Our World – Tulsa’s Gathering Place

I went for a walk last week at Tulsa’s Gathering Place. A huge public, privately funded, free park built right next to the Arkansas River. I’ve been there a bunch of times and I am still trying to get my head around it.

It has a bunch of different facets to it. One of the things I like is the beauty of the place. From the native, sustainable plantings the landscaping. It’s a great place to hang out. No cars are allowed in the place, the parking is all in the periphery. So be prepared for walk. They do have handicapped parking closer in though.

Who says Tulsa doesn’t have a beach?

I love the Koi Pond. The park is a mixture of high energy and serene.

The native plants make for low maintenance and low water use. It also makes for critters that live in the planting areas and other critters who feed on the critters, like snakes.

There are all sorts of areas to sit and visit, while maintaining social distancing.

The main draw are spectacular play structures. They are huge. Designed and built in Europe, they are unlike anything I have ever seen.

Other times, like on winter mornings I have climbed and clambered and used the slides. I’m not really into that when kids are present though. It’s for them.

The structures are complex and interconnected and there are multiple ways to play on them.

And great exercise to, sliding down the tubes is fun, but you have to climb up to them.

I loved their boat with the sail.

They had their water/hydraulics feature working. It had never been working on my previous trips. You have hand operated pumps, valves, dams. You can make the water go this and that. Talk about fun!!

And then off by itself is the sensory garden with all sorts of things to look at, touch, feel and make noise with.

So you can go from the busy and noisy to isolated and quiet easily.

And make your own music!!

One of my favorite places is the Lodge. It looks like an expensive resort.

I love the woodwork and the midcentury modern vibe with the furniture. Masks required!!

They have a great big fireplace that is just the place on cold winter days. And wifi and a snack bar.

So, this is just a sampler. They also have a boat house where you can rent canoes and kayaks. Bicycle and skateboard parks, and lots of sports courts, cafe’s. Play areas for smaller children, lots of rest rooms. And guess what, no admissions fees, no parking fees, no nothing. They are open 9 am to 8 pm seven days a week. Check out their web site for more information. The home page has some great drone video footage of the park.

I am linking with Our World Tuesday – Come join in!!

13 thoughts on “Our World – Tulsa’s Gathering Place”

  1. Penelope Notes

    Haha … you’re a kid at heart going down the slides when empty of youngsters. Awesome! I have not heard of this amazing incredible beautiful park. Thank you for sharing it and for giving us a sensory of sounds!

  9. Eileen

    Hello ,

    What a beautiful park, looks like a family has a lot to do there. The playground looks amazing. I like the make your own music. The flowers and fish pond are beautiful. It is a great place to visit. Take care, enjoy your day! Have a great week!

  10. Sallie

    Oh my gosh, that playground! I wanna be a kid again! It looks like a child could hide from “big people” for a long time in that tall structure. I sort of see parents calling over and over for an hour or so “ five more minutes, then we have to go home” , but maybe I am channeling my offsprings childhood …….. I remember when you posted about this amazing place before and I meant then to read more about it . This time I am going to do it… quite a gift to your City for sure.

  13. Barb

    What a great park for big kids and little kids! I wonder if that metal gets hot in summer? I miss seeing the koi at Denver Botanic. Your photos make it seem not very busy which is surprising.

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