Stillwater honors Irby family with street naming for Block 34 contributions
City Council designates portion of Duncan Street as "Irby Lane" to recognize Kicker founders' role in bringing new downtown park to life
Stillwater City Council
The Stillwater City Council honored Steve and Becky Irby by naming a section of Duncan Street between 8th and 9th Avenues as "Irby Lane" during Monday's meeting, recognizing their extraordinary contributions to the community and their pivotal role in bringing Block 34 to fruition.
Mayor Will Joyce presented a proclamation celebrating the Irby family and Kicker corporation's decades-long commitment to Stillwater. The new downtown park, featuring the Kicker Soundstage and Simmons Bank Pavilion, is set to open this weekend during the Dancing Turtle Arts Festival.
"The strength of Stillwater lies not just in its institutions and infrastructure, but in the passion, generosity and vision of the people who call it home," Joyce said while reading the proclamation. "Steve and Becky Irby, the entire Irby family, and Kicker have for decades exemplified what it means to believe in a community."
Steve Irby expressed gratitude for the unexpected honor and praised the collaborative effort that made Block 34 possible.
"This is amazing. Becky's going to love this," Irby said. "Just want to say thank you to so many people in the room. The Beckstroms, Bank First and Simmons Bank and many others that have donated. I want to just thank the city for being so cooperative. This has been a fun project and I think it's going to get more fun."
The proclamation describes Block 34 as "more than a project" but rather "a promise of public space, civic pride, economic vitality, and a future built together." The approximately 115,000-square-foot public space represents a significant investment in downtown Stillwater's cultural and economic development.
The Irby's initially donated $3.5 million towards construction with $800,000 set aside for programming and maintenance of the block. – Photos by Chris Peters
Council sets fees for new park, gives city manager flexibility to lower prices if needed
City Council also approved rules, regulations and fees for Block 34 park operations during Monday's meeting. The new park will offer various rental options for community events, with the full Block 34 available only for special events open to the public.
The Kicker Soundstage and lawn area can be rented for $550 for five hours or $1,000 for 10 hours, while the Simmons Bank Pavilion costs $400 for four hours. The smallest rental space, the Beer Garden, is available for $300 for three hours.
Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski raised concerns about accessibility, questioning whether the $300 minimum rental fee might limit community access to the space.
"I just want to make sure that the connectedness isn't reserved for only people that can afford a certain price point," Dzialowski said.
In addition to the Irby's and Stillwater Designs/Kicker donation, Simmons Bank contributed $1.5 million dollars towards the project. – Photos by Chris Peters
City Manager Brady Moore explained that staff will monitor usage and pricing closely as the park opens, with the ability to adjust fees if needed to ensure community accessibility.
The council approved an amendment allowing the city manager to lower established fees without council approval, while any fee increases would still require council action. This provides flexibility for staff to respond to community needs as the park begins operations.
The official Block 34 dedication ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26 during the Dancing Turtle Arts Festival. The park will be accessible to the public starting Friday morning, with the fence coming down sometime that day.
"Block 34 has been a true team effort," Joyce said. "We're ready to enjoy the Kicker Soundstage, the Simmons Bank Pavilion and the many amenities included in this community space."
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The mayor encouraged residents to visit the new park and experience the illuminated space, which he described as "beautiful and special" when lit up in the evenings.
Block 34 includes amenities such as an inclusive natural playground, music play area, picnic tables and a space designed for food trucks. The park also includes a playful water feature to help cool off during warmer months.
The "beer garden" is on the east side of the block with a children's play area on the southeast corner. The Simmons Bank Pavilion sits on the northeast corner of the block. – Photos by Chris Peters
Market 34, an outdoor market concept, will operate at the park on Saturdays from August through October 2025. The market will feature Oklahoma producers and vendors, with spaces available in the Simmons Bank Pavilion, Irby Lane [Duncan Street] and designated areas for mobile food vendors.
The council also approved Market 34 rules and regulations, including vendor requirements and fee structures. Vendors must pay a $75 application fee for the season and can choose which market dates to attend.
The Block 34 project represents years of planning and collaboration between the city, private donors and community organizations. The Stillwater Community Center Foundation also played a key role in bringing the vision to reality.
For more information about upcoming events at Block 34, residents can visit stillwaterok.gov/block34 to see the schedule of planned activities and rental opportunities.
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