The Gardens at Central Park

The destination garden pays tribute to the city’s rose tradition

The City of Broken Arrow and Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful (KBAB) are celebrating the start of construction on the Gardens at Central Park.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Oct. 31 at 3:30 p.m. at Central Park, 1500 S. Main St. The Gardens at Central Park will feature four gardens within the destination botanical garden:

• An antique rose garden
• A native species plant garden
• A pollinator garden
• A sensory herbal garden

The project also includes the construction of an entry plaza, a pergola, seating, and signage. A construction contract was awarded to Mowtown Outdoors, LLC., the lowest responsible bidder at $467,793.

"When it comes to public parks, we often think of a place where we can engage in physical activities, but passive recreational options that encourage people to contemplate, reflect, and appreciate their surroundings are also important,” said City Manager Michael Spurgeon. “I want to thank Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful for their dedication to the community and their efforts to see The Gardens at Central Park come to fruition."

Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful

Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful Chair Sharon Atcheson, expressed appreciation on behalf of the organization for the help they received in making their vision become a reality.

"KBAB volunteers have kept the dream alive since 2015 when we saw the design for a garden," Atcheson said. "We are so excited to provide Broken Arrow residents with beautiful gardens made possible by support from the City and Broken Arrow residents who approved the 2018 General Obligation Bond. The Gardens at Central Park will be the crowning jewel for our amazing Rose District."

"Bring Back the Roses Project"

Roses have historical significance in Broken Arrow, dating back to the 1920s when the city first became known as the "City of Roses and Sparkling Spring Water”. The Broken Arrow Ledger reported that "almost every home, both humble and aristocratic, boasted a rose garden."

In an homage to the city's history, in 2011, Dr. Clarence Oliver and Beverly Forester started the "Bring Back the Roses Project" to return Broken Arrow once again to the City of Roses. They shared their vision with city leaders, civic groups, and business leaders, which led to the creation of the Bring Back the Roses Committee of the Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful organization.

Now that the dirt is beginning to turn on this project, Beverly Forester said, “This is a wonderful blend of the early day’s dream, the adventure and finally the amazing creation of The Gardens at Central Park Phase One.”

In 2014, in recognition of Keep Broken Arrow Beautiful's hard work and dedication, the City designated 6.5 acres of Central Park for a rose garden. Subsequently, in 2015, Jim and Peggy Nelson donated $10,000 for the creation of a rose garden master plan. Then, three years later, in 2018, Broken Arrow voters approved a General Obligation Bond, which included $500,000 for a new rose garden.

Central Park Rose Garden Timeline

In July 2023, in coordination with KBAB, the Broken Arrow City Council approved a master plan for the Central Park Rose Garden and an agreement for professional consulting services with landscape architect R.L. Shears Company, P.C.

City staff, KBAB, and R.L. Shears worked together to develop a plan that fits the project's vision and remains within the budget. Construction is expected to finish early in 2025, with plantings installed in the spring. The Gardens at Central Park is expected to open in the late spring or early summer of 2025.

The Gardens at Central Park will be located on the west side of Central Park and will back up to Ash Place. This area of Central Park has been underutilized since the city's softball fields were relocated to Arrowhead Park. Parking for the groundbreaking ceremony will be available at the tennis courts, the Central Park Community Center, and the Family Aquatic Center.