6Qkj-PgQ