Gathering Place

Cool park! The kids had a great time. It was really hot when we visited, so we didn't see everything. They have a water play area too that was very busy the day we were there. Lots of places to climb and burn energy. They have a little souvenir/ gift shop in the restaurant area.

The Gathering Place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is widely celebrated as an exceptional urban park, recently winning USA Today's Best City Park for 2024. Spanning over 100 acres, it offers a variety of activities and amenities suitable for all ages. The park features expansive playgrounds, lush gardens, trails, and a boathouse for water activities like kayaking and canoeing. It also hosts numerous events and outdoor concerts, making it a vibrant community hub. Yhe park has a thoughtful design that integrates natural elements with recreational spaces. Highlights include the adventure playgrounds, sensory garden, and various sports courts. In addition to recreational facilities, the Gathering Place offers dining options and plenty of scenic spots for picnics and relaxation. The park's meticulous maintenance and the availability of clean restrooms contribute to its positive reputation among locals and tourists alike. It is a great place for family and kids will really love it with lots of rides and activities for them.

Excellent park! Never seen anything better for a free family park and it's better than almost all paid amusement parks I've been to. Walking trails are mainly shaded, plenty of seating all over, playgrounds of everykind for every age, fountain splash pad to cool off on, air conditiond buildings to meet others or use restrooms and restaurants. Very clean and well maintained throughout, paddle boat and kayak rentals, several events throughout the year, and more! This place is so big, you have to spend 3 days or more just to explore it all.

Love walking here early in the mornings when it is still quiet. I was told dogs are allowed only on Wednesdays and Sundays but I have seen dogs every day I have been there. It has a huge playground for kids. Free boat rides on Peggy’s Pond. Rent canoes, paddle boats, and kayaks. There are elevators for wheelchair access. There are places to dine as well : The redbud cafe, Vista, and Patio The riverwalk is right next to the park so you can cycle, scooter, run, jog, or walk there too. Right next to the newly opened Zink Lake as well where it is nice to watch the birds. Very peaceful and serene.

During our cross country trip down Route 66, we stayed the night in Tulsa and took the kids to The Gathering Place for a few hours. What an amazing place! The kids loved the variety of activities and we loved that it was free to take them. It’s no wonder it was named “The Best Park in 2024”! What a treat for its residents!

What a wonderful and beautiful place. So many different areas to explore and something for literally every age of human. The inside of the buildings are incredibly beautiful and architecturally and thoughtfully designed. It lives up to the title “best park in the US”. Worth a see, no matter how long you are in town!

We found the lake scenic, and the decks with chairs for sitting and enjoying the view are a nice touch. Unfortunately the places listed as gardens are disappointing. We were glad we went during the week because it looks like it would get pretty crowded on weekends and in the summer. On the map it looks like a giant place, but we parked at the north end near the wetland gardens, and it was a reasonable amount of walking to get to pine valley and back around the loop.

This park is beautiful! The landscape, activities, and environment is beautiful. Open for dogs on Wednesday and Sundays only. They offer yoga, tai chi and other free activities. A great place for families and gatherings.

Absolutely love going to Gathering Place. It's always so well kept, clean, gorgeous plants and flora. We took our 4 month old today ahead of a family brunch and let him enjoy some time outside before it got too hot. While there isn't a lot for him, we did get him out of his stroller and let him sit with us on the swing to look at trees. This is an AMAZING park that is open to the public, free, with so many different offerings.

Come on, how could anyone not love Gathering Place?? This park is like a gift from the gods to the Tulsa Community. Nearly every time I come here I discover a new part of the park and some thing else to do. My toddler specifically loves the sand box area with the clubhouse is, the snake jungle gym, the water play area, the area to feed fish, and the movie nights they put on throughout the warmer seasons! The staff here is always super friendly and helpful. The park stays clean. We enjoy grabbing ice cream inside the lodge on hot

I think I could wander around here for three hours and not see the same thing twice! Apparently Gathering Place is the second largest free park in the US after Central Park which blew my mind. So many fun jungle gyms for the kids, cool science experiments, and there's water activities you can do like kayaking or pedal boats! We wandered over by the boat area and there is a building with a Cabinet of Wonders exhibit that was fascinating. I'm not sure if the exhibits rotate but it was a really eclectic collection of fossils and pop culture items. Look through as many drawers as you can!

