OKC's Myriad Gardens Reopens After Complete Makeover

Jennifer Pierce, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A landmark in downtown Oklahoma City has undergone a massive transformation. The Myriad Gardens makeover is now complete.

A lot of activities are planned for the entire family at the "Festival On the Greens". This will be the public's first chance to see all the renovations that have taken place at the Myriad Gardens.

10/13/2011 Related Story: OKC's Myriad Gardens Reopens With 'Festival On The Green'

Final touches are going on the concert stage. This is one of the new additions to the Myriad Gardens.

"There are a lot more public spaces," said Jim Burnett, who redesigned the Myriad Gardens.

That's part of the idea behind the renovation. Burnett redesigned the gardens envisioned a family-friendly area.

"We saw the chance for myriad botanical gardens to become more of a botanical gardens but the heart of downtown," Burnett said.

Burnett kept the familiar Crystal Bridge and lake, and only updating the spaces.

"They reglazed the panels inside the crystal bridge so you can actually see into it now,"  said Shannon Cox, Communications coordinator for Project180.

Everything else has undergone a compete transformation. Concrete and decomposed granite trails lead you from one side to the other.

"Now you can stand on one side of and see all the way across," Cox said.

The open peaceful environment is seen in the landscaping and waterfalls. This is now a place you can sit down for lunch, or soon, bring the kids for an afternoon of fun.

"They can come play in the gardens and it's secure, there is a fence all the way around that area for the children," Cox said.

The improved area is partly funded by Devon dollars, and part of a much bigger project that will eventually construct a new downtown.

"This is definitely something to be proud of," Cox said.