A giant new theme park in Tulsa, Oklahoma was recently voted ‘best new attraction’ by readers of USA Today. Gathering Place is the largest public park ever built with private funds in the US and it aims to revitalise the city, providing plenty of recreation space for children and adults of all ages.
Tulsa’s Gathering Place has been voted best new attraction by USA Today. Image by Shane Bevel
The 66-acre park has completely transformed an area of Tulsa overlooking the scenic Arkansas River into a dynamic, diverse and accessible space for all ages. The first phase of the park opened in September last year but there are plans to expand along the waterfront, covering a total area of 100 acres. Park officials say they want Gathering Place to be a space where everyone feels welcome.
There are waterways where visitors can cool down. Image by Shane Bevel
The park hosts 160 play structures with climbing towers, animal-shaped slides, gardens and waterways where visitors can cruise through dams, tunnels and streams. Over at the park’s Ramble Sensory Garden, there’s a focus on the principles of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) education with a labyrinth of hands-on elements to provoke curiosity. Meanwhile, Fairyland Forest and Adventure Playground is a space for younger children with age-appropriate play areas and tiny fairy houses.
Children from Patrick Henry Elementary and Legacy Charter School test out Ramble Sensory Garden. Image by Shane Bevel
For teens there’s a dedicated skate park and basketball, volleyball, soccer and hockey courts, all equipped with night lights. The park has also been designed to accommodate guests with disabilities and service animals are welcome. There are also two desensitisation spaces for children on the autism spectrum.
Activities at the park rotate weekly but curious minds will be kept busy through story time at the Reading Tree, show-and-tell sessions with local organisations, programs with Tulsa STEM Alliance, field trips and more. A wide range of cultural art, events and festivals are also available for adult guests.
Gathering Place is a recreation space for adults and children. Image by Shane Bevel
Indoor facilities include restrooms, a cafe, a two-storey fireplace, indoor lounge spaces and educational activity centres. The ONEOK Boathouse offers paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes by day and a destination-restaurant called the Boathouse.
Great Lawn and Adventure playground. Image by Shane Bevel
Gathering Place was brought to life in part by the George Kaiser Family Foundation and philanthropic billionaire George Kaiser who donated a large sum of money to the park. The George Kaiser Family Foundation also helped to raise a $100 million endowment for the park’s maintenance, which will be managed by the Tulsa’s River Parks Authority.
Fall colours in full bloom. Image by Shane Bevel
Gathering Place competed against 19 other contenders across the US, including the Orlando Starflyer in Florida, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Centre in New York and the Chicago Architecture Centre to ultimately claim the title of ‘best new attraction’ by readers of USA Today in the publisher’s ’10 Best’ poll in January.
See more of Gathering Place here.
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