LOCAL FAMILY FUN
Reimagining an ICON MYRIAD GARDENS’ CRYSTAL BRIDGE CONSERVATORY REOPENS TO THE PUBLIC BY ERIN PAGE . PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MYRIAD GARDENS. I remember when the Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge Conservatory were the new darlings of downtown. Granted, there wasn’t much else to see in downtown OKC when the now-iconic bridge and gardens opened in 1988. Along with many others who’ve called the metro home from childhood to parenthood, I’ve watched as downtown has flourished through economic development, revitalization and the MAPS programs, and the Myriad Gardens has continued to serve as a central force beckoning residents and visitors alike to the heart of our city. The beautiful grounds of the Myriad Botanical Gardens underwent extensive renovations in 2011, creating the lush, welcoming, outdoor backdrop for annual events like Pumpkinville and the Children’s Garden Festival. But, like a lot of relics from the 1980s (this geriatric millennial mama included!), some serious TLC was in order for the Crystal Bridge Conservatory. After closing to the public in 2021 for a $9.7 million renovation, the 13,000 square foot glass tube will reopen as an icon reimagined this November. NEW AND IMPROVED Visitors will immediately recognize improved accessibility, added educational experiences, updated spaces and varied views in the renamed Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory. “I am most excited about how the new design is very visitor- focused and friendly in all ways,” said Maureen Heffernan,
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VISITORS TO THE NEWLY REDESIGNED INASMUCH FOUNDATION CRYSTAL BRIDGE CONSERVATORY WILL NOTICE IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUDING NON-SLIP FLOORING, SMOOTH WALKING SURFACES AND A NEW ELEVATOR.
president and CEO of Myriad Gardens and Scissortail Park foundations. “That’s the biggest thing we wanted to get right, so we tried to design everything from a visitor viewpoint. I think we have achieved that.” The enhanced visitor experience begins at the entrance’s newly-added outdoor plaza, where plants and seating encourage visitors to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature. From there, guests enter the renovated lobby, complete with a new admissions desk, gift shop, coffee bar and classroom. Guests will be drawn in to the conservatory through a wider entrance, leading to widened pathways throughout, as well as non-slip blue stone flooring and smooth walking surfaces to ease accessibility. The addition of a second elevator on the north end and new stairways will help with the flow of visitor traffic and allow guests to meander through the space at their own pace.
12 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / NOV-DEC 2022
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