Broken Arrow celebrates opening of new public garden

A new public garden, years in the making, is finally blooming in Broken Arrow. City officials and community members will gather Friday, May 23, at 10 a.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of The Gardens at Central Park, located at 1500 S. Main St., west of the Central Park Community Center.

A vision takes root

The idea for a community garden in Central Park was first proposed nearly 14 years ago by members of Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful. Their goal was to create a peaceful, sustainable space residents could enjoy year-round.

“For several years, Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful members had the vision of a garden in Central Park,” said Sharon Atcheson, the group’s chair. “Our dream has become a reality... This lovely amenity to our City will be a peaceful place for everyone to enjoy and a perfect place for prom, graduation, and family pictures.”

From Rose Garden to diverse landscape

While the garden was originally envisioned as a rose garden, plans evolved after disease affected rose plantings in Tulsa. The final design now includes a wide range of plants meant to support pollinators and showcase native Oklahoma species.

Key plantings include:

1. Large canopy trees: Oaks, maples, ginkgoes, and cypress
2. Ornamental trees: Oklahoma redbud, holly, and serviceberries
3. Flowering perennials: Bee balm, sunflowers, asters, Joe Pye weed, and roses
4. Herbs: Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and ornamental garlic

Features for both beauty and function

Spanning 33,000 square feet, The Gardens at Central Park also includes a pergola, an entry plaza, and a tranquil water feature. These elements, along with shaded walkways and open grassy spaces, are designed to invite residents to stroll, picnic, and reflect.

The garden sits on land that was previously home to the city’s softball fields before they were relocated to Arrowhead Park.

Support from voters and city leaders

The $532,000 project was funded in part by the 2018 GO Bond Package, which allocated $500,000 for the garden. Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful contributed an additional $42,000 to cover landscape design, the pergola, and the water feature.

“Quality of Life projects, such as The Gardens at Central Park, are made possible by individuals dedicated to making Broken Arrow the best it can be,” said City Manager Michael Spurgeon. “The voters embraced that vision... and the City’s Engineering and Construction Department, landscape architect R.L. Shears, and contractor Motown Outdoors worked together to bring that vision to life.”

A blooming future

Mayor Debra Wimpee called the new garden a landmark project for the city.

“Building projects that improve our citizens’ quality of life... are some of the most rewarding endeavors we do as a city,” Wimpee said. “By encouraging pollination, The Gardens at Central Park will not only be a beautiful and serene destination... but it will also encourage sustainability.”

The city and Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful hope The Gardens at Central Park becomes a go-to destination for families, photographers, and nature lovers alike.