Absolutely amazing! Looks great!

I hadn't really been jealous from the overhead shots further up the thread. I am now.

i'm still waiting to reserve judgement when i see it in person... but it just looks like way too much for me. i'm much more excited about our park that will have grass and trees and not just be chaos as kids go from one playground to another...

the 3rd picture above is the only one that makes me really want to go see it... the rest... nope.

i'm still waiting to reserve judgement when i see it in person... but it just looks like way too much for me. i'm much more excited about our park that will have grass and trees and not just be chaos as kids go from one playground to another...

the 3rd picture above is the only one that makes me really want to go see it... the rest... nope.

The Gathering Place is not an independent park, it will be part of the larger Riverparks system. If you want wide open grassy areas, Riverparks has that across the river and half a mile north at RiverWest Festival Park where events like Oktoberfest are held. If you want a mountain wilderness area with trails, you can have that too at Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness three miles south. There are more traditional less programmed park spaces all up and down the river. There’s the Route 66 Monument at the end of Riverparks downtown near Crybaby Hill. Riverparks has a soccer complex, a rugby field, disk golf course and an existing skate park in addition to the one at The Gathering Place. Riverparks is really just one huge park with all sorts of elements reaching more than 10 miles up and down the river with trails all along the banks linking it all together.

http://www.riverparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/River-Parks-Map.pdf

Some more pictures before the grand opening

Greenery around the Williams Lodge
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/39745194_10156559507608373_7636311759044739072_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=66d4483c6121fb384b88b4baaa2f90c9&oe=5C2F9BCA

Playground areas
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/40045444_10156559507933373_1884099283993493504_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=e47198229be90fe23eb5eec195b7c547&oe=5C3B504F

Boat dock
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/39984679_10156559508133373_8068406235189215232_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=f905bb315d6cd14debd0479bb3648f72&oe=5BF3CCE3

The pond
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/39210616_10100146291983609_6434389333335080960_n.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=9e1721d3073c09027d228e53159db0cd&oe=5C3B6792

New jogging/bike trail along the river (it looks like they are still working on the river bank areas which is why it is still fenced off)
https://scontent-ort2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/39984931_10156559508298373_7875018301825351680_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=41d03964b6663763a441922810084949&oe=5BF2F2C2

Skyline view from the cafe
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/services/mediarender/THISLIFE/022046773943/media/124072154037/medium/1535564962461/enhance

Incredible! I am so jealous of/happy for Tulsa.

This is a cool drone shot from June. Pete needs to take a trip up the turnpike and get some shots!

https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/services/mediarender/THISLIFE/022046773943/media/124087226576/medium/1536252829717/enhance

Opens on Saturday and will be a madhouse I'm sure.

Opens on Saturday and will be a madhouse I'm sure.

The Roots are playing a free show there at 5pm Saturday.

While I'd love to see the Roots for free, I can't even imagine what the traffic and crowds will be like, other than introvert hell. So... I'll pass...

While I'd love to see the Roots for free, I can't even imagine what the traffic and crowds will be like, other than introvert hell. So... I'll pass...

No doubt it's going to be crazy. One of the best things about this park is how closely it's connected with good trails. It's really safe and easy to bike the Midland Trail from downtown to the park. That would definitely be my route there when it's busy.

No doubt it's going to be crazy. One of the best things about this park is how closely it's connected with good trails. It's really safe and easy to bike the Midland Trail from downtown to the park. That would definitely be my route there when it's busy.

The Gathering Place opening and Comic Con all in one weekend.

I know it's not the same thing, but our park is also along our river, connected to its trails... not trying to one up anything, but it's been mention several times about gathering/river/trails, so thought I'd point that out...

True and a good point. I would say Tulsa’s trails are slightly more accessible to core areas though. Imagine if there was a separated bike trail from Scissortail to Paseo that passed several districts in between... that’s what Tulsa has. You can ride from 3rd Street, Pearl District, downtown, Cherry Street, and 18th & Boston on a separated, safe bike lane to the Gathering Place. That’s not even to mention the Riverside Trail, which is a more popular version of OKC’s river trail.

This park is a great great thing for Tulsa. I have a few friends(mid-30s) who live there and can honestly say that their entire outlook for Tulsa has been altered because of this project.