Possibly the world's best park, was blown away by the variety of activities and different experiences that can be had at this place. Well worth a trip to Tulsa just to spend time at this place.

Love this place. It's a gem in the heart of the city that has something for everyone. The play area is simply incredible and so unique - wonderful for families with kids. Personally, I find weekdays particularly enjoyable for quieter strolls around the grounds. There are chairs on the dock where you can sit and relax. Not only is it a local favorite, it's also a fantastic spot to take guests and visitors. They have two cafes with a variety of food and drink options. Haven't tried the food yet, but the ice cream is delicious and perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day. The Boathouse offers activities like pedal boats and canoes. There are also a wide range of different events throughout the year from cultural celebrations to community gatherings and educational events. Check out their website for an events calendar to plan your visit. The Gathering Place truly offers a dynamic and enjoyable experience for everyone.

I am very lucky to live close by and be able to walk the paths around the Gathering Place. There are lovely spots to sit and relax for a chat with a friend or with a book. If it is hot, hanging out in the lodge or for book club by the fire in the lodge. My husband and I have wondered around and gotten some great photos as well and just enjoyed this peaceful place. The parking can be super busy but it is worth it to wonder around and enjoy the space whether having a picnic, playing basketball, on a walk or bike ride so many options to enjoy. There are food options on the bottom floor of the lodge and a few different places throughout the park with restrooms.

It would be damn hard not to rate this place five stars. It's a kid's wonderland. We were fully entertained for three hours and barely even scratched the surface of the place. Be warned: there is sand and water play, but can be easily avoided by spending time in the other play areas instead. Be EXTRA warned: you will probably lose sight of your kids unless you're tagging along with them in the structures. So many tunnels leading different places, and especially with the sun in your eyes it can be easy to lose track of them. Make sure to lay down ground rules before entering, and be wary if your adult-to-child ratio leaves you outnumbered. Still totally worth it in my book, and ABSOLUTELY a reason for anyone with kids to visit to Tulsa.

Beautiful park! Very accessible in my opinion. Great welcome center with views decor. I can't see how anyone could disagree

This is a really fun park. Definitely not as big as I thought it was. There are clean bathrooms and lots of staff present. Tons of stuff to do from skate parks and bike paths for people of all ages. Our kiddo is a teenager so we didn't spend too much time at the big playground but it was fun getting to run around the castle and sliding down the slides. I think it appeals most to bikers, skaters, joggers, and parents with littles. Really beautiful scenery when walking around the park; would love to come back in the fall.

When I want to take a breather and relax in the city life, this is my go to spot. Feed the fish, enjoy nature, see art and walk!!)

While my daughter was at a business training I was looking for a free, relaxing way to spend my morning. I had in mind a walking trail and reading my book. I found this park had great reviews for walking trails and so I headed over. WOW was I surprised when I got here and saw how much more it has!!! This park is very big with sectioned off areas. There is a river walk, a boathouse, an open field area, a lake, a couple cafes with sitting areas and a HUGE kids exploration area with more creative ideas for play than I've ever seen! It was astonishing. I started with the fairly boring part and walked around the entirety of the park and then over and across to the river walk part. They are doing work in that area and the river is low maybe(?) I'm not sure, but there wasn't really any water to view. The walking and biking path was still filled with sights and people. I like how they have biking lanes on one side and walking on the other so it is easier for both parties to navigate. As a suggestion I'd say they absolutely need more directional signs. When I started on the path there were no directions, I just took a chance. Along the path I saw only 2 directional signs at all (I walked over 3 miles for perspective here). Once I made it to the boathouse they do have paper maps available but that isn't helpful if you don't start there or if you don't want to carry a paper pamphlet around with you. That would be annoying. I would come here again just for this walking path alone. So many cool adventures along the way like a nature trail, picnic area, all season garden, grass views, river views, bike park views, etc. I also really enjoyed sitting on the upper deck of the boathouse and just relaxing and reading my book. The view is great, the chairs are comfortable and the shaded top was needed as it was a warm sunny day. As the day got warmer huge crowds ensued. A lot of families in the kids area, but i still explored a bit in the sensory park with a mirror display walkthrough. I can't rave enough about all the cool ideas in the play areas. If you have kids - BRING THEM HERE! Overall I'd recommend this park 10/10! I will say I arrived very early and there was plenty of parking. As I was leaving all the lots were full but I saw signs for nearby parking. Definitely look into the parking situation if you are coming on a nice weather day.

