Conceived as part of the city’s downtown revitalization plan in the 1960s, the idea for the gardens was originally brought to the table by renowned architect I.M. Pei, who patterned the Gardens after the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. Let by local businessman and oil pioneer Dean A. McGee, cultivation of the Gardens outdoor grounds and Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory was journey that took nearly twenty years. In 1975, the City of Oklahoma City purchased a 17-acre plot in the heart of downtown to create the new garden space. In the same year, the Myriad Gardens Trust was formed to oversee the Gardens’ development, a task that took nearly 15 years. Work on the Gardens’ outdoor grounds began in November 1977. In 1981, the Myriad Gardens Foundation was formed to raise private funds for the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory. A living plant museum, the conservatory represented the capstone of the Gardens. From 1985 until 1987, work on the conservatory’s unique cylindrical structure took place. Comprised of 17 steel trusses and over 3,000 acrylic tiles, the Crystal Bridge is one of Oklahoma City’s iconic architectural gems. After two years for plant development and interior work, the Crystal Bridge opened its doors to the public on March 25, 1988. With ongoing support from the Foundation, and thanks to a generous donation from Herman and LaDonna Meinders in the late 1990's, the northeast portion of the Gardens were converted into a lush landscape representing Oklahoma native flowers and plants. The Meinders Gardens gives visitors a change to experience Oklahoma’s rich botanical heritage. The 2010 renovation, funded by Project 180, aimed to improve visibility through the park, enhance pedestrian connectivity, improve safety and create a new series of flexible spaces for public use.

Project 180 streetscape renovations installed a series of destination markers throughout downtown Oklahoma City. The destination markers depict an aerial map with a small silver pin that denotes “you are here.” The outer ring of each destination marker highlights a local historic or pop culture event specific to the city. Historical Significance: The Stockyards was and still is outside of the City limits and as such was outside the jurisdiction of City Police. Consequently, the area could be rather wild and wooly as cowboys, truckers and meatpackers let off steam after a hard day’s work. This marker reads: Stockyards City, two miles to the southwest, founded in 1910, was a center for meat packing and cattle sales. The packing plants closed in 1961. The Oklahoma National Stockyards Company remains as one of the Nation’s major cattle markets. The area is a center for western apparel and goods.

Six large, black disks connected at different points produce a balanced structure.

The seven-foot-high, 35-foot-long red brick wall honors the performing arts in Oklahoma. Several images of the musically-inclined are carved into the structure.