Also impressive is the framing that has been done leading up to the opening. I really think that it's a breakthrough moment for Tulsa. Amazing things could be built around this park and the momentum carrying over from this project could really push Tulsa forward. I believe that it will.

I can only hope that a booming Tulsa furthers the need for a better transit connection between Tulsa and OKC, and maybe even up to Kansas City...

I do think the importance of this park is being slightly overstated. It is an awesome looking park, don't get me wrong! But people are making it seem like it will have the same effect as like, Central Park. It isn't. And it isn't downtown. That is something OKC's has going for it. This park does take advantage of the better river (Arkansas vs. Canadian) so I will give it that. But to say this park is infinitely better than what OKC is getting is a far stretch.

Just my opinion.

I know it's not the same thing, but our park is also along our river, connected to its trails... not trying to one up anything, but it's been mention several times about gathering/river/trails, so thought I'd point that out...

Imagine if we had $350 million in a free gift... Scissortail Park and a good chunk of the river could be a lot different.

I've said this before but OKC doesn't get much in terms of free money gifts. We've had some sponsorships by corporations (boathouses, events, etc.) and Aubrey gave some personal money to Boathouse Row projects, but absolutely nothing close to what Kaiser (and others) have done for Tulsa or what seems to be more common in most other cities.

I do think the importance of this park is being slightly overstated. It is an awesome looking park, don't get me wrong! But people are making it seem like it will have the same effect as like, Central Park. It isn't. And it isn't downtown. That is something OKC's has going for it. This park does take advantage of the better river (Arkansas vs. Canadian) so I will give it that. But to say this park is infinitely better than what OKC is getting is a far stretch.

Just my opinion.

Legit. I get that.

I agree that it may be overstated but several of my Tulsa friends have made perspective changes for their families largely because of this park. ItÂ’s real to them and thatÂ’s a great thing. Fleeting high? Maybe. I donÂ’t think so. TheyÂ’re also... due to renewed optimism... discovering other things in Tulsa that have always been there but that they took for granted. I guess that happens in the real world too... and not just on OKCTalk. HA!

As far as our park... I canÂ’t wait! I wasnÂ’t thinking about a comparison. I take my kids to the Myriad Gardens now and Scissortail will only enhance that. Love that itÂ’s specifically downtown. Glad that itÂ’s on the SC line etc. All in. Nevertheless, The Gathering Place is a huge deal for Tulsa. Great stuff.

Legit. I get that.

I agree that it may be overstated but several of my Tulsa friends have made perspective changes for their families largely because of this park. ItÂ’s real to them and thatÂ’s a great thing. Fleeting high? Maybe. I donÂ’t think so. TheyÂ’re also... due to renewed optimism... discovering other things in Tulsa that have always been there but that they took for granted. I guess that happens in the real world too... and not just on OKCTalk. HA!

As far as our park... I canÂ’t wait! I wasnÂ’t thinking about a comparison. I take my kids to the Myriad Gardens now and Scissortail will only enhance that. Love that itÂ’s specifically downtown. Glad that itÂ’s on the SC line etc. All in. Nevertheless, The Gathering Place is a huge deal for Tulsa. Great stuff.

And I was not meaning that as a slight to the Gathering Place. It is more directed at the people who are using this park to further prosecute OKC. Both have their benefits. One accentuates its natural surroundings, and the other will fill a huge void in an otherwise blossoming south downtown area of OKC. Let's not let this park mean OKC is failing. That was all I was saying.

One huge difference between the Tulsa park and Myriad Gardens / Scissortail is that the latter already has hundreds of millions in construction projects rising all around with much more to come.

The Gathering Place mainly backs up to nice residential areas and therefore will not spur anywhere near the same level of new investment.

The parks are just very different in many ways, down to even the fundamental purpose.

And I was not meaning that as a slight to the Gathering Place. It is more directed at the people who are using this park to further prosecute OKC. Both have their benefits. One accentuates its natural surroundings, and the other will fill a huge void in an otherwise blossoming south downtown area of OKC. Let's not let this park mean OKC is failing. That was all I was saying.

Completely agree.

One huge difference between the Tulsa park and Myriad Gardens / Scissortail is that the latter already has hundreds of millions in construction projects rising all around with much more to come.

The Gathering Place mainly backs up to nice residential areas and therefore will not spur anywhere near the same level of new investment.

