Wings of a scissor-tailed flycatcher, Oklahoma's state bird, inspired the Skydance Pedestrian Bridge, the crossing over Interstate 40 that joins the two halves of Scissortail Park. Its story begins with a decision on May 15, 2002, when the United States Department of Transportation approved the Oklahoma City Crosstown realignment and required a pedestrian bridge to cross Interstate 40. In 2008 Mayor Mick Cornett announced a design competition.
Architects Hans and Torrey Butzer imagined a form inspired by the mating dance of the scissor-tailed flycatcher, Oklahoma's state bird. Picture the double-winged structure as a monumental pair of wings that function as both sculptural landmark and the means to support the pedestrian deck connecting two portions of Oklahoma City's Scissortail Park. That concept became the competition-winning design developed by Hans Butzer, Stan Carroll, Ken Fitzsimmons, Jeremy Gardner, Bret Johnston, Laurent Massenat, Chris Ramseyer, and David Wanzer in collaboration with MKEC Inc. The location was chosen as part of the "Core to Shore" initiative, intended to connect the core of downtown Oklahoma.
Hans and Torrey Butzer's winged design won the 2008 competition, and the deck it carries still ties the core of downtown to the park on either side of Interstate 40.