This place brings me so much peace of mind. I stumble upon the gathering place by accident. I'm here for a short trip in Tulsa and wanted to go for a run. Chose to go running by the river park and ended up running into the gathering place. I fell in love with this place/park. It's so peaceful and tons of things to do with you family. I had to come back here to do my work because the scenery just make working way more enjoyable. There are a lot of really awesome play ground for kids, nice clean trail, skate park, and this amazing place you can go study or work or hang out with friends. Definitely one of the best park I have ever been to so far.

We love the gathering place! We are a family of 4 with two little boys aged 2 and 4. They have so much fun!

If you're looking for an amazing family park you found it! Beautiful views, row boats at the boat house and awesome play areas with interactive play items, what a cool park!

The Gathering Space represents a very creative way to activate exterior space. There is something for everyone. Play areas which engage different age groups with bespoke play structures that are fun to look at Waterways which serve as game refuge but with boating opportunities. Vistas to watch or get away from action Stuctures with coffee and warm.

So glad I visited the facility while I was in Tulsa! What a fabulous public amenity. It would definitely be a place I would return to if I lived here. The main building (interior and exterior) is a great place for adults to hang out. We got a coffee at the downstairs cafe. There are other structures like the boat dock/building and various areas with comfortable seating. Landscaping throughout is very nice. Entire concept is very creative. It is a dream destination for kids--tons of inventive play areas!

This place is amazing! Best park I have ever seen! I wish all cities had a park like this. What more could you want?! It has paddle boats/kayaks seasonally, many parks with various themes, large walking trails, picnic areas, cafes, cutesy decor throughout, and expansive grass spaces. If you want some time outside, come here; you won't regret it. It's a beautiful outing no matter if you're looking to relax, exercise, or even celebrate a special event!

The ABSOLUTE best day trip! So much to see and do during all seasons. Children of all ages and adults can play, explore, and interact. Accessible bathrooms. Restaurants. Great place for exercise. They have event throughout the year. They have discovery lab for hands on learning and more. Cannot recommend this place enough. Pack a lunch settle in for hours worth of play and have a picnic.

Wow! All I can say is Wow! This is the most fun park! We had the best time walking the paths, it was a beautiful day. The kids played on all the play structures and took in all the creative statues. We will be back when we can spend more time.

The Gathering Place is such a wonderful public park that Tulsa locals should be proud of. Can you imagine how much love philanthropists from the Kaiser family has for Tulsa? Definitely one should come see this park by themselves. This $400+ million investment into Tulsa community from families who came from Tulsa is unreal. The park wayyyy exceeds what other parks in even major rich cities offer for sure. There are places for the public to walk, exercise (even kayaking!) and relax. Not only that, the playgrounds and facilities are top class! This is a must see, must visit places for locals and visitors for sure. It truly upgraded and made Tulsa a very nice city for the public to enjoy!

Pay attention to park - we missed the entrance the first time. Lots of families and looks like a fun place to take them. Plenty of room to be alone as well. Better food than expected.

I stopped by the Gathering Place for a quick visit while in Tulsa. I wanted to at least check out as much as I could with the little time I had that day. As soon as I entered the facility/park I felt tranquility and peace. If you enter the main building you can go upstairs, which is my favorite spot, where there are many lounge type chairs and couches to just sit back and chill on. Bring a book, take a nap or just look out the window at the beautiful views and relax. I was with two coworkers that felt the exact same way, peaceful and relaxed. The same building has food and beverages including ice cream for sale on the first floor. I ordered the salted caramel ice cream which was delicious. I brought the ice cream up to the third floor of the same building and sat in one of the chairs and just spoiled my pallet and my eyes. The park is big with many areas to chill out. They offer so many different attractions, sports and wellness opportunities, commissioned art masterpieces and dining hot-spots. Way too many to list here. This place is great for families, couples, friends and individuals looking for a beautiful experience. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to experience most of the park but from what I saw, I will definitely come back and spend more time here to get the full experience. This is a pretty great place to experience. If I lived here, this would def be one of my go-to spots to wind down.

