About This Playground
🌳 The Gathering Place in Tulsa, Oklahoma features multiple playground areas designed to inspire creativity and adventure for children of all ages. The playground areas include Chapman Adventure Playground, which spans five acres with towers, bridges, and interactive water features, and QuikTrip Great Lawn, which offers open space for play and recreation.
Visitor Experience: The playground areas at Gathering Place consistently receive exceptional reviews, with visitors praising the variety of play equipment, the thoughtful design that accommodates different age groups, and the overall cleanliness and maintenance of the facilities.>
More about this playground
Playground Type
Address
2650 S John Williams Way, Tulsa, OK 74114, USA
Phone
(918) 779-1000
+1 918-779-1000
Website
www.gatheringplace.orgCoordinates
36.12516, -95.98402
Hours of Operation
Hours may vary during holidays. Please call ahead for confirmation.
Playground Features
Age Suitability
The playground areas cater to children of all ages, with designated zones for toddlers (2-5 years) and older children (5-12 years). The Chapman Adventure Playground offers age-appropriate challenges for different developmental stages.
Equipment Available
Features include climbing towers reaching up to 5 stories high, suspension bridges, slides of various heights and speeds, water play areas, sensory gardens, sand play areas, swings, tunnels, and interactive musical instruments.
Shaded Areas
The playground areas offer abundant shade from mature trees throughout the park, as well as strategically placed shade structures over play equipment and seating areas to provide protection from the sun.
Seating For Parents
Numerous benches, picnic tables, and seating walls are positioned around the playground areas with clear sightlines to play equipment, allowing parents to comfortably supervise their children.
Restroom Availability
Clean, well-maintained family restrooms are available near all playground areas, with changing tables and accessible facilities.
Drinking Fountains
Multiple drinking fountains and water bottle filling stations are located throughout the playground areas, designed at different heights for accessibility to all users.
Safety Accessibility
Fencing
While the playground areas are not fully enclosed, strategic landscaping and natural barriers create safe boundaries in most areas. Toddler zones have more defined enclosures for added security.
Surface Material
The playground surfaces feature a mix of rubberized impact-absorbing material, engineered wood fiber, and specialized sand in different play zones, all designed to enhance safety while providing varied tactile experiences.
Ada Accessibility
All playground areas are designed with accessibility in mind, featuring ramps to elevated play structures, accessible swing options, and ground-level interactive components that are wheelchair accessible.
Cleanliness Maintenance
The playgrounds are meticulously maintained with daily cleaning protocols, regular equipment inspections, and prompt repairs. Staff members regularly monitor the playground areas throughout operating hours.
Additional Amenities
Nearby Parking
Free parking is available in multiple lots surrounding the park, with dedicated accessible spaces close to playground entrances. During peak times, overflow parking is available with shuttle service.
Pet Policy
Leashed pets are welcome in most areas of the park, but are prohibited in the playground zones for safety and hygiene reasons. Designated pet-friendly areas and water stations for pets are available elsewhere in the park.
Bike Racks
Multiple bike rack stations are positioned near playground entrances, encouraging active transportation to the park.
Nearby Food Options
The park features Williams Lodge Café and several seasonal food kiosks offering family-friendly dining options within walking distance of the playground areas. Picnic areas are also available for those bringing their own food.
Sports Areas
The park includes basketball courts, volleyball courts, and open lawn spaces for informal sports activities adjacent to the playground areas.
Walking / Biking Trails Nearby
An extensive network of walking and biking trails connects the playground areas to other park features and links to the Tulsa River Parks trail system along the Arkansas River.
Community Reviews
User Submitted Photos
Visitors regularly share photos showcasing children enjoying the diverse play structures, scenic views of the playground integrated with natural landscapes, and family gatherings at the park facilities.
Recent Reviews
Recent reviews highlight the extraordinary creativity of the playground design, the cleanliness of facilities, and the inclusive nature of the play spaces that accommodate children of all abilities and interests.
Crowd Levels
Weekends and holidays typically see higher attendance, particularly between 10am-4pm. Weekday mornings and late afternoons generally offer a quieter experience with fewer visitors.
