4 minute read
A letter from the Director
A letter from the Director
Pumpkinville Orchids in October
Horticulture Happenings Calendar of Events
Education Spotlight Holiday Season Activities
The Myriad Gardens Foundation wishes to thank our sustaining partners, leaders in providing major ongoing annual support:
BancFirst The Chickasaw Nation Continental Resources Devon Energy Corporation Herman and LaDonna Meinders Newmark Grubb Levy Strange Beffort OGE Energy Corp. The Oklahoman Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust The City of Oklahoma City Avis Scaramucci
Join these community leaders as a partner with Myriad Botanical Gardens and you will be connected to one of Oklahoma’s venerable community resources
VISION STATEMENT Myriad Botanical Gardens seeks to enhance the quality of life and vibrancy of downtown Oklahoma City by creating and sustaining a world-class public garden and offering quality horticultural, cultural and recreational programs and events for all.
On the cover: In honor of Bob Meinders, the 2016 Orchids in October honoree the cover features our lovely Meinders Garden. Photo by Doug Hoke. Executive Board of Directors
Chairman J. Larry Nichols*
Chair Emeritus James R. Tolbert III*
Treasurer Matt Cole*
Mark Beffort John Hart Paul Lefebvre* Herman Meinders Gary Pierson David Rainbolt Meg Salyer* Avis Scaramucci* Sean Trauschke
Myriad Gardens Foundation Staff
Executive Director Maureen Heffernan
Chief Financial Officer Chuck Davis
Deputy Director Debora Morey
*Also a Community Board Member Community Board of Directors
Paul Lefebvre, President
Brian Alford Robert L. Allee Tony Boghetich Gerry Bonds Lindsey Brock Bob Calvert Janie Comstock Irma Elliott James Everest Warren V. Filley, MD Chris Fleming Ginny Greenberg Cary Grenrock Linda Haneborg Seyan Hefner Dannie Bea Hightower Linda Horn Gail Huneryager Dixie Jensen Michael Laird Jean McLaughlin Robert H. Meinders James R. Morley Allen Paine Morton Payne Kent Phillips James A. Pickel Christina Rehkop Lynn Robberson D. Joe Rockett Kim Searls Marsha See Carl Shortt Beth Wells Roy H. Williams
3 PUMPKINVILLE
5 ORCHIDS IN OCTOBER
Dear Gardens Friends:
Over the last year, 225,000 people took part in some kind of event or activity at the Gardens. Add in the many casual visitors who simply come to the park to relax and enjoy it and we estimate we attract well over 500,000 visitors each year. One of those visitors is Michelle Keever Major, who recently wrote in a Facebook review:
“I don’t know what life would be like without the amazing memories, experiences and adventures we’ve had as a family at this park. From the kids’ park, to the splash park, the restaurant, amazing flowers, Crystal Bridge, ducks, fish, concerts, movies, dancing, moon light bike rides, yoga, children’s readings, plays, all of the holiday celebrations….I spend more time at this park than ANYWHERE!! “ Receiving such a wonderful comment like this makes all of us at the Gardens even more motivated to continually enhance our gardens and public programs. Some improvements we’ve accomplished this year include:
Renovating our east and west lake terraces to mitigate erosion issues and replanting them with an ornamental native grass called Mexican Feather grass. Look for native wildflowers that we will be adding next spring to intermingle with the grasses to add sparks of color and to help attract even more butterflies, bees and birds to the Gardens. (See page 8)
Hardscape improvements included a paver replacement project on our west plaza area. The new more durable pavers are better for events and show off our container plantings to better advantage. New benches were installed on our east lake area to enjoy beautiful views of the waterfall.
“Do you have a gift shop?” is one of the most frequent questions visitors ask us. So, working with locally-owned Scissortail Gifts, we now have a new pop-up type gift shop in the south lobby of the Crystal Bridge. Open daily, it stocks a variety of Made in Oklahoma items along with gardening books for all ages and many other items. Your purchases help support the Gardens and members enjoy a 10% discount on all items.
Our education department launched a new Adventure Backpack program in September that is sure to motivate kids and families to spend time in our Children’s Garden observing and learning more about nature, plants and ecological connections. (See page 13)
To keep up with all of our programming and what happens in the Gardens, I’d encourage you to check in daily on our Instagram site. Photos of flowers to families, from ducks to dogs and so much more parade through this site in so many ways that will make you smile. You’ll see the many ways people of all backgrounds and abilities engage with Myriad Gardens. We love being called OKC’s best park and happy place!
As always, thank you for your support as Gardens members. Your donations and membership support is the reason why Michelle wrote us her lovely post.
Thank you.
Maureen Heffernan Executive Director
Pumpkinville will be opening October 7-23 will feature new interactive programs and décor elements made by local artists in order to create an enchanted harvest realm that is unlike any other pumpkin patch. Please plan to visit and enjoy the Gardens this fall and into the holiday season. See page 3-4 for details.