The parks are just very different in many ways, down to even the fundamental purpose.

Very true, that to me is one of the biggest detractors from this park is that its impact is somewhat constrained by its surroundings. Though to the south there is space for redevelopment which is part of "Phase 3". No details have been released but it has been discussed that it will include high density residential development where the Crow Creek apartments used to be located. I know some of the property owners around 18th & Boston 3/4 mile to the north think this will spur new development in that area since it's adjacent to the Midland Valley trail that connects the park to Cherry Street and downtown. There is also a proposal by Coury Hospitality to build a 7 story hotel at 21st & Boston:
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/services/mediarender/THISLIFE/022046773943/media/124088769366/medium/1536335481860/enhance

Phase 2 is the next big project on the south end of the site. This will transform the areas used for construction parking and laydown into additional parkland and includes the new $35 million Tulsa Children's Museum and a trail connecting the park to Brookside.

Children's Museum rendering
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/services/mediarender/THISLIFE/022046773943/media/124085543104/small/1536169495032/enhance

Park opens tomorrow with a parade and finishes with the concert. I got to take part in a sneak peek this week and was really impressed. The children’s play area was overwhelming and felt a bit discombobulated, but I know I would love it if I were 10 years old. everything else was great - my favorite part was the lounge docks on the pond.

Riverside is now open after being closed for 3 years during construction. The jogging/bike trail along the river has also reopened. The pedestrian bridge link to the west bank trail is still closed until the existing bridge is demolished and rebuilt starting next year. The bridge over Riverside below will connect the ped bridge to the MV trail which goes downtown.

https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/services/mediarender/THISLIFE/022046773943/media/124094162827/medium/1536594382922/enhance

My oldest son texted me saying 'Awesome' what they have done with Riverside after he saw the 'Gathering Place.' He still remembers the trips to Tulsa as a child fishing off the old bridge staying at the Camelot Inn. He drives the big rigs throughout the U.S. sees a lot of country. Loves Tulsa, he currently lives there; also commented on Kaiser's generosity.

A few more aerials from before the park opened

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/37073112_10160579506695524_4659418451004096512_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=3fbf5613514b6f3676ebdd8a4e74b772&oe=5C220346

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/37215768_10160579506320524_1833030069849686016_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=bc4fcd68714dec4a392fd5f974161367&oe=5C2DE54F

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/37221545_10160579506480524_8826467378817662976_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=234516a324504bef599c3ca1270d78f5&oe=5C162E8F

The boathouse at night
https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41308140_10155793515017006_7818639451541733376_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=93e1b762b0971c60e4b45dd967250468&oe=5C27E640

The playgrounds
https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41257840_10155793515157006_132089262467186688_o.jp g?_nc_cat=0&oh=b03755ca9a40fe901b3d2e729c187537&oe=5C179939

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/41144532_10155793514917006_5726323146630365184_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=f65d9117289c9c2829f10bb5396a3476&oe=5C23A7AE

World. Class.

Here's some phase II renderings and info.

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/tulsaworld.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/c5/5c531cb4-bd28-11e8-89f1-33132d0391bd/5ba3f427236a5.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C665
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/services/mediarender/THISLIFE/022046773943/media/124111430613/medium/1537475887/enhance

This is the new $45 million home for Tulsa Children's Museum Discovery Lab that is part of Phase II. It will be located on Riverside at 33rd, along Crow Creek. Construction should start next year and be done in 2020. Phase II along Crow Creek will take the park to within two blocks of the Brookside commercial district. Crow Creek is the "brook" in Brookside.

The new $60 million Zink Dam with a white water flume and the new $25 million pedestrian bridge should be done about the same time.

https://www.cityoftulsa.org/media/3977/pedestrianbridge2-sm.jpg

Do you have a link or more info on the Zink Dam project?

Do you have a link or more info on the Zink Dam project?

Zink Dam will be rebuilt while they are building the new pedestrian bridge. Here is the plan which doesn't show the latest curved design for the bridge:
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/services/mediarender/THISLIFE/022046773943/media/124122885623/large/1537996164/enhance

https://riverprojectstulsa.info/index.php/arkansas-river-low-water-dams-and-public-accessrecreational-improvements

I visited this amazing park last weekend. I recommend arriving via shuttle. Parking would've been a nightmare if we had tried to drive there ourselves. We parked at Riverspirit casino and took a bus. I'm sure it's better during the weekday.

