Heading to Oklahoma’s capital city, Tulsa? Bring the family: the city’s Gathering Place riverfront park is open and ready for visitors. Spanning nearly 100 acres along the east bank of the Arkansas River, the park was constructed with sustainability in mind and features local materials such as Wildhorse Swirl Oklahoma sandstone, quarried nearby in McCurtain County.
Adventure Playground © Shane Bevel Photography
Gathering Place offers a wide range of family-friendly attractions designed to spark imagination and encourage outdoor activity. Chapman Adventure Playground covers five acres and includes play gardens, water features, signature towers and climbing elements that appeal to children of many ages. The Spiral Connector links areas of the park with seven towers, a suspension bridge and interactive puzzles. For climbers, the Skywalk Forest features netted pathways and climbing elements that add a sense of adventure.
Young visitors can enjoy the Volcanoville toddler area, while the Land of the River Giants provides larger slides and cradle swings. Little explorers will love the Fairyland Forest, complete with tiny houses and whimsical details. The Ramble Sensory Garden integrates science, technology, engineering and math concepts into tactile, discovery-based play. The Reading Tree, shaded by a striking cottonwood, hosts sing-alongs and story times for families. Water play is plentiful at Charlie’s Water Mountain, where spray zones, mist areas, tunnels, dams, streams and a central water plaza keep kids cool and entertained.
For a calmer pace, rent paddle boats, kayaks or canoes at the ONEOK Boathouse and explore Peggy’s Pond. The boathouse also houses Vista at the Boathouse, a restaurant with sweeping views from its Overlook Deck and terrace—ideal for taking in the river and city skyline. Throughout the park, visitors can relax at the Picnic Grove or spread out on the Cottonwood Lawn beneath The Reading Tree.
Whether you’re seeking active play, nature exploration or a relaxed riverside meal, Gathering Place delivers a thoughtfully designed mix of attractions and amenities that make it a standout destination for families visiting Tulsa.