Roth: Myriad reasons to be proud
By Jim Roth | October 31, 2011
Rarely does a city’s green spaces help define the culture of its people, but that rarity is alive and well here in Oklahoma City’s Myriad Botanical Gardens and the public grounds that surrounds it.
Perhaps like New York City’s Central Park, Chicago’s Millennium Park and even Los Angeles’ La Brea Tar Pits, Oklahoma City has a destination outdoor space that speaks volumes to our visitors and for our citizens.
A new and improved Myriad just opened with family-fun fanfare to the public on Oct. 15 and is a symbol of our future for sure.
But first, a moment about its past. The story of the Myriad Botanical Gardens began in the 1960s with the vision of oil and gas pioneer Dean A. McGee, of the Kerr-McGee Corp. But nothing great happens overnight and thanks to McGee’s generous leadership and vision for Oklahoma City’s downtown, the Myriad Botanical Gardens opened in March of 1988.
Today the Myriad Botanical Gardens comprise a 17-acre, nationally recognized garden featuring the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory – a 224-foot long circular “tube” filled with towering palm trees, exotic plantings, crashing waterfalls and even animal life. I spent a wonderful lunch hour there this past week and marveled at the butterflies making their way through the conservatory, one plant after another. I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing the groups of schoolchildren marveling at the flora around them. It gives one hope that the next generation will have even greater respect for the earth we rely upon for life.
The Myriad Botanical Gardens is a public asset blessed with public and private support thanks to the Myriad Gardens Foundation, the city of Oklahoma City and a large group of dedicated volunteers. I have long respected the outstanding stewardship of leaders like Jim Tolbert, Larry Nichols, James Pickel, Dannie Bea Hightower, Debora Morey and so many others who have lent their time and resources to sustain and build what should be a world-renowned green space for generations to enjoy.
The renovated Myriad has incorporated numerous sustainable features, which should broaden our pride, while lowering our ecological footprint and reducing our financial cost for operation. These features include native, heat and water tolerant trees and shrubs, hard surfaces that allow for the absorption of rainwater and avoid runoff and water features that recirculate and save on water consumption. All in all, a very smart, sustainable way to develop a public space.
My compliments to the mayor, the city council, the private citizens and all those who have toiled in this special ground to create such a special place.
Jim Roth, a former Oklahoma corporation commissioner, is an attorney with Phillips Murrah P.C. in Oklahoma City, where his practice focuses on clean, green energy for Oklahoma.