One of my friends, Casii Stephan,was singing at the Winter fest at the gathering place on Saturday so I decided to check it out. I didn't get a chance to walk around because I was kind of late. However, it looks like people were having fun and enjoying the train. I loved the Christmas music and the availability of hot chocolate and alcohol. The parking wasn't awesome but it is what it is. I hope to check it out next weekend too.

This place was amazing. Stopped here for a few hours on our road trip home. Could easily spend all day here with the kids. Wish we had a place like this near home.

Amazing place to take a family vacation- or at least stop in for a few hours! Well worth it. Sectioned play spaces for all age groups!

Beautiful, fun and unique for a typical family. Unimpressed with such a new playground not including equal opportunities for all families. Having children with special needs and this place is a bust. It's simply not accessible to all children and families. We are speaking primarily of a playground. Its surprising to me that something designed so recently is so inaccessible. The playground is enormous and so much of it is in sand or bark and the parts that are not are for climbing. Also, does not make it easy for anyone needing support to participate. to.

Amazing park I think best in all USA Willi Wonka play areas built by German engineers Look up the website for more info 400 million dollar park

Wow, wow, wow!!!! Second time driving here from Springfield. The attention to detail and creativity of this place is inspiring. My boys are full of joy and creativity. You can run cool corses here, you can feed fish, have a nice lunch and drink delicious coffee while sitting the lunge enjoying beautiful architecture.

Okay so I have heard about the Gathering Place a few different times and being in Tulsa, decided I had to check it out! We met up with family and the little kids had a BLAST! It's playground after playground. The coolest designed toys to play on and tons of seating options for the older folks. Parking was a challenge- we came on a Saturday and the lot was jammed. It can definitely get hot in the areas without shade, so plan to bring water. There are restrooms available, which is nice.

This is a very special place for myself and my family. We have made several memories here. With emotions aside, this is definitely a "Tulsa Must." There are plenty of things to do here when it is open. I'm not a Tulsa local, but I've been going to Tulsa since I have been placed in the womb ;) TULSA has many beautiful visiting locations of museums, historic marks, parks, restaurants, and events. I think the Gathering Place just might have a something for everyone of all ages. The entrance is free. There are a lot of hidden features you can discover with the little ones. It'll take almost a few hours to cover your visit. Wear comfortable walking shoes. I suggest closed toe shoes, bottled water or electrolyte drinks.. they may encourage purchased food and drinks from other establishments. We haven't had a problem with that. I don't suggest bringing your own adult beverages, there is a front eatery that serve some wine and beer options. That may be subject to change... Other than that, there are a lot of really neat obstacles for all ages... it's a unique park. I'm sure most of the Tulsans and the outer locals are familiar with the park, but I can relay, it is worth the visit! Follow their website and you'll get event info they provide for some extra activities such as live music, scavenger hunts, etc etc. Y'all enjoy.. take the weather and extreme heat/sun precautions. Just prepare yourselves. Hand sanitizer/wipes -I definitely advise.

I love the Wikipedia entry for Gathering Place: "Gathering Place is an open space in Tulsa, Oklahoma, not to be confused with the small family owned coffee shop in Shawnee, Oklahoma by a similar name "The Gathering Place" who is being sued over name rights." That's ::chef's kiss:: perfect. GP's website says that there are 100s of "experiences" but if you're there with kids, you're mostly there for the Chapman Adventure Playground; that's primarily why we show up. There are various things in that large space to keep your young children excited; I can't be bothered to list them all (I'm sure someone else already has). There is also Mist Mountain, but every time we've shown up, that's been closed for one reason or another. This is a great park for families with young children, and the fact that it's free is a bonus. It's just fine if you're an adult though. So set your expectations accordingly. The park is well-maintained and everything seems to be in relatively good shape, even three years and thousands of people later. At the Chapman Adventure Playground, it feels like a majority of the activities are built primarily for slightly older children (older than 6 years) or for really young children (younger than 2 years). My children being around the 4-year-old mark means that they're old enough (and reckless enough) to be interested in trying everything, but not old enough to be able to traverse some of the more challenging playground elements by themselves. Which basically means that I have to climb through hidey-holes with them all the way to the top, or navigate tight spaces that weren't built for my increasingly "oh you must be from Oklahoma" body-type. On that note, if you go on the weekend, or during a major holiday, you're going to have a bad time. Way too many people. Way too many older children with no regard for the younger children around them. Way too much chaos, cacophonous activity, and just an all-around unpleasant time for parents. We've found our favorite GP experiences to be when we showed up on a random day of the week (usually requires taking a day off from school or something similar) and being there first thing in the morning. I'd rather take a personal day, and drive to Tulsa on a random Tuesday with my family and make a day of it, than show up on a weekend and deal with... ::gestures at everything:: But you do you. Maybe some parents like watching their children get bowled over by inconsiderate 10+ year-olds obliviously running through the park? I hope GP (not the "small family owned coffee shop in Shawnee, Oklahoma") fails in its lawsuit endeavors, even while I thoroughly enjoy this park.

I love the gathering place. I love bringing my family food picnic, days of fun and relaxing. It's so beautiful and easy to get around.

5 stars for effort. Keep subtracting for amount of cost to city to maintain if times are tight. Hype on the street is out of place though. Its really just a cozy indoor lodge compliments of the city. Hopefully doesn't get taken over by homeless. Huge jungle gym and a paddle boat portion. Pretty nice place to relax, but seriously huge investment for a simply nice fireplaced lodge to have small group meetings , and cozy meetups at.

If you want to know what a $465 million public park looks like, look no further. Hint: It's as ah-mazing as you would expect. We are passing by from out of town and I decided to stay one night in Tulsa so my kids can experience this park. The custom-made play structures at the adventure playground were very whimsical and creative. I had looked up the place prior to our visit, gave my kids a list of things to look for (ie, a giant banana, an elephant tower, etc) and sent them on a hunt when we got there. The park is very well maintained. There were restrooms everywhere, we also saw staff cleaning and picking up trash through out the day. There are 2 cafes on site, one for snacks and coffee, and another one for hot meals. We ended up spending 3.5 hours here, including lunch time. According to their app (yes, they have an app), they are adding a Discovery lab too. We might have to come back for another visit when it's open!

My entire family loves this place. You can bring along your bikes and skateboards for the skate park, bring a volleyball and basketball for pick up games, or take the younger kids to the multiple playgrounds to play. It is a beautiful place to meet up with family and friends. When you get hungry they have an easy place to get food and even a coffee ice cream shop. Tulsa is so fortunate to have this beautiful park!

Lots of outdoor fun with the family... privately funded and well maintained. We were meeting my nieces in-laws and it was a great idea to hangout in the outdoor space.

It's dog day at The Gathering Place. We loaded Baxter in the car and took a delightful walk a park that puts Tulsa on the map. It out does New York's Central Park. This place has something for everyone. The mind boggling playground equipment provides entertainment for children, things like basketball courts for teens, beautiful botanical gardens for adults, and on Wednesdays, they even have something for dogs.

Incredible place. Great for all ages. Hint: weekends fill up b/t 10-10:30 AM. For kids playgrounds -- Drive all the way in main (paved) lot (John Williams Way) to Far East end of lot. What a great place for Tulsa !

Without a doubt the best park around! Lots of activities of all kinds for kids, and plenty to see and do for adults. The lodge is incredible with lots of places to lounge and chill, with ice cream and light lunches available too! The integration of the park with natural elements takes this park to the next level...its always an experience. Because it is sooo cool, it's busy. There are lots of people, and parking can be at a premium...if the place sucked there would be plenty of parking...so don't get upset, don't whine, just be patient. So far we have found guests to be pretty respectful and follow the rules...there has been the exception...groups of unsupervised teens being teens, but there are plenty of family oriented folks around that help to keep even them in check. If you visit, spend some time in the boathouse, checking out the collection...its sure to spark conversation, and you find something new each time.

Tons of fun for all ages. So much space for activities - and it's all free! You have to check it out. Pro tip - go early. I was there close to opening on a Sunday and had the run of the place. By 11 it was very crowded.

This was a super cute, fun and free place to visit. The kids and active adults will have a blast here. I am sooo happy that we stopped by. Great wheel chair and area. You will definitely get your steps in here!

Incredible public park in Tulsa. Really fun for kids with all the playgrounds, climbing structures and slides but also worth checking out for adults with its winding pathways and landscaping. Free boat rentals on the small lake in the summer/fall. Check out the Redbud Cafe for coffee and ice cream and the Boathouse for sit-down lunch and dinner with views of the river and Tulsa skyline. This park will be even better once they finish construction of the new dam, whitewater park and pedestrian bridge that will connect the park to the other side of the Arkansas River. This will also allow them to finish the riverfront portion of the park that has been fenced off since the May 2019 flood. My only complaint is that they aren't open earlier in the mornings for people walking/jogging especially in the summer

BEST PARK IN THE WORLD. A must see!! If you have kids, you need to go! The best park and playground.

The Gathering Place is a feast for the eyes, sole, and body... an Oasis for adventure and imagination. On our mini-summer vacation, we made sure to include this amazing city park on our must do list. Finding things to do as the world figures out how to manage during a pandemic, has been hard. But, with the Gathering Place, there are 100 acres, miles of walking/biking trails, a half dozen or more play areas, a coy pond, water play, lodge and much more that will allow you and your family to be social and distanced. We have a 5-year-old and the playground and play areas are beyond anything I have seen in any park thus far. There are several play areas filled with amazing structures, textures and visuals that will spark imaginative play with children and adults alike. The zip line was one of the highlights, along with the Chapman Adventure Playground where kids can pretend to be brave knights and climb towers to defeat the winged dragons, or whatever magical creature they wish. Acres of play, fun, beauty, nature, family and new friends. The Williams Lodge offers an array of treats to beat the summer heat, along with misters and a splash pad. We loved this park so much, we came back for a second time on our trip and cannot wait to visit the Gathering Place in the fall.

This place is like something out of a child's imagination. By far the best and most creative free children's park I have ever visited. Also visually stunning with the river backdrop. My only complaint is we visited during the covid pandemic so I was cautious about how much exploring I let the kids do. Awesome place though. My hometown of Louisville needs to take notes on this on how a River Park should look and operate.

The park is heaven on Earth. Everything looks brand new and well maintained. Lots to explore, incredible for kids. I was impressed with how clean it was, how nice the landscaping was, and at all the activities that were available. (It seems to be an extension of the Arkansas River parks which are out of this world, too). Not only were there chairs all over to rest, but even cushions for the chairs. There were trash cans available throughout, hand sanitizer, complementary masks, water fountains, bathrooms etc. It felt like I was at a resort, no joke. I can't believe it's open to the public and free. There was a small exhibit inside one of the buildings, too. Didn't see a single homeless person or graffiti. Coming from the East Coast they'd probably charge $70 to enter a place like this and charge $15 for parking. Truly impressive

Absolutely amazing place! We were traveling for spring break and decided to stop in Tulsa for a day. So glad we found the gathering place! It has something for kids of all ages! Absolutely beautiful nature areas and architecture! We didn't even see the entire place, wish we lived closer so we could go back often. The only thing I should mention is it's really easy to lose your kids there. I did notice some security men around, so that was great. Just a heads up for parents with little ones.

The Gathering Place in Tulsa off of Riverside Drive is a remarkable oasis of beauty and natural charm. It's a wonderful place for kids in particular to play. For the the adults it has plenty of relaxing indoor and outdoor chairs and tables. Adults and kids can sit back, relax and talk about various things of the world and enjoy a remarkable scenery in the middle of a metropolitan area. The Gathering Place reminds me of a park, botanical garden and a nature trail all in a very complimentary and controlled environment. Kids safety and enjoyment is paramount in every place you look. Besides, it's free and yet worth spending an entire day there. If you happen to find yourself with a group of kids and don't know what to do, feel free to come out of this place and let them run and play them selves into exhaustion.

We love it here, great fun & food too! We love spending time here when the weather is good. Staff is amazing too, this is a great park. Parking is great too