Special Events
The park hosts regular family-friendly events near the playground areas, including seasonal festivals, storytelling sessions, outdoor concerts, and educational programming throughout the year.
User Experience
Entrance Fee
The Gathering Place, including all playground areas, is completely free to enter and enjoy, making it accessible to families of all economic backgrounds.
Space For Groups
The playground areas and surrounding spaces can accommodate large groups comfortably. For organized group visits, the park offers reservation options for picnic areas adjacent to the playgrounds.
Nature Connection
The playgrounds are thoughtfully integrated with the natural landscape, featuring native plantings, water features, and natural materials that connect children with the environment while they play.
Noise Level
As expected for a popular playground, noise levels can be high during peak times, but the spacious design and landscaping help buffer sound and create pockets of relative quiet within the park.
Aesthetic Design
The playground design reflects a harmonious blend of artistic elements, natural materials, and innovative play structures that complement the overall park aesthetic while stimulating children's imagination.
Safety Regulations
Security Presence
Park security staff regularly patrol the playground areas, and surveillance cameras monitor public spaces for added safety. Emergency call boxes are strategically placed throughout the park.
Rules Restrictions
Rules include adult supervision requirements for young children, no smoking or alcohol consumption, proper use of equipment, and respecting the rights of all park users. Rules are clearly posted at playground entrances.
First Aid Availability
Park staff are trained in basic first aid, and first aid stations are located near the playgrounds. For more serious concerns, the park has protocols in place with quick access for emergency services.
Community Interaction
Community Activities
The playground areas serve as gathering spaces for community-building activities including children's workshops, parent meetups, and seasonal celebrations that foster connections among families.
Social Interaction
The playground design encourages collaborative play and social interaction among children of different ages and abilities, with spaces that promote cooperative games and shared experiences.
Sustainability Environment
Eco Friendly Practices
The playground areas incorporate sustainable design principles, including native landscaping that requires minimal watering, natural drainage systems, and use of recycled materials in construction.
Renewable Energy
Solar panels power some lighting and water features in the playground areas, demonstrating renewable energy applications to young visitors.
Walkability Bike Access
The park encourages car-free access with excellent connectivity to neighborhood walking paths, city bike lanes, and public transportation stops near park entrances.
Reviews
Harsha Priya
3 weeks ago
Was not crowdy at all. Our tour lasted very short but this place was one worth visiting. It’s a mini fun land. Great architecture with amazing view of gardenscapes. Connects through many adventurous trails and the river by a bridge. Needs a little more development regarding water game. Apart from that I loved this place as it’s a place for everyone kids, adults and elders. Lovely place for picnic and family time. 🍀☺️😇
View on GoogleLinda A. Pham
3 months ago
This is the BEST FREE public park ever! Clean facility, not crowded (we came on Thursday 10/10/24), family friendly activities, sweet staff! We came all the way from Houston, TX to explore this park without having any expectations. Our kids loved this! I'm 36 and I enjoyed playing at this park! Wished Houston could have a park like this. This is a MUST VISIT for anyone who's coming to Tulsa!
View on GoogleChristine Kehr
3 months ago
The Gathering Place is a public park in Tulsa, located along the Arkansas River. Entrance to the park is free with indoor and outdoor casual dining available. The food venues were closed when we visited. We arrived on a steamy August evening just before sundown. We had limited time so I assume we missed much of the park's features. We also did not know about the park. We visited the Golden Driller statute where a friendly Tulsa resident told us about the park. I highly recommend the park for adults and families, with or without children. It is a must-see destination.
View on GoogleChristopher Hilley
2 months ago
I really love this place. They've done so many renovations to it and it's a big place, great for families to visit. The trails within the park connect to the larger trail system along the Arkansas river, and to the new pedestrian bridge which is a highly accessible way to cross the river. This bridge connects to more trails on the west end of the Arkansas River.
View on GoogleBryttne Allen
5 months ago
I love coming to Gathering Place because of how peaceful the environment is. It’s family friendly environment. There is also food available in the park. I’ve had several picnics at the park. On Wednesdays, I believe, they allow you to bring your dog(s). Also they have a user friendly app that can be accessed in the App Store.
View on Google