I felt like I was at an amusement park minus the rides. There was no lack of things to do and your eyes never got bored. Everywhere you looked, there was beauty. The detail that went into this park is mindblowing.

Highly recommend!

Anyone been to this recently? I have a 7 and 2 year old and are always looking for outdoor things to do for a day. We're from the OKC area but curious where out of towners should park, easiest way to get there etc?

Anyone been to this recently? I have a 7 and 2 year old and are always looking for outdoor things to do for a day. We're from the OKC area but curious where out of towners should park, easiest way to get there etc?

it is an amazing place for children they will love it

Anyone been to this recently? I have a 7 and 2 year old and are always looking for outdoor things to do for a day. We're from the OKC area but curious where out of towners should park, easiest way to get there etc?

We drove through the park area and there seemed to be plenty of parking there at the park.

Anyone been to this recently? I have a 7 and 2 year old and are always looking for outdoor things to do for a day. We're from the OKC area but curious where out of towners should park, easiest way to get there etc?

Your best bet is to park in the Lots just south of the main part of the park. Can be accessed off of 31st street just east of riverside.

Anyone been to this recently? I have a 7 and 2 year old and are always looking for outdoor things to do for a day. We're from the OKC area but curious where out of towners should park, easiest way to get there etc?

I went last Sunday and the weather was brilliant and the park was extremely busy. Had no issues finding parking, plenty of parking down near the sports courts towards the south end. It was a nice 10-15 minute walk to the center of the park (boathouse, lodge, and restaurants/shops).

No dogs, no me. Sad because I want to go see the park, but I always have my dog with me when I drive through Tulsa on the way home from Grand Lake. I've never heard of a park that won't allow dogs. It's a park, it's not a precious gem.

You can't bring a dog on a leash??

You can't bring a dog on a leash??

Yup. Confirmed. No doggos. :(

I can understand the thinking due to the crush of people but...

I would have very little use for any park where I couldn't bring my very well behaved dogs on a lead.

I can understand the thinking due to the crush of people but...

I would have very little use for any park where I couldn't bring my very well behaved dogs on a lead.

I have NO use for one. My dog is a geriatric miniature dachshund and poses little threat. You can have dogs on the west side of Riverside in the old River Parks area, but I've been there, seen that. And, I've found the further away from the Arkansas River you are, the better. Not just in Tulsa, but everywhere. Big rivers stink (to me at least).

I'm glad I looked it up before I stopped and got chased away. Someone might have been cursed out.

Dogs are allowed on Wednesdays only. They are allowed in the rest of the Riverparks system on both banks.

https://www.gatheringplace.org/events/event/1392824/date/2019-05-15

So you can bring a loaded firearm but not a dog?

So you can bring a loaded firearm but not a dog?

no concealed or open carry. . . https://www.gatheringplace.org/planyourday

no concealed or open carry. . . https://www.gatheringplace.org/planyourday

A. the tulsa police were not enforcing this already
https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/gatheringplace/gathering-place-gun-ban-will-not-be-enforced-by-tulsa/article_d2635ccd-a58b-5843-b698-a9c22b1e97af.html

and B. concealed carry is now specificly allowed and open carry banned starting NOV 1st

https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/gov-kevin-stitt-signs-bill-allowing-concealed-carry-at-gathering/article_88c43369-7b3c-5575-b6e7-211e49af345d.html

weird to allow dogs on one day but not the others

weird to allow dogs on one day but not the others

I wondered if they would change that as things normalize at the park. It absolutely was the right call for the first several months, the crowds were huge and didn't need to add dogs to that mix.

I know my kids would hate it, they are scared of dogs...

The section that dogs are not allowed has tons of activities - there is not much to do with your dog there anyways. It’s not an open green space for folks to sit with their pets. It’s tons of slides, jungle Gyms, sports courts, etc.

I wondered if they would change that as things normalize at the park. It absolutely was the right call for the first several months, the crowds were huge and didn't need to add dogs to that mix.

I know my kids would hate it, they are scared of dogs...

Yeah, I didn't realize how many kids are scared of dogs until my daughter started hanging out with daycare friends. Tons of them are scared of dogs.

