Want a place you can take the whole family and have fun and relax, for FREE? Yes, I said for free. Grab a blanket, picnic basket, your family and head to the Gathering Place in Tulsa, OK. This is an amazing place that the kids can run and play to get energy out. Also a great place to take family pictures, senior pictures, and prom pictures. I am imagining kids birthday parties and family reunions during the summer. The Gathering Place recently opened on September 8, 2018 and is 100 acre, river front property. I love how they have everything laid out, from the rock formations to the activities available. There is also wide open spaces that you can play frisbee, fly kites, and play tag football, and lawn concerts. A definite must-visit if you come to Tulsa.
At the time that we went to the Gathering Place, it was Spring Break (third week of March) for Oklahoma and Arkansas and it was the semi-finals for NCAA March Madness (in Tulsa). The temperatures were cool in the evening and very nice in the afternoon. The place was busy, but they handled it like champs! We noticed all the smiles and laughter of the kids and the parents. We did not witness any fussing, fighting, or rudeness while we were there. As a matter of fact, the Tulsa police was having fun with the kids too – Thank you Tulsa Police Department.
the Gathering Place, during Spring Break
Chapman Adventure Playground
They have a marvelous playground that can handle an extremely large amount of children. Talk about a great place for an outdoor birthday party. Sugar them up with cake and let them run (LOL).
Boat in sandbox 
Tower with suspension bridge
Rocking boat 
Having fun in the sandbox
On the way to the playground 
Swan Slide
I love how the architects and creators of this park allows kids to use there imagination with the equipment on the playground (i.e. Swan slides and elephant slides, etc).
Elephant Slide
Suspension bridge and tower 
Walking the suspension bridge
ONEOK Boathouse
The Boathouse is sophisticated architecture as well. I imagine this space being used for fundraising galas, family get-togethers, photo opportunities and much more.
I loved the rocking chairs all around the edge where you can relax and look over the whole park. The deck of the Boathouse has glass walls all around the outside so that you have unobstructed views of everything. As a matter of fact, the video from above was taken from the Boathouse deck. The open airiness and strategically placed covering for shade made it much cooler and allowed a slight breeze. It was a great place to take a break.
Starting in the Spring of 2019, you will be able to enjoy kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats on the Peggy’s pond (located at the base of the Boathouse).
Cabinet of Wonders for The Gathering Place
In the basement part of the Boathouse is a unique and interesting little museum. It is called the Cabinet of Wonders. You will find an mixture of items such as musical instruments, clocks, doll houses, a life size horse skeleton, antique hammers, dolls, stones and sea shells, funnels, and so much more that you wouldn’t imagine in a museum setting. This unique collection was created by internationally renowned Mark Dion.
You can read more about Mark Dion and the Cabinet of Wonders here. https://www.gatheringplace.org/cabinet-of-wonder
There are so many wonderful activities that happen all year round here. View their webpage before visiting. https://www.gatheringplace.org/
We definitely want to come back and visit. I’m thinking next time I want to see how it transforms into a Winter Wonderland. No matter what time of the year, don’t miss visiting The Gathering Place!
Photos by Cilla Green and Theodore Green
To reach us, please feel free to email us at teacherescapes@gmail.com
For more Tulsa adventures, check out our trip to the Oklahoma Aquarium.
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