Gathering Place In Oklahoma Voted Best City Park In 2024 By USA TODAY
By Ashley|Published April 26, 2024
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Ashley
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Ashley has lived in Oklahoma for 30 years and is the Oklahoma staff writer for onlyinyourstate.com. When she isn't writing about Oklahoma, she enjoys visiting the beach and exploring new areas.
Gathering Place in Tulsa has earned the prestigious title of USA TODAY’s Best City Park for 2024, a testament to its excellence and the community’s affection for this urban oasis. Selected by an expert panel and USA TODAY 10Best editors, Gathering Place stood out among 20 city parks across the United States before clinching the top spot through a public vote. This accolade celebrates Gathering Place not just as a park, but as a vibrant heart of the Tulsa community.
Opened to the public on September 8, 2018, and created by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Gathering Place spans 66.5 acres along the scenic Arkansas River in Tulsa.
The park's design aimed to create an inclusive green space that encourages relaxation and community engagement. It offers an array of features including more than 6 million gallons of water, 80 species of trees, cozy fireplaces, a boathouse, and a sensory garden, all free of charge.
One of the park’s most dynamic attractions is the Chapman Adventure Playground. This five-acre wonderland lets children's imaginations soar with its signature towers, slides, climbing features, and interactive play areas like a sandlot and water elements.
The playground is strategically surrounded by large shade trees, providing a cool respite for both children and caregivers from the summer heat, with generous seating and convenient access to amenities. There's also the Laredo Slide Vale that offers more slides for guests of all ages.
For those looking to add a splash of adventure to their visit, Peggy's Pond offers free kayak and pedal boat rides, adding to the park's appeal as a destination that blends natural beauty with recreational fun.
It's a place where every corner offers a new experience and every visit feels like a celebration of the great outdoors, right in the heart of the city.
Located on the east side of Williams Lodge, The Patio serves up a quick-service dining menu in an idyllic outdoor setting under the canopy of mature trees. With seating for approximately two hundred guests, it's the ideal spot to unwind with a meal, snack, or refreshing cold beverage after exploring the park.
Gathering Place is also home to a variety of other amenities, including sports courts, a skate park, BMX tracks, and Willow Beach, offering endless entertainment and exploration opportunities. Each of these features is designed to enhance the visitor experience, catering to both the adventurous and those seeking tranquility within the urban landscape.
