City leaders have launched a seven-question online survey asking for residents' input on the MAPS 3 Downtown Park design. The survey can be found at www.okc.gov/maps3 and is available in both English and Spanish and is mobile-friendly!
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The questions focus on several topics including recreation, events, education and attractions. People are also encouraged to include their own ideas to the list of options.
"Citizen input is critical to the development of the new MAPS 3 Downtown Park," MAPS program manager David Todd said. "We want to create a park that is unique to Oklahoma City and offers a variety of recreation options for people of all ages."
More than 130 people attended the first of three public input meetings on Thursday, Sept. 13 at the Downtown Library. The presentation given during the meeting is available at www.okc.gov/maps3.
A few of the ideas generated by attendees included: shaded learning playgrounds, a boardwalk along the Oklahoma River, keeping the area's old growth trees, retaining the historical value of the parkland, building an outdoor amphitheater, an Oklahoma-themed carousel, public restrooms, incorporating solar and wind energy, public art and rock climbing. Many more ideas were discussed.
The second community meeting will likely take place in October. It will be facilitated by Hargreaves Associates who designed Crissy Field in San Francisco, California, Discovery Green in Houston, TX and 21st Century Waterfront Park in Chattanooga, TN.
The $132 million park will be made up of a 40-acre upper section and a 30-acre lower section, which is connected by Oklahoma City Skydance Bridge. The park is within the boundaries of Hudson to the west, Robinson to the east, the Oklahoma City Boulevard to the north and the Oklahoma River to the south. Land acquisition for the upper park is 95 percent complete and construction is expected to begin in 2013.
Log on to www.okc.gov/maps3 for project details or to sign up to receive the MAPS 3 newsletter.
About MAPS 3
MAPS 3 is a 10-year, $777 million construction program designed to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City. It is funded by a one-cent tax initiative that began in April 2012 and ends in December 2017. MAPS 3 funds eight projects: Downtown Convention Center, Downtown Public Park, Modern Streetcar/Transit, Oklahoma River Improvements, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Improvements, Senior Health and Wellness Centers, Trails and Sidewalks. Log on to www.okc.gov/maps3 for project details and to read the implementation plan.