Although most dogs are fine, with the numbers of people out there there would be incidences and I am completely fine with them banning dogs because of that.

Water getting close to the trails by the Gathering Place but staying out of it, at least for now. Nearly to the bottom of the old pedestrian bridge that will be torn down over the next year.
https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/61029188_697113537395885_575972813953826816_n.jpg? _nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=4decd50508e9706c28218f8bb26287d9&oe=5D5AD472

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/61097385_697113637395875_6980193614102003712_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=1c543c388c8e9c4e8579bd7f1e117e08&oe=5D646937

I have NEVER seen the Arkansas river at this location this high. Simply incredible. Praying that here and other areas of the State will be spared additional significant rainfall so that the receeding can commence.

I have NEVER seen the Arkansas river at this location this high. Simply incredible. Praying that here and other areas of the State will be spared additional significant rainfall so that the receeding can commence.

flooding level releases from keystone lake started yesterday and go until sunday ..

Parts of the Gathering Place are now underwater.

Let's hope & pray for the best possible outcome as many areas in Oklahoma and the mid-west region are affected by record storms & rainfall we haven't seen in the region since the 80s.

keystone is now at record height and the inflow still excedes the exflow

release is now at 285000 CFS

which is flood level .. and if the catchment area gets any more rain they may have to go to 300000 cfs release which will match the 1986 tulsa flood level

keystone is now at record height and the inflow still excedes the exflow

release is now at 285000 CFS

which is flood level .. and if the catchment area gets any more rain they may have to go to 300000 cfs release which will match the 1986 tulsa flood level

Flood level through Tulsa is 105000 CFS. They are very far beyond flood levels. I can't believe how little coverage these floods have gotten in OKC. Ft Smith has closed basically every bridge into town. The flow through Muskogee hit over 650,000, about 3x Niagria Falls levels, or enough to completely fill Keystone lake every 8 hours.

Flood level through Tulsa is 105000 CFS. They are very far beyond flood levels. I can't believe how little coverage these floods have gotten in OKC. Ft Smith has closed basically every bridge into town. The flow through Muskogee hit over 650,000, about 3x Niagria Falls levels, or enough to completely fill Keystone lake every 8 hours.

Tulsa has largely been spared the brunt of the severe flooding up to this point, the notable exception being the River Spirit casino. The RiverParks were designed as a flood barrier and have worked in that capacity separating neighborhoods from the river, though the water has covered Riverside Dr in a few locations. Gathering Place has closed due to the danger being so close to swift-moving high water but the main portion of the park itself is not affected and was actually designed with sluice gates to redirect floodwaters away from the pond.

The biggest threats in the city are areas behind levees on the north and west sides of the river, and newer neighborhoods built in the flood plain around 121st & Delaware. Also anywhere a creek enters the river can back up, as well as storm sewers in areas close to the rising water.

There are plenty of other areas like Sand Springs and Muskogee that haven't been as lucky and will take awhile to rebuild once the water recedes.

Some of the now underwater sports courts and nature trail area along the river
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/61847874_2280919165505590_5621185834737729536_n.jp g?_nc_cat=1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=dac4186c4ea2bbb94425d77bc2d31192&oe=5D9BF95C

Other sports courts are dry
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/61593172_2280919268838913_8299248040015822848_n.jp g?_nc_cat=1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=50a47a30fab91635e78c58b72a43aef2&oe=5D8D7372

The rugby field near 38th & Riverside
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/61316675_2280919302172243_327248423164051456_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=1&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=067fb8b24ccc4ca4b3a8a1b396f37306&oe=5D53D854

The rest of the park is mostly unaffected
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/61564641_2280923282171845_5786964292393762816_n.jp g?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=e1d6825225453987da806210702f2c47&oe=5D5D762A

Further north by Blue Rose Cafe and the new Cosmopolitan apartments
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/61430763_2280923468838493_8320969252999790592_n.jp g?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=74ea4f148b13181bd66c1fd5f441750d&oe=5D9E9047

Overview
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/61505754_2280923512171822_8466419905321762816_n.jp g?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.xx&oh=eeca935cb9986e4705223814dfae1047&oe=5D5720AF

oh man... i hadn't really seen pictures of it yet. dang... that's going to take a lot of time and money to clean up