MAUREEN HEFFERNAN’S LEGACY AT MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS
HOW THE BOTANICAL VISIONARY SHAPED OKLAHOMA CITY’S GREEN LANDSCAPE Many modern influential figures have played a significant role in shaping Oklahoma City into what it is today, and Maureen Heffernan, former CEO of Myriad Botanical Gardens, is one of the most notable among them. After extensive
MAUREEN HEFFERNAN
experience in public garden management across the northern United States and in Oklahoma, Heffernan has announced her recent retirement. Before her recruitment to Oklahoma City’s Myriad Botanical Gardens 13 years ago, Heffernan gained experience in her field while working at the New York Botanical Garden, the American Horticultural Society, as director of programming for the Cleveland Botanical Gardens and as executive director at Coastal Maine Botanical Garden.
“I have a background in public gardens in terms of programming, garden design, management, all of that. That’s been my world,” Heffernan said. “I went to college at Fordham University in New York City, and right across the street was the New York Botanical Garden … so I worked there as a student, and I just loved it. I think that set a spark off in me to ultimately pursue a career working and managing a botanical garden.” Heffernan had never thought of moving to the Midwest, or living in Oklahoma specifically, but when she was recruited by Larry Nichols and Jim Tolbert, Heffernan said she was impressed with their vision for what the Myriad Gardens could be. In 2011, Oklahoma City was experiencing much growth, change and betterment, Heffernan said. The momentum of the city is what drew Heffernan in, and she decided ‘why not?’ “It was kind of a risk,” Heffernan said. “But I’m so glad I did because I’ve loved the people here, the projects I’ve been able to do with the gardens and also taking on Scissortail Park. To help plan, manage and open a big, new facility like that is a once-in-a-career opportunity. All the things we’ve done to redo the crystal bridge and the new programming we started; it’s just been an incredible opportunity here in Oklahoma City, and I just loved every minute of it.” For more on Heffernan’s career and impact on the Myriad Gardens, please visit velocityokc.com.
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