Myriad Gardens

[FritterGirl]

The berms actually were much more pronounced with a steel wall facing the streets when it was first built. I'm not sure, Frittergirl may know better, but yes, I suspect the idea was to combat the wind.

Partially true!

The real intent of the berms was to create a sense of intimacy and quiet within the Gardens by cutting down on traffic noise. The original berms as constructed in 1977 were higher than they are now, but were deemed too high and were cut down circa 1980-80.

There will still be some berm structures in the new plans, but they will be greatly diminished overall, allowing for more street views and entry points throughout the Gardens. In addition, much of the curbing along the outside of the Gardens will be removed (particularly on the West side), allowing for completely open access from the Festival plaza area and Hudson.

As Steve very deftly pointed out in the article, the steering committee is working very hard to create a balance between creating a fully-realized "park" while maintaining the heavy botanical elements found in a traditional botanical gardens.

For all intents and purposes, we will continue to brand this as a Gardens - in fact, will play up the "Gardens" theme in our future branding and marketing. There will also be no name change as has earlier been mentioned. The Myriad Botanical Gardens will remain the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

A few points of clarification regarding the article:

Dog Park:This will NOT be a dog park in the traditional sense, a la PAW Park at Lake Hefner, which spans several acres and has its own large/small dog enclosures. This will be a smaller, enclosed dog relief area with its own unique entry point. It will be available to visitors who need a space for dogs to take care of business and get a bit of exercise. There is still ongoing discussion as to whether dogs will be allowed in the remainder of the Gardens.

Childrens' Area: While the area will have what can be deemed as "traditional" play elements, the intent of this area is to create a botanical discovery or sensory garden, where children can learn about the natural world and ecology. See the Atlanta Botanical Gardens for an idea of the general concepts under consideration. (They also have a really cool website!)

Keep in mind, what is being presented at this juncture are concepts and ideas that the committee has agreed upon. Several details of these structures are still under discussion. Final plans will not be realized for several more weeks.

And for the love of all things sacred, please don't call the Crystal Bridge "the TUBE!!!!!!!!"

[phinzup]

Partially true!


And for the love of all things sacred, please don't call the Crystal Bridge "the TUBE!!!!!!!!"

For my money, calling it the "tube' is being very nice. Never been in it, never will be in it. Too many historical properties were destroyed so we could have a tube!

Urban renewal was a disaster, IMO.

[kevinpate]

but, but, but, it's a really nice tube!

And it's lovely inside the tube too.

All hail the tube!

Hmmm, wonder if Steve could finagle a second webcam and mount it on the tiipytop of the north end of the tube once the risers start going up across the way.

[Patrick]

For my money, calling it the "tube' is being very nice. Never been in it, never will be in it. Too many historical properties were destroyed so we could have a tube!

Urban renewal was a disaster, IMO.

In all honesty, the Crystal Bridge is a pretty nice facility and one of the city's better tourist attractions. And in all honesty most of the structures that were where Myriad Gardens is now weren't very significant. Urban Renewal had its negatives but it wasn't all bad. A lot of the structures removed by Urban Renewal were pretty blighted at the end of their lives. All people seem to remember is what these structures were like in their hey day. Take The Criterion Theatre for example, it may had been nice at one time (those are the only pictures most see of it) but when it was removed it was pretty run down and deteriorating. Just look at the shape the Belle Isle Powerplant was in when it was removed. Many downtown buildings were in similar conditions.

[ronronnie1]

For my money, calling it the "tube' is being very nice. Never been in it, never will be in it. Too many historical properties were destroyed so we could have a tube!

Urban renewal was a disaster, IMO.

Yes, I'd much rather have the Biltmore highrise and that whole block of buildings back then have that stupid tube thing.

[Steve]

For my money, calling it the "tube' is being very nice. Never been in it, never will be in it. Too many historical properties were destroyed so we could have a tube!

Urban renewal was a disaster, IMO.

Forgive me, but this is a comment that falls more into urban mythology than factual history. I don't blame you for thinking this - it's what I was raised to believe as well.
Many sins can be pinned to the legacy of Urban Renewal - the destruction of the Baum Building, the Warner theater and Criterion were needless travesties where structures of far less consequence were built in their place.
BUT.....
I don't know of any significant historic properties torn down to make way for the Myriad Gardens. The only truly historic property on that block was the Biltmore (the rest of it was low-rise used furniture stores and pawn shops). Drawings by I.M. Pei called for the Biltmore to be an integral part of the gardens. You can see evidence of this in my book OKC Second Time Around. The Biltmore was a victim of being owned by out-of-state interests who gave up on it being a viable ongoing business.
After much research into this matter, I will tell you that even today renovation of such a structure, with low floor to ceiling heights and reinforced concrete construction, would be very very daunting and expensive. And should it have survived, I could argue the odds would have higher against the Skirvin being revived (split up resources, the Skirvin wouldn't have been so unique, etc).
I say all this to argue the following: the Crystal Bridge, in my opinion as a historian of downtown, is one of Urban Renewal's triumphs, and not a failure. I don't think it's fair to let Urban Renewal's sins cast a shadow on this iconic landmark's legacy or its long-term potential.

[metro]

For my money, calling it the "tube' is being very nice. Never been in it, never will be in it. Too many historical properties were destroyed so we could have a tube!

Urban renewal was a disaster, IMO.

That's the good ole boy mindset that lead to things like Urban Renewal, etc. We all agree Urban Renewal was a disaster for Oklahoma City, and most American cities for that matter. No one is debating that. That isn't a reason not to support the amenties we do have as a city. Those structures wore torn down because they had fallen into disrepair for many years, and no one cared enough about them to save them. If everyone had this attitude towards the Myriad Gardens, would the same be done, and just have a vacant park downtown? It's already vacant enough almost any day of the week. Thankfully, Devon is generous enough to revive and overhaul the park.

Forgive me, but this is a comment that falls more into urban mythology than factual history. I don't blame you for thinking this - it's what I was raised to believe as well.
Many sins can be pinned to the legacy of Urban Renewal - the destruction of the Baum Building, the Warner theater and Criterion were needless travesties where structures of far less consequence were built in their place.
BUT.....
I don't know of any significant historic properties torn down to make way for the Myriad Gardens. The only truly historic property on that block was the Biltmore (the rest of it was low-rise used furniture stores and pawn shops). Drawings by I.M. Pei called for the Biltmore to be an integral part of the gardens. You can see evidence of this in my book OKC Second Time Around. The Biltmore was a victim of being owned by out-of-state interests who gave up on it being a viable ongoing business.
After much research into this matter, I will tell you that even today renovation of such a structure, with low floor to ceiling heights and reinforced concrete construction, would be very very daunting and expensive. And should it have survived, I could argue the odds would have higher against the Skirvin being revived (split up resources, the Skirvin wouldn't have been so unique, etc).
I say all this to argue the following: the Crystal Bridge, in my opinion as a historian of downtown, is one of Urban Renewal's triumphs, and not a failure. I don't think it's fair to let Urban Renewal's sins cast a shadow on this iconic landmark's legacy or its long-term potential.

Exactly!

[warreng88]

Festival of the Arts brings peak at future
BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: April 13, 2010

A visit to the annual Spring Festival of the Arts later this month might involve a bit more pain than usual. The parking usually enjoyed by visitors no longer exists because of construction of the new Devon Energy headquarters across the street from the festival’s home at the Myriad Gardens.

But those who take the time to find alternate parking places will get the chance to see the festival one more time before it changes forever.

And change is definitely coming.

Read the rest of Steve's article at:

NewsOK

[warreng88]

Project 180 starts in Myriad Gardens
BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: April 29, 2010

Allan Storjohann’s office is about to disappear. Things are being torn up all around him. And he’s happy.

Oklahoma City, get ready — Project 180 has officially gotten under way. And Storjohann, manager at the Myriad Gardens, is only the first of thousands of downtown workers who will find themselves inconvenienced during the ensuing three-year-long downtown makeover. After hosting the Festival of the Arts last week, the gardens and the Crystal Bridge were shut down for a $38 million makeover.

Read the rest of Steve's article at:
NewsOK

[Architect2010]

The Office of James Burnett's website features some new renderings, which you can visit here. I am extremely impressed. Can't wait. Also, the site has details about the Devon Park if you're interested.

[progressiveboy]

The Office of James Burnett's website feature some new renderings, which you can visit here.

I am extremely impressed. Can't wait. Also, the site has details about the Devon Park if you're interested.

Excellent renderings!! This will raise the bar for OKC! With the impressive Devon tower and the gardens who needs Dallas? (lol).

[Urban Pioneer]

The Office of James Burnett's website features some new renderings, which you can visit here. I am extremely impressed. Can't wait. Also, the site has details about the Devon Park if you're interested.

The fountain is quite beautiful. Everything about it is quite extraordinary and incredibly useful.

The labyrinth makes me laugh though. I am sure that there will be some people terrified to go near it at night. Imagine "The Shining" meets "The Out of Towners", Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis at night in Central Park, NY. lol One incident out there and the hedge trimmers are coming out! lol

[Plutonic Panda]

Nice photo from Oklahoma Tourism's Facebook page.



- https://www.facebook.com/oklahomatod...859864/?type=1

[Plutonic Panda]

48 Injured Trees Will Be Uprooted At OKC's Myriad Gardens - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

[HOT ROD]

OK folks, here's your chance to vote for your favourite urban park again!

OKC received honors as the world's best urban park last year (beating out the likes of Chicago's world class Millennium Park), now you can help MGB by voting for Oklahoma City's urban oasis in the USA Today Best City Park for the 10Best Reader's Choice award.

Use your American right to help spread the word about Oklahoma City's rise, VOTE for Oklahoma City's urban park today!

I approve this message and so does the lovely people who curate MGB. I am a not-affiliated OKC expat and voter who loves and cares about Oklahoma City and its Renaissance. I paid for this message and wrote it using Pete's fabulous Oklahoma City forum. I believe Any and all awards should be pursued every time to help spread the word that Oklahoma City IS a great city with plenty of world-class civic offerings that can compete on the national stage. OK, thanks for reading all of this lawyer talk! Lol.