Botanical Garden Tours
GTR Newspapers photo
The Oklahoma Centennial Botanical Garden in Tulsa has scheduled days for the temporary visitor center to be open to the public. Entertaining visitors recently is Carrie Henderson, front, of the Botanical Garden. At left are volunteers Joyce Barrow and Louie Murdock.
Volunteers will show the Master Plan for the $40 million project including the seven-acre lake, in the background, which has begun filling with water. Visitors will be welcome to walk in the area. In October, two walking trails near the visitor center will also be open. The dates are the first Saturdays in October and November from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and every Tuesday in those months from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A map and directions are at obcg.org. It is advised to bring insect repellent and water. The Garden/Research and Education Center is being developed on 240 acres seven miles northwest of downtown Tulsa. It will have 15 major theme gardens, 60 specialty gardens, a permanent visitor center, an interfaith chapel, a 3,000-seat amphitheater, a conservatory and a three-story observation tower. An island in the lake will house an Oriental Garden.
Executive Director Pat Woodrum says the garden is projected to draw 400,000 visitors a year when completed.
The temporary visitor center, lake and new entrance road are the Garden’s Centennial Phase, which was funded by the Oklahoma State Legislature and the Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration Commission. Private funding is underway for the $15 million Phase One.
For more information, contact Pearl Garrison at (918) 728-2707, or pearl@botanicalgardentulsa.org.
Updated 09-25-2008
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