The Myriad Gardens – What Would You Do With It?
OK, coffee talk time. The best posts involve you, the readers. You’ve traveled the world, or at the very least, you think you have because you’ve spent too much time either on the Internet or watching the Travel Channel.
So, what would you do to liven up the Myriad Gardens without diminishing the gardens?
I’ve long dreamed of creating a miniature version of NYC’s Bryant Park, truly a magical place that brings the community together. Below are some photos of Bryant Park – I challenge you to not just add your comments, but also email me at slackmeyer@oklahoman.com with any photos or images that might help illustrate your ideas.
Sure, we have fountains downtown. But not like this one.
Yes, we definitely need a Merry-Go-Round.
Why in the world are there no cafes or restaurants around to take in the view of the Myriad Gardens?
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Comments
Should have done this in one post…
I grew up in Kansas City, and I love seeing fountains everywhere. Oklahoma City should take this opportunity to put in some fountains, and let the kids (or kid-like adults) play in them in the summer months. Like an urban sprayground.
I like the idea of closing the street between the Cox Center and Myriad Gardens, and putting in a small carnival, with an old fashioned popcorn/cotton candy cart, a farris weel (the Santa Monica one), and a corousel. Something similar to Santa Monica Pier. But, this could be done on the Oklahoma River as well.
Oh they should totally rip of Shake Shack in Madison Square Park – all outdoor seating and lines out the wahzooo – {I will shamelessly admit that I usually only go when its raining or about to rain so I won’t have to fight the line – http://www.shakeshacknyc.com}. I think a simple restuarant like this would be nice just so everyone feels welcome – not just big spenders for those pricey restaurants. Also – in London the parks have all these chairs {I don’t know if you can rent them or the city just puts them out} but I think that would be nice as well so people will just want to lounge around.
Shake Shack
A good first step would be to spruce up the dilapidated and empty bridges and other space surrounding the Crystal Bridge inside the Myriad Gardens. How about expanding the lawn area to offer more regular outdoor concerts, movie showings, etc. Offer bistro tables with umbrellas throughout. I really like the restaurant/cafe idea. Something nice, but not too fancy.
Steve, Okay – got my coffee…
This may be contextually way out of place for Oklahoma City, but I’ve always been a fan of the Luxembourg Gardens in central Paris. it was one of my favorite spots to go when I lived there – and it was full of a variety of shaded spots, open lawn, and a wonderful variety of landscaping that achieved the sense of being open while intimate – as well as a community space for the neighborhood.
There are some good pics on the Wikipedia site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Jardin_du_Luxembourg.JPG
Something along the lines of Bryant Park would be way cool as well – I just hope it is also a place that is well lit and where people feel comfortable strolling at night – much like the main OU campus in Norman.
Great thread
Bryant Park is a great place. Notice the chairs in the pictures. You can take them anywhere in the park you like — they aren’t chained down. The restrooms are attended and kept clean and free of improper behavior. The park has free wi-fi. There are kiosks that sell different kinds of food. The main branch of the New York Public Library is visible behind the fountain, but there’s an outdoor reading room where you can sit and read books and newspapers. You can rent chess, checkers, Scrabble, and backgammon boards for a small fee.
Oooooh, I love Michael’s suggestion of free wi-fi. That would bring in the people for sure….and they’d be quiet people, too!
Admittedly, I have not traveled far and wide, but I do love the Forgotten NY website and think some more interesting architectural features would serve us well. I give you The Bridges of Central Park: http://www.forgotten-ny.com/STREET%20SCENES/arches/arches.html
I think outdoor tables with umbrellas would do a lot to attract workers downtown to have lunch out at the gardens.
Patrick is correct. People do not use the Myriad Gardens because they have to cross the street to get to it. If you take away traffic as a barrier, it opens the door to utility. Also, move the trees that surround it so it doesn’t look like a fortress. From the east side, it looks almost impenetrable.
I’d personally close Sheridan between the Myriad Gardens and the new Devon tower. Create a plaza with street vendors, possibly the ferris wheel, and an outdoor garden carousel. Also have tables with umbrellas.
I agree that there needs to be a cafe or vendors, more benches and chairs. Spruce it up more, should not be any unused or areas that aren’t up to snuff. I also agree with another post that there should be several fountains and things so people can sit and enjoy. Free internet would be great too as business people would have a place to relax, get lunch and read e-mails. Maybe a small amphitheater for concerts, plays or other events.
I love these thoughts because we need to bring something to the west side of downtown…I like all the ideas (fountains and restaurants) for sure. I even like the amphitheatre that is currently at the myriad gardens, but let’s blow it up with some grass seating and bring BIG outdoor concerts to the arts festival and throughout the year. see this link for idea in Nashville (minus the river)!! http://www.daylife.com/photo/0fgpabEdgsaWs
I still like the idea of extending the canal west to enter into the ponds at the Myriad Gardens. You could run the canal down Reno in between the Ford Center and the Cox Center, then north, and west into the Myriad Gardens ponds.
One of the local news stations needs to move their studios to a ground floor space overlooking a plaza and Myriad Gardens.
I’d love to see it happen, but I don’t think people in OKC would take advantage of outdoor space like folks in NYC.
I love the outdoor film series at Bryant Park and think something similar would be a nice event in downtown OKC. Something like the wichcraft kiosks would be nice, too: http://www.bryantpark.org/amenities/wichcraft.php
Not a bad idea if people would take advantage of it…
The Myriad Gardens needs more to attract and engage people. How about old fashioned popcorn and cotton candy carts, tables with umbrellas where people can eat lunch, a cafe (possibly in the uninhabited bridge), and outdoor garden carousel, a permanent outdoor vendor to sell drinks and snacks.