EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) - After a rough start and controversy over finances with the City of Edmond, construction on the new Uncommon Grounds Sculpture Park is well underway.
"Art is the star of the show and then the supporting characters are nature and play," said Melissa Pepper, the Executive Director Uncommon Ground.
Bulldozers are already moving dirt to make way for Edmond's New park, the Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park, at Coltrane and 2nd St. which is also Route 66.
Long time Edmond residents will remember, the 62-acre pasture was once the home of an Arabian horse ranch. A nod to the land's history is evident with the black horse statues out front,
On the far west side of the park is the old horse barn.
"This is where the 27 horses lived," said Pepper.
Now, the barn is home to dozens of sculptures. Forty-three of them will be scattered throughout the park, like the kingfisher bird, a roller skating banana, statues honoring Native Americans, and wildlife.
Some of the pieces are new, some are old.
"Some of the oldest pieces we have are from the 1920's," said Pepper.
That soap stone piece is called "The Lady," by an unknown artist.
You'll also see several statues out by one of the three ponds.
"These are our reflection dancers," said Pepper.
Near the pond stands a 140-year-old pecan tree.
You'll be able to see the legacy limbs and the pond while eating at restaurants above the retention wall.
"This is restaurant row," said Pepper, pointing to the area where construction crews were working.
Kids can burn off that grub at several playgrounds, designed for different ages.
"We'll have your crawlers, your toddlers, and then your 5-12 year-olds," said Pepper.
There will also be a dog park. All this nature is likely to inspire artists.
Where the home of the horse ranch once stood will be the new two-story home of the Edmond Fine Arts Institute, with theaters, classrooms, and a place to show off some art.
"There will be three different galleries, so we can feature artists, local artists and international artists," said Shannon Price, with Edmond Fine Arts Institute. "Because we're in this beautiful park, it opens this up to so many other kinds of art opportunities."
The goal is to open the park in 2026, which is the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The hope is for the park to become a well-known stop along the mother road.
"It's going to be here before you know it," said Pepper.
The budget for the park is $72 million. They are still fundraising for it. Meanwhile, Edmond Fine Arts has a budget of $20 million.
