Myriad Gardens

[Pete]

Thanks for those photos!

You can see that the south entrance to the crystal bridge is nearing completion and that they have put out tables and chairs on the patio area outside the cafe-to-be.

Looks like the whole project is getting close to being wrapped up.

[ljbab728]

Speaking of the cafe-to-be, are there any updates about what's going on with that?

[bombermwc]

Definitely cool...and that water feature....WOW! I can't wait for the plants to fill in and see a spring in a few years!

[soonerguru]

That water feature is utterly fantastic with the LED lighting, and extremely cool without.

[Larry OKC]

Where are those pics taken from? At first I figured the Devon tower but since the Tower is visible in the pics...LOL

[Bellaboo]

Had to be a plane or copter i suppose.

[Larry OKC]

Amazingly clear/focused, just presumed from a stationary vantage point.

[bombermwc]

Maybe it was from the Farmer's Blimp when it was in town?

[Doug Loudenback]

Wherever they were taken from, the pics are outstanding.

[DelCamino]

Doug, you may already know, but in case you don't, the grand re-opening of the MBG is scheduled for October 15, at around 9 or 10 a.m. I've enjoyed your blog and know you have a section devoted to the Gardens. I'm guessing you could certainly snap some great new update photo's for that section. Hope you can make it.

[Doug Loudenback]

Thanks, DelCamino. No, I wasn't aware of the grand re-opening. If health permits, I'll be there.

[Dustin]

Found this on YT.. From August

[FritterGirl]

You can visit www.okcfestivalonthegreen.com for more information.

Entertainment and activities all day long.

[Pete]

Fritter, does this mean all the work in the gardens -- apart from finishing the cafe -- will be complete by Oct. 15th?

[dankrutka]

Wow. That's pretty impressive opening day. I'm surprised they got a name as big as Pat Green to play...

[FritterGirl]

The architectural structures are largely complete, as are the outdoor botanical areas. They are still fine-tuning, however, especially in the planting areas, as the drought and sustained high temperatures really took their toll.

I wouldn't say they are 100% there, but about 97% with a few tweaks still to go.

[russellc]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/okcpics/6225472150/










Does anyone know when they are going to bring the koi back?

[Pete]

Ton of great new photos on the City of OKC's flickr site, starting with the new south entrance to the Crystal Bridge:


September 2011 by cityofokc, on Flickr

Cafe & Plaza:


September 2011 by cityofokc, on Flickr


September 2011 by cityofokc, on Flickr


September 2011 by cityofokc, on Flickr


And from the What City Is This???? file:

September 2011 by cityofokc, on Flickr

[FritterGirl]

Great shots, Russell!

It's going to be a few more weeks or so before the koi are back. Because of ongoing issues with the natural lake water and water table (thanks, drought), the lake has been fed using city water, which would not be viable for the fish.

Gardens Management is working with the City's fisheries biologist to monitor the water levels and will releae the koi when they are certain that the water will be able to sustain the koi.

[Dustin]

KFOR is doing a special on the gardens at 5:00

[jn1780]

I saw one fish in there. Someone must have put it in there or its the "test fish" LOL

[CuatrodeMayo]

Great shots, Russell!

It's going to be a few more weeks or so before the koi are back. Because of ongoing issues with the natural lake water and water table (thanks, drought), the lake has been fed using city water, which would not be viable for the fish.

Heck, it's barely viable for me, amiright?

[warreng88]

Myriad Gardens renovations near completion
By Brianna Bailey
Journal Record
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 08:47 PM Monday, October 10, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY – A restaurant and seasonal ice rink that are part of the $42 million Myriad Gardens renovations are pegged for completion by this winter, Devon Energy Corp. Executive Chairman Larry Nichols said Monday.

City officials are in the process of interviewing operators to run a sit-down restaurant overlooking the ice skating rink, Nichols said.

While an initial search for a high-end restaurant operator for the site received only one response, it has been easier to create interest in the modern, glass-walled site now that construction is wrapping up, Nichols said.

“It was a terrible time to do it before; everything was torn up,” Nichols said. “Now they can envision what it’s going to look like.”

Deep Fork Restaurant Group submitted the only proposal in the city’s previous search for a restaurant operator. While Deep Fork’s vision for the site was for a casual burger restaurant, city officials have been seeking a more high-end concept.

The restaurant and ice rink are the only two components of the gardens that have yet to be completed.

Workers at the nearly completed Myriad Gardens were busy on Monday putting the finishing touches on a children’s splash fountain inspired by an Oklahoma thunderstorm. The fountain is next to the new children’s garden, which includes a hedge maze and climbing area.

Newly hired Myriad Gardens Foundation Executive Director Maureen Heffernan arrived in Oklahoma City two weeks ago to take on her new role.

Heffernan is examining ways to expand the gardens’ role in the city through new educational programs, as well as maintaining a high standard of quality for the landscaping there.

“I’m seeing how great it is now and how we can make it even better,” she said.

The Myriad Gardens renovations were funded by tax increment financing money generated by the construction of the $750 million Devon Energy Tower across the street from the new gardens. The gardens will celebrate a grand reopening on Saturday with the daylong Festival on the Green event. Sponsored by the Myriad Gardens Foundation and Devon Energy, the event will feature live music and children’s activities.

[OKCisOK4me]

My mom was in town this past weekend from Missouri. She used to take us to the Arts Festival when we were kids (she lived in Oklahoma until 1993) so I wanted to take her down this past weekend but Mother Nature decided to rain down!

[UnFrSaKn]

Myriad Gardens in Oklahoma City to celebrate grand reopening Saturday

The $42 million makeover of Myriad Gardens in Oklahoma City largely was funded through a tax increment finance district created by construction of the $750 million Devon Energy Center across the street.

BY STEVE LACKMEYER slackmeyer@opubco.com
Published: October 11, 2011

Visitors to Myriad Gardens during the past few months have only had a glimpse of the full makeover, but this weekend marks the official grand opening with the completion of a children's play area, a dog park and a plaza that will be home to an ice skating rink next month.