Myriad Botanical Gardens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Myriad Botanical Gardens |
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Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory at the Myriad Botanical Gardens.
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| Type | Botanical gardens |
| Nearest city | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Area | 17-acre (69,000 m2) |
The Myriad Botanical Gardens is a super cool 17-acre park right in the middle of downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It's a special place with lots of beautiful plants and fun things to do.
The park has many different areas with amazing plants and flowers. These areas surround a pretty lake. The main attraction is the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. This huge building is like a living museum for plants. It's 224 feet long and filled with tall palm trees, tropical plants, colorful flowers, and even waterfalls. You might also spot some exotic animals living there!
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Learn and Grow at the Gardens
The Myriad Botanical Gardens offers many chances for kids and adults to learn new things all year long. If you come with a group, you might even get a special price!
Fun Programs for Kids
- Rainforest Ecology Activity Program (REAP): This program is for kids in second and fourth grade. It helps you learn about biology and ecology in a hands-on way. You get to explore how living things interact with their environment.
- Roaming the Rainforest: This is a summer program held every Tuesday and Wednesday in June and July. It teaches you the basics of ecology. You'll learn all about rainforests and why it's important to protect them. Daycare, church, and homeschool groups are all welcome!
- Junior Master Gardener: This is an exciting one-week summer camp for kids aged 7 to 12. You'll dive deep into biology, gardening (horticulture), and how to protect nature (conservation). There are tons of hands-on activities to keep you busy and learning.
Gardening for Everyone
The annual Oklahoma Gardening School is one of the Gardens' most popular events. It usually happens on the first Saturday in March. This is an all-day event where expert gardeners share their knowledge. They come from Oklahoma and other nearby states. You can learn about the best trees and bushes for Oklahoma gardens. You might also learn about growing your own vegetables or making beautiful flower arrangements.
Art Around the Gardens
The Myriad Botanical Gardens is also home to several amazing art pieces. As you walk around, keep an eye out for these cool sculptures!
- Gateway: This large sculpture by Hans Van de Bovenkamp stands on a small hill at the northeast corner of the Gardens. It's a great spot to see the park.
- Childhood is Everlasting: Created by Robin Orbach in 1992, you can find this sculpture in the southwest part of the park.
- Philodendron Dome: Located on the northwest side of the lake, this unique piece looks like a dome made of iron and bronze. Iron vines hold up the bronze leaves, and you can even step inside for a different view!
- Flying Fish: Look for this moving sculpture by Kenny McCage in the east lake. It's a kinetic sculpture, meaning it moves!
- Land of the Brave and the Free: This colorful, moving wind sculpture is on the west side of the Gardens. It was given to the city in 2002.
- Spirit Poles: These tall poles are next to the north fountain plaza. They were a gift to Oklahoma City from Tulsa in 2007. This was to celebrate Oklahoma's 100th birthday as a state.
Fun Events All Year Long
The Myriad Botanical Gardens hosts many exciting events throughout the year. There's always something new to see or do!
- Oklahoma Gardening School: This is an all-day event where you can learn about gardening. Experts share tips on many topics related to gardening in Oklahoma. It's great for gardeners of all skill levels. You need to sign up and pay a fee to attend.
- Crystal Bridge Bug Out: This is a super popular family event! Staff release thousands of ladybugs into the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. It's a fun way to learn about the environment and how ladybugs help plants. There is an admission fee for this event.
- Orchids in October: For three days, the Gardens celebrate beautiful orchids. You can see many different kinds of orchids, and some are even for sale. The orchids inside the Crystal Bridge are at their most beautiful during this time. This event helps raise money for the Gardens.
- Creepy Conservatory: Get ready for some spooky fun! The Gardens host an annual Halloween event for families. You'll find creepy creatures and a Trick or Treat trail. Costumes are definitely welcome! Regular admission fees apply.
- Downtown in December: Starting in late November, the Gardens light up for the holidays. Thousands of sparkling lights fill the 17-acre outdoor gardens. You'll also find lights inside the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. Sometimes, there's free admission on Sundays from 6-9 p.m. in December. After a big ice storm in 2007, the Gardens replaced most of their old lights with new, energy-saving LED lights.
