Parks are central to any great community, and Norman is about to get an upgrade. Opening this fall, Ruby Grant Park will offer residents more choices and a whole selection of outdoor activities for disabled and able-bodied park users alike. Krystyn Richardson, of BOLD Multimedia, recently shared information about the origins of the park, what all will be included and when you can join in on the fun.
Who was Ruby Grant?
The park is named in honor of Ruby Grant, who lived most of her life at the site in a modest home that her parents built shortly after the Land Run of 1889. She was a schoolteacher who taught reading and music to many young people in the Norman area. Prior to her passing in 1998, she arranged for her family assets to be given to the University of Oklahoma to support the School of Music and a reading program. The site was subsequently purchased by the City of Norman for the purpose of providing a public park.
Can you share some of the park’s history?
The Master Plan for the Ruby Grant Park site was approved by the Norman City Council in January of 2008. Funding for the first phase of construction was made available in 2015, when the project was approved by Norman voters as part of the Norman Forward quality-of-life initiative. Emphasis on accessibility for all types of disabilities has been given throughout the design process. The park will be a destination for the disabled as well as able bodied park users.
What is the location of the park?
The park, a full 148 acres, will be located on the east side of 36th Avenue NW, just north of All Saints Catholic School and Fowler Toyota to Franklin Road, to North Interstate Drive on the east. This will be one of only five other parks that are similar in Yukon, Choctaw, Edmond, Mustang and OKC.
Is the park being planned in stages? Is a grand opening scheduled yet?
The first phase of the project will include entry and parking areas, a competitive cross-country trail facility, multipurpose trails and walkways, dog park, disc golf course, playground area, picnic pavilions, and restroom facilities. Phase I is under construction now and should be completed around the end of October or the beginning of November (weather permitting).
Phase II includes additional parking, a display garden and additional amenities.
A date for the grand opening has not been set yet.
What funds are being used to build the park? What is the estimated completed cost of the park?
The entire park will run $6 million. The inclusive playground has $400,000 coming from the Norman Forward Initiative and $200,000 is being donated by private donations, which are still being collected to fund more equipment. Additional money could be voted on in the August vote.
Can you identify some of the designers, builders and others involved with the park?
Joe Howell, Landscape Architect with Howell & Vancuren, lead consultant/landscape architecture; Integrated Architecture, architect; Wallace, civil engineer; HP Engineering, electrical engineering; and Hoffer Waska Creative, graphic design.
