While on vacation Days of the Dad came across the most fascinating parks we have ever seen called Gathering Place, also known to be Tulsa’s riverfront park located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (I’ll include park info at the bottom plus a Gathering Place map that you can download and print off to help navigate the humongous wonderland!)
Now in my humble opinion this park puts all the childhood parks I had to shame. This park makes me wish that Emperor Pilaf would have used the dragon balls to make me a child instead of his rival Goku if ya know what I mean lol. ( It’s part of Dragon Ball GT if you don’t. )
I mean this park is HUGE and I’m not putting that in all caps for just any reason. Gathering Place is a stagger 100 acres with 5 of those acres dedicated solely to children play areas. Plus it’s FREE thanks to The George Kaiser Foundation and more than 80 philanthropic companies in the area so that definitely helps out when you’re a parent.
Learn more about the park’s story at gatherplace.org/our-story
This playground area has everything a kid could want to play with from sand pits, places to climb, huge castle like towers they can run between along bridges, swings big enough for the whole family to have fun plus so much more there’s no way they’ll be bored!
One of the things I really love about this amazing park is how much they value our children’s education.
There’s story time at the reading tree daily, show and tell sessions with local organizations, programs with the Tulsa Stem Alliance and they even hold activities at the Oneok Boathouse everyday but Sunday 10 am-12 pm.
The park’s Sensory Garden is also focused around STEM education (Science – Technology – Engineering – Math) while the Fairyland Forest and Adventure Playground bring about your child’s creative potential.
You can view more information about the educational area for kids at gatheringplace.org/education
It does also hold areas for the parents or teenagers to enjoy too with sports courts, skate bowl and bmx pump tracks, running/biking trails and even fitness classes. Fancy right?
//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US&adInstanceId=89763695-a6bd-4ea1-8f99-6dcc7a448157On a side note if anyone reading this needs a fun and safe place for their kids to volunteer at the park is the perfect opportunity.
Just contact them by email at volunteer@gatheringplace.org or go online and make a volunteer profile at gatheringplace.org/volunteer.
Gathering Place host events all the time too by the way since they’re open pretty much every day of the year you can check out what’s going on now by clicking here.
Oh and one of the coolest things for the family I think is the boat rentals on Peggy’s Pond.
Available for use at a first-come, first-serve basis are kayaks, canoes and paddle-boats for everyone to use and have an amazing time on especially in the summer heat!
They do provide life jackets, so you don’t need to worry about any of the children drowning or having to go through a Titanic reenactment. For more information on this like the times they are open for use or rules visit gatheringplace.org/boats.
Now if your significant other is anything like mine then they will be wondering the same thing,
“Where can I get something to eat and/or drink around here?”
This park has that covered too astoundingly, which gives it a huge thumbs up in my book, providing patrons with three different choices.
There’s the Redbud Cafe that provides coffee, other hot drinks, baked goods or something sweet to eat. I consider it their version of Starbucks and it definitely will warm you up if you visit in the winter.
If your looking for a light snack that doesn’t take you away from the beautiful nature that’s out there, plus it’s a great place for the kids to still play around while they eat. Then I recommend trying out The Patio, where you can sit under the trees while eating a variety of different snacks and lunch foods. This place holds up to around an astounding 200 people so there is plenty of space no matter how many members of the family come!
Last but certainly not least is their newest restaurant, Vista at the Boathouse. This freaking cool looking restaurant has floor to glass ceiling walls with breathtaking views while you sit down to dine. Hint: Perfect place for a date fellas! Great food with a view!
Speaking of which, they also have some fantastic art in the park to take that same person as well as take the kids to show them how wonderfully creative the human race can become.
They showcase artists from Oklahoma plus national and international artists with projects ranging from funiture, to murals and sculptures learn more at gatheringplace.org/art-in-the-park.
Now as promised here are the park details and a free printable map just for you!
Park Hours:
Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sports Realm, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Daily
Park Dining Areas:
Vista at the Boathouse
Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last seating at 8 p.m.)
Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m
Redbud Cafe
Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m to 10 p.m.
The Patio
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily
*Extended hours for events. Hours subject to change.
They have a free app thanks to the AARP Oklahoma and a handy “Plan Your Visit” button on their website, both of which will give you any information you might want to know!
Hope I’ve provided all the information you might need to have a really fun experience at this amazingly built park like my family did (Leave a like if so please).
Your free map is bellow and just know I think you’re doing an great job as a parent!
Days of the Dad 
I love this park!!!
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That does look and sound like a fun place! Too bad I live too far away.
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It was a fantastic place to visit. We’re hoping to go again soon 😁
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Nice.
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