A new CNG van for the Myriad Gardens in downtown OKC will be bought with donated funds

Jessie Christopher Smith, The Oklahoman
·2 min read
People walk past tulips at the Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City, Monday, March 18, 2024.
People walk past tulips at the Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City, Monday, March 18, 2024.

Nonprofit organizers for downtown Oklahoma City's popular Myriad Botanical Gardens will be using donations from a public utility's foundation to boost the gardens' eco-friendly mission.

The Myriad Gardens Foundation accepted a $19,000 reward from Oklahoma Natural Gas to support green initiatives at the 15-acre garden, the nonprofit announced this week.

The funds will be used to purchase a compressed natural gas, or CNG, cargo van to transport soil, mulch, shrubs, trees, lumber and other items for the gardens' horticulture and facility departments.

Maureen Heffernan, president and CEO of Myriad Gardens Foundation, said in a news release she was grateful for the partnership with Oklahoma Natural Gas. The funds came from the utility's parent company through the ONE Gas Foundation.

"This donation from Oklahoma Natural Gas is extremely helpful to support our operational needs as the nonprofit foundation that manages Myriad Gardens," Heffernan said. "We look forward to transporting thousands of plants over time in this van to keep the Gardens the beautiful and popular attraction it is for all our visitors every year."

Learn more: Myriad Botanical Gardens, a timeline

Visitors to the Myriad Botanical Gardens can enjoy multiple attractions that are free and open to the public, including a children's garden, a native prairie garden, a lake with terraced gardens, shade gardens and a carousel. The iconic Inasmuch Foundation Crystal Bridge Conservatory houses hundreds of desert and tropical plants onsite.

David Williams, vice president of operations for Oklahoma Natural Gas, also said in a statement that the Myriad Botanical Gardens are "a treasure in the heart of Oklahoma City" and that the company was proud to support its future.

“Natural gas is essential for creating a more sustainable future, so helping the Myriad Gardens purchase a CNG vehicle to enhance sustainability made sense,” Williams said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC's Myriad Gardens to buy new CNG van with donated ONE Gas funds