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Edmond Staying Not Weird…

Rich old developers have scrapped plans for a $61 million sculpture park

3:52 PM EDT on June 6, 2023

Well, I guess there’s no need to create a “Don’t Norman My Edmond” bumper sticker. 

Earlier this week, Hal French – a wealthy Oklahoma oil overlord and/or mustard mogul – announced he's rescinding his offer to donate land and money to build a $61-million Poor Man’s Gathering Place (not the coffee shop) near 2nd St. and Coltrane. 

According to The Oklahoman, the park was supposed to have giant statues of galloping horses along with lots of other fancy park things like indoor and outdoor event spaces, an observation tower, performance stages, a large pond, a community garden, fitness/endurance courses, dog parks, and play areas.

Basically, something that’s way too cool for Edmond. 

According to an Instagram post by French, he’s abandoning his plans because Edmond city leaders and staff were apparently a pain in the ass to work with. Basically, they acted like stereotypical Edmond residents:

Wow. Let’s give Edmond City leaders credit for staying true to the brand here!

Normally people will bow down to rich old white dudes and do whatever they want, but not Edmond! Maybe French should hit up Mayor-Dean David Holt and build the park in OKC instead. Before you could grab a selfie stick, he’d be hunting down the finest down-trodden urban neighborhood to bulldoze for him. In Edmond, they’re like “Whatever. Get off my lawn.”

In a strange way, I guess you can’t blame Edmond City leaders for being dicks to work with. I mean, do we really want a cool park in Edmond that will give the city life and character? No way! That land will be much better served as a packed neighborhood with cookie-cutter homes or a shopping center development containing the newest and coolest in fast-casual restaurants and middle-class retail. 

Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